Mizzou Links, 8-26-08
by Bill C. on Aug 26, 2008 6:02 AM CDT
in News
Email
Print
Feel it? Feel those goosebumps? IT'S THE FIRST GAME-WEEK OFFICIAL RELEASE OF THE YEAR. WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
TIGER DEFENSE EXPECTED TO BE STOUT IN 2008
The Tiger defense was young overall to begin the 2007 season, and through its 4 non-conference games to open the season, it didn’t fare all that well statistically. It allowed 435 yards and 34 points to Illinois in the season opener, and then 534 yards and 25 points at Ole Miss.
After that point, however, Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus’ young pups really began to play well. After the rough start, the Tiger defense held their next 8 opponents under 400 yards of total offense – including sterling efforts against #25 Nebraska (297 total yards, 6 points) and #22 Texas Tech (380 yds., 10 pts.), which represented season-low yard and point totals for both. The defense closed the season with a bang, as well, as they shut down the high-powered offensive attack of Arkansas, holding the #25-ranked Razorbacks to 361 yards and just 7 points, one game after Arkansas scored 50 points to win at #1 LSU.
Here’s a look at at where Mizzou ranked (and what it was allowing per game) in its first 4 games (all non-conference games), versus where it stood in Big 12-play (8 regular-season conference games only)…
And from fightingillini.com's release...
Illinois looks to defend its back-to-back Big Ten rushing titles as five of the top six rushers from a year ago return. The Illini will have a big hole to fill as single-season rushing leader Rashard Mendenhall (129.3 ypg) is now with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, but quarterback Juice Williams (58.1 ypg) and last year's backup Daniel Dufrene (22.6 ypg) return. Williams broke the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback for the second consecutive year and Dufrene averaged an impressive 6.3 yards per carry, including a 100-yard game in the upset of No. 1 Ohio State. Added into the mix at running back will be redshirt freshman Troy Pollard and true freshmen Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure.
Monday PC reports:
- PowerMizzou: "A couple of more freshmen could make their debuts soon. Pinkel said that receiver Wes Kemp will definitely see action this season and safety Kenji Jackson could still lose his redshirt. Jerrell Jackson and Michael Egnew will also play at wideout."
- Dave Matter: "Buried within a long discussion of the spread offense, Pinkel offered this interesting thought: He said if the coaching staff had been as experienced with the spread offense in 2005 as much as it is now, it would have tailored more of a West Virginia-type option attack around Brad Smith. Not sure I’ve ever heard that actually verbalized by an MU coach." (DM's also got an updated depth chart.)
Jeremy Maclin: stronger, faster, quicker. THAT should give you goosebumps.
It's Like Father, Unlike Son!
So what to expect on Saturday night when No. 6 Missouri opens the 2008 season against No. 20 Illinois at 7:30 in St. Louis and on ESPN?
A Missouri defense that is not making like Simple Simon.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is ready to unleash the hounds. Adding complexity and diabolic disguise, this Missouri defense intends to not only bark, but also bite.
“With the experience that we had coming back,” Eberflus said of a defense that returns 10 of 11 starters from the Cotton Bowl victory over Arkansas, “we were able to do a little bit more during two-a-days in terms of install. Improve on our menu in terms of what we want to pull off during the course of the season.”
Translated: Missouri will blitz left when Illinois is fearful of a rush from the right. The Tigers will make it look as if a zone is open when a defender is ready to close for an interception.
That is the way the MU defense closed out last season. That is the way it plans to start this one.
“We’ve got to give our offense the ball,” said defensive end Stryker Sulak. “Our offense is great. They do things with it.”
You can catch some nice audio Pinkel/Daniel audio goodness here. Meanwhile, Tiger Talk had itself one heckuva crowd last night. Too bad it's at Buffalo Wild Wings--the root of all evil--this year.
Dave Matter's got his weekly Big 12 notes.
Another day, another "the skeptics are believing" column.
The Chicago Tribune has a couple Braggin' Rights-releated articles: Illinois tries to build on last year, and Daniel standing tall at QB for Mizzou (notice in the web address it has the words "Chase Daniels Misssouri Quarterback"? Sigh...at least a copy editor caught it in the article, I guess).
Finally, it's not Michael Snaer, but Mizzou Basketball did get its second commit of the 2009 class yesterday: 6'10 faceup PF Keith Dewitt. This is a pretty good get. You hope that the second big-man in the class is a bit more of a banger, but Dewitt had offers from NC State, OU, OSU, Miami-FL, Marquette, and others, so there's nothing not to like here. Get Michael "Now With a Fifth Star!" Snaer and the aforementioned banger, and you've got yourself a pretty damn nice class, Mike Anderson. Steve Walentik's got more.
21 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Also from the Missourian
Tiger’s Lair signups were an absolute zoo yesterday.
http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman
Good to hear we backed a winner :-)
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
Dare I say...+1
Mango Habenero is turbo clutch on an NFL Sunday.
"One man, five scoops." -- shroomer
oh god...dont get him started on BWW's
He had some terrible customer service experience there, and The Boy does hold a grudge very well….
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
AMAZINGLY bad customer service experience...
…but I’ll do The Beef a favor and not elaborate. AMAZINGLY bad.
http://www.rockmnation.com
Thrust nunchuk upward!
Another yea vote for Mango Habanero
Some of their other sauces are quite tasty, too. At least if the service is slow there you could just go get your drinks from the bar. That’ll teach ’em.
It was a take-out order....
…I paid, waited for 20 minutes, asked somebody about my order (since three people behind me had gotten their food), was told “I’ll check on it” by 5 different people who then disappeared or came back out with somebody else’s food, asked for my money back after 50 minutes, had to go through a 10-minute refund ordeal in which the manager never actually looked at me or apologized, and then when my wife heard what happened and called to excoriate the manager, he apologized and promised to put a $50 gift card in the mail…and didn’t.
And I can’t tell you how much I miss the Spicy Garlic wings. Those things ruled. But a man’s gotta have principles…or something…
http://www.rockmnation.com
Thrust nunchuk upward!
something about a nose, your face, and spite
If the manager and staff were that inept, they’ve since been fired. If it’s been at least 3 months, you gotta give them 1 more shot. If they fark you over again, screw ’em.
If you’re ever in KC, though, we’re going to the one by my house. They never mess up my order, never take too long, and did I mention it’s a Buffalo Wild Wings?
except...
…EVERY employee was inept, and this was the NEW management.
http://www.rockmnation.com
Thrust nunchuk upward!
See....I told you he held a grudge
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
I was there for an hour!
And the manager looked annoyed at me for asking for my money back!
http://www.rockmnation.com
Thrust nunchuk upward!
If only you hated Dennis Harper this much :-)
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
From the Illini perspective
Guys, from reading a lot of the Illini stuff (and hearing Illini people on the radio in Kansas City), I’m beginning to worry more and more about this game. I was already worried about the game, but was more confident the last few weeks. But now, as we lead up, the confidence I’m hearing from the Illini camp is kind of speaking volumes.
Please, please someone convince me that this is false bravado from the Zooker. I mean, these people are acting as if it’s a foregone conclusion that their d-line is going to sack Daniel on every play and that Juice Williams has all of a sudden developed Tom-Brady-like accuracy and touch.
Maybe it’s just the pessimist in me, but I’m already contemplating how I’m going to deal with the “Choker” label from kU fans next week. Somebody bring me back off the ledge. Boy, I need you to whip up a spreadsheet real quick to show me how many points Mizzou will win by. :)
Was once caught putting at night ... with the 15-year old daughter of the dean
Relax.
Missouri is the better all around team, period. That should be all the solace you need.
"One man, five scoops." -- shroomer
To further elaborate.
Unless Mizzou’s defense is completely and totally overrated, and Illinois’ running game is completely and totally underrated, Mizzou will be able to stop the Illini offense. That is, unless you have a ton of faith in Juice Williams’ arm, which I don’t think anyone does.
"One man, five scoops." -- shroomer
There's another thing that has me a little worried ...
… last Friday I believe, ESPNU showed a replay of the Illinois-Ohio State game from last year. Williams was a beast in that game with the read-option and PAP off of the read-option. Granted, his passes all looked like lollipops to wide (and I mean WIDE open) receivers. But it still started playing with my mind a little bit about how they could possibly do that to Mizzou.
I agree with you ght that Mizzou is the better all around team. I’m just having trouble letting go of some of the “same old sorry ass Rams” thinking that permeates my mind from time to time.
Was once caught putting at night ... with the 15-year old daughter of the dean
by mitch cumstein on Aug 26, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Illinois is good, but ...
As a Chicagoan, I can tell you this: Juice Williams (who went to school here) can be dangerous, but he’s not McNabb or Vince Young yet. I don’t think Mizzou wins by 21, but clearly MU is the superior team. Limiting Arrelious Benn is a must, though it should be an easier task given Mendenhall is gone. And if it comes down to a kicker, the Tigers have a huge edge there.
If Ron Zook was half the coach Illinois hopes he is....
he would still be at Florida
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Rock M Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
