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"Without giving out a scouting report for our next opponent, we're going to spread the ball out a little bit, do some different things," he told reporters during his news conference. "Change the style of play. There's a lot of things on offense we've done well, running the football. We want to have a different passing game. We want to be more creative. Find ways for the quarterback to get the ball downfield throwing it."
However, Missouri’s top objective won’t change. That’s stopping Fournette, the SEC’s leader in rushing yards per game last season and this season.
"We’ll stick with" the game plan, Odom said. "The great thing about press conferences is, you can say a lot of things. We’ll see what happens on Saturday. We’ll prepare, and I’m sure that they’ll be wrinkles in there. There’s some unknown like there always is, and we’ll have to do a great job on trying to make an adjustment."
LSU has definitely created some potholes for itself offensively this year. The Tigers have scored more than 23 points just once, and in both losses they were held in the teens. In terms of single-game percentiles, they've been better than 53 percent just once. But very little of that has been on Fournette. He has been hobbled by injury, but he still had 23 carries for 138 yards against Wisconsin (despite a slow start), 28 for 147 against Mississippi State, and 16 for 101 against Auburn.
The issue for LSU last week against Auburn was what happened when they fell behind schedule. On passing downs, Danny Etling was 5-for-9 for just 48 yards with three sacks. If that happens again on Saturday, offensive tweaks or no, Mizzou might have a chance.
I would expect an early play-action bomb attempt or two. Beyond that, I would expect Fournette and Fournette and Fournette.
4 days to LSU
The Trib (Blake Toppmeyer): Barry Odom meets the press: Week 5
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou notes: Tigers embrace Tiger Stadium challenge
PowerMizzou: Monday Mizzou Notebook
Scout.com: Mizzou Media Day Notebook: Preparing To Face New-Look LSU
It's nice when someone else is dealing with distractions...
Post-Dispatch (BenFred): LSU a wounded team as Mizzou game approaches
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou can relate to LSU's midseason chaos
KC Star: How will Les Miles’ firing impact Mizzou’s chances?
KC Star: Mizzou (kind of) feels LSU’s pain as distractions mount in Baton Rouge
Senior linebacker Michael Scherer admitted the recent events surrounding LSU, including having a game-winning touchdown at the end of regulation versus Auburn overturned by replay review and the arrest/suspension of starting defensive Davon Godchaux, reminded him of last year’s turmoil in Columbia.
Of course, it’s also nice to be on the other side.
"I don’t want there to be any asterisk next to whatever happens on Saturday," Scherer said.. "The more news that comes out, the more upset I get about it."
Drew Lock getting attention
The Advocate: From The Other Side: Missouri’s Drew Lock, one of nation’s top passers, poses threat to LSU defense
Post-Dispatch: Tiger Takeaways: Lock, Moore connection soars again
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KC Star: Mizzou’s Ish Witter reacts to schoolmate Jose Fernandez’s death
Brantley's post-Mizzou career finally begins
The Trib: Former MU player Harold Brantley plays in first game at Northwest
The Puerto Rico Tip-Off, Brought to You by the City of Orlando
MUtigers.com: Tire Pros Puerto Rico Tip-Off Changing Venue for 2016 Tournament
Post-Dispatch: Puerto Rico basketball tournament moved to Orlando
#MizzouMade
Shane Ray was dominant on Sunday.
DenverBroncos.com: Bengals see Shane Ray's 'Bad' side with three-sack performance
Denver Post: Shane Ray busts out for Broncos with three sacks
And Kony Ealy's a good dude.
NFL Player Engagement: Panthers DE Kony Ealy is a champion for children with disabilities
The Volleyball offense has come alive
MUtigers.com: Mizzou's Kan Named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week