Rock M Nation - Mizzou Football in 2020, Week 9 vs. South Carolina GamecocksA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2020-11-24T09:00:00-06:00http://www.rockmnation.com/rss/stream/213349162020-11-24T09:00:00-06:002020-11-24T09:00:00-06:00Beyond the Box Score: Win your clunkers
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<p>Missouri won with 53 scholarship players. That’s really all you need to take away from this.</p> <p id="DrTTvq">Missouri won a football game over a peer conference foe (and actual SEC rival). That’s important, don’t forget that fact as we go through this piece! But there are some other facts to keep in mind:</p>
<ul>
<li id="jC6l9S">South Carolina lost their head coach</li>
<li id="xHO7NL">Missouri hadn’t played in three weeks</li>
<li id="mzg1rJ">South Carolina was missing three of its best players, all in the secondary</li>
<li id="YNqLcH">Missouri technically fielded a 56-man scholarship roster but, in actuality, was much fewer than that</li>
</ul>
<p id="Wad67K">The point is: there’s not a lot of things you can take away from this game that you can project for the rest of this season or even long term in the Drinkwitz regime. Yes, maybe you can see that “Drink can rally the troops in crisis!” or “He’s undefeated coming off of a bye week!” or whatever, but realistically, that’s about as much as you can read.</p>
<p id="GCsTgn">The old adage is that college football teams are different every week, and that’s certainly true in the season of COVID. Even with a full healthy roster in a normal year, there’s a game or two where a team just doesn’t have it and needs to battle to win. A clunker of a game where the schemes aren’t working, the hits aren’t coming, and the rhythm is all off. Regardless, good teams win their clunkers. And Missouri won a clunker on Saturday. Let’s get to the advanced box score:</p>
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<figcaption>Advanced Box Score</figcaption>
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<p id="gjyWym">It’s pretty astonishing how even this game was: both teams had 11 possessions, both threw 33 passes, both faced 16 3rd downs, both threw an interception, and both basically ran 6 plays per possession. The differences were few but ultimately made the difference at the end of the game...but first, let’s revisit the key stats to the game.</p>
<h2 id="zhfgo4"><strong>Missouri’s Offense vs. South Carolina’s Defense</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>Missouri’s Offense vs. South Carolina’s Defense</figcaption>
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<h3 id="JjtyM4"><strong>Explosive Plays</strong></h3>
<p id="oMHDQl">Without a starting secondary and a propensity of getting burned, I expected Missouri’s offense to be able to <em><strong>generate 7-8 big plays </strong></em>on the beleaguered Gamecock defense. The Tigers were able to generate six:</p>
<ul>
<li id="d6TV9T">Keke Chism’s 21-yard catch in the 1st quarter</li>
<li id="1ODoHX">Tauskie Dove’s beautiful 20-yard touchdown grab, also in the 1st quarter</li>
<li id="jmC1Fv">Connor Bazelak’s 14-yard run in the 2nd quarter</li>
<li id="t9j9NL">Tyler Badie’s 28-yard WHEEL ROUTE reception in the 2nd quarter</li>
<li id="xwmkgm">Keke Chism’s 16-yard catch and run in the 2nd quarter</li>
<li id="ShonDH">Barrett Banister’s wide-open 28-yard catch in the 3rd quarter</li>
</ul>
<p id="2aLwmK">Now, if these were normal circumstances, I would be concerned that all but one of those explosive plays came in the 1st half and only one came on the ground. But they weren’t normal circumstances so I’m not overly concerned.</p>
<p id="tToRDl"><strong>Winner</strong>: Missouri</p>
<h3 id="XH4AJ0"><strong>Win on Third Down</strong></h3>
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<figcaption>Missouri is on the left, South Carolina is on the right</figcaption>
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<p id="BFeZJl">The Gamecock defense came into the game being very vulnerable on 3rd downs so I thought <em><strong>Missouri should shoot to be at least 50% on third downs</strong></em>. What did Missouri do? Go 8-16 on 3rd downs. Exactly 50%. However, the Tigers benefited by going 7-8 on 3rd-5 or less but a less impressive 1-8 on 3rd-and-5 or greater. Another way to look at it? Missouri was 6-9 on 3rd downs in the 1st half and 2-7 in the 2nd half. Regardless, they were 50% on the game!</p>
<p id="HlkS91"><strong>Winner</strong>: Missouri</p>
<h3 id="MOPVXX"><strong>Finish your dang drives</strong></h3>
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<figcaption>Missouri is on the left, South Carolina is on the right</figcaption>
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<p id="fDj1hr">So...Missouri is pretty consistent so far this year: other than the <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> game where they had 8 scoring opportunities, every other game the Tigers have played have had them generate 5 scoring opportunities. Frankly, Missouri isn’t very good at finishing: 4 points per opportunity was their best (not counting LSU) finish against Kentucky while 2.4 was the worst against Tennessee. I wanted Missouri to <em><strong>average 6 points over those 5 trips </strong></em>and 3.4 is much less than 6. Luckily, the Tiger defense held the Gamecocks to a mere 2 scoring opportunities. This might just be what the Missouri offense is this year so the defense needs to continue to be stifling in order to keep them in games.</p>
<p id="HDYT6I"><strong>Winner</strong>: South Carolina</p>
<h2 id="9KpOak"><strong>Missouri’s Defense vs. South Carolina’s Offense</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>Missouri’s Defense vs. South Carolina’s Offense</figcaption>
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<h3 id="MXqy2t"><strong>Opportunity Rates</strong></h3>
<p id="e44L5b">Missouri’s defensive line was thin but had been doing well against non-Tennessee rushing attacks. And since South Carolina’s run game was the main engine to their points machine, it was important that the Tigers limit the damage, ideally <em><strong>Keeping South Carolina’s opportunity rate at 40% or lower</strong></em>. Unfortunately, the Gamecock offensive line was able to open up 4-yard holes at a 45% rate, featuring Kevin Harris at a 56% opportunity rate and Luke Doty racking up a 45% opportunity rate. Thankfully, the Tigers kept the rushing attack at a mere 39% success rate so all those yards weren’t able to keep the offense on the field.</p>
<p id="ZWf3Dt"><strong>Winner</strong>: South Carolina</p>
<h3 id="gD5jQe"><strong>Win Passing Downs</strong></h3>
<p id="JkEPZt">South Carolina’s game plan was pretty uninspiring: run on standard downs, pass on passing downs. That doesn’t do the quarterback any favors since he’s only passing when the defense is expecting it which might have been the reason Luke Doty had so much success scrambling in passing situations. Regardless, my goal for Missouri was to <em><strong>keep South Carolina’s passing downs success rate below 25%. </strong></em>South Carolina finished at a 32% success rate on passing downs, boosted tremendously by Doty’s 8-17 (47%) success rate in passing downs. </p>
<p id="AajZHU"><strong>Winner</strong>: South Carolina</p>
<h2 id="b1PhG5"><strong>Extra Points</strong></h2>
<h3 id="8iVMm5"><strong>Let’s get to the real reason Missouri won: punting and field position</strong></h3>
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<figcaption>Missouri is on the left, South Carolina is on the right</figcaption>
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<p id="3atGIT">When the majority of stats are close, it’s the hidden yardage that can make the difference; I’m talking penalties, kick returns, punt returns, and field position. And, as you can see, the net punting yards weren’t that different between both punters. Here’s the difference however: Grant McKinniss was able to pin the every loving f*** out of the ball, with a huge assist from the punt coverage unit.</p>
<p id="mBbJte">Here’s the starting South Carolina field position after each of McKinniss’ 7 punts:</p>
<p id="cDm3Mc">1, 14, 26, 7, 12, 23, 1</p>
<p id="FbTsr4">That’s downright Michael Dickson-ian. And it created a massive field position win for the Tigers with Missouri starting, on average, on their 33.9 and South Carolina starting, on average, on <em>their 14.7. </em>That’s a 19.2 yard difference over 11 possession which equals a <em>211.2 yard discrepancy</em>. In a game that Missouri only won by 7, and the Gamecocks had to save the game on a 99-yard drive, the field position discrepancy was the main reason the Tigers were able to hang on for a victory.</p>
<h3 id="lRbePZ"><strong>Nick Bolton. Amazing. The end.</strong></h3>
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<p id="xh0oEy">Through six games, he has been the teams’ leading tackler in four of them and has 54 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 passes defensed, and a sack. The man does everything and I hope he makes a million billion dollars in the NFL.</p>
<h3 id="wwknB8"><strong>Good thing the game was only 60 minutes long</strong></h3>
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<figcaption>Like two ships passing in the night</figcaption>
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<p id="T2l4Ss">South Carolina’s success rates got better as the game went on and Missouri collapsed in the 4th quarter, but that’s to be expected when you only have six offensive linemen that can’t get any push at all. If this game was even five minutes longer who knows how it would have ended up but it wasn’t and the Tigers held on. </p>
<h2 id="6MaQVL"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p id="w2GNn2">Like I said, don’t take too much away from this. Drinkwitz was able to rally his remaining troops for a morale boosting win on the road against a team with an interim coach. The Tigers didn’t have the depth or stamina to play a full, effective 60 minutes but they did enough and that’s what counts. They now have five days to recover and prepare for the one of the worst teams in the country.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/24/21611743/beyond-the-box-score-win-your-clunkersNate Edwards2020-11-23T10:11:20-06:002020-11-23T10:11:20-06:00MV3: Nick Bolton runs away with the top spot after brilliant performance
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aabOR_a-0_CCbNT2s9Ve_7XvFnA=/0x0:2700x1800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67846666/usa_today_15223095.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Our writers couldn’t ignore Nick Bolton’s masterful outing against the Gamecocks, but also noted another standout defensive performance.</p> <p id="qI1VI8">OH YEAH, we’re still doing these!</p>
<p id="ZCNXdd">Saturday night’s return to play after three weeks of downtime wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing display of football. However, that matters little in the win-loss column. At the turn of the clock, Missouri was 3-3. </p>
<p id="dirh8u">Despite the relative ugliness of the Mayor’s Cup, there were a number of outstanding performances from the Tigers, including one that was nothing short of brilliant. As we do after every game, our masthead submitted ballots for their MV3, or the three players most deserving of praise. Number one should be no surprise...</p>
<h1 id="FRIUbc"><span>1. Nick Bolton</span></h1>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZA84xv4-QW4vdg9wA_yjHG1ddvc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22065639/usa_today_15222187.jpg">
<cite>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="JzzQnz">I feel like a broken record when I write about Nick Bolton — what else is there to say about him at this point? We can dress it up in lots of fancy adjectives, but only one word wholly sums up Bolton’s performance in this game and season: special.</p>
<p id="SxVhqT">All of his Bolton’s best qualities were on display in the battle for the Mayor’s Cup. He was disruptive in the backfield and always found himself around the ball. He once again led the team with 14 tackles, two of which were TFLs. He was the standard-bearer in both execution and energy. </p>
<p id="fKUMwu">Maybe the best thing here is to point at BK, who wrote succinctly about Bolton’s brilliance in <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/21/21589399/five-takeaways-from-mizzous-bounce-back-win-vs-south-carolina">his takeaways piece</a> after the game: “These are the last three games we’ll have the pleasure of watching Bolton in a Missouri uniform. Enjoy it.”</p>
<h1 id="VWicou"><span>2. Martez Manuel</span></h1>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FRhv_fYStvqOTInudNmgNw9mxgo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22066123/martez_manuel.jpeg">
<cite>Twitter: https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1330320105327132672</cite>
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<p id="qkZ9Mk">The sophomore out of Columbia West has been scratching at a breakout all season, and it finally came in Columbia East. Manuel was all over the place for the Tiger defense, swarming the Gamecock backfield for 1.5 sacks and logging a pass defended to go along with five total tackles. While Nick Bolton is always brilliant, the Tiger defense is often dependent on one or two other defenders to help him carry the load. Manuel stepped up into that role on Saturday and put himself in pole position to become a leader once Bolton inevitably heads to the NFL.</p>
<h1 id="J97iqK"><span>T-3. Tyler Badie</span></h1>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E4Ch1SwM0nTlDcsmL4V84sWFpsk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22066116/usa_today_15222628.jpg">
<cite>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="u1O5jD">It feels like Tyler Badie has been lost in the shuffle a bit this year. After all, his partner in the backfield just became the all-time leading rusher among Mizzou running backs.</p>
<p id="C3degF">But let’s not take Badie’s status as the change-of-pace back and resign him as some sort of second fiddle. In many ways, Badie was the most important Tiger on offense against South Carolina. When the offensive line couldn’t open holes for Rountree, Badie used his speed to gash the defensive front. When the receivers couldn’t get any separation, Drink drew up a wheel route for Badie to run. On a night when the offense struggled to maintain momentum, Badie averaged 7.7 yards per touch. Without him, who knows if Mizzou even gets to 17 points?</p>
<h1 id="58BUq8"><span>T-3. Grant McKinniss</span></h1>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Alabama at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gL1KOsh5libB9zgaS9Zkuik4Qx8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22067203/usa_today_15032824.jpg">
<cite>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="a1vKKy">No, no, you’ve got this correct. McKinniss ended up on several ballots, earning enough to tie Tyler Badie for the third spot.</p>
<p id="Xwnhrz">McKinniss has been a solid punter for the Tigers in his grad transfer year, but you’d be hard-pressed to call him a game winner. That changed on Saturday night, when McKinniss pinned the Gamecocks deep in their own territory several times. The most crucial punt came in the closing minutes, when he skied one perfectly, giving the punt team enough time to grab the ball at the one-yard line.</p>
<p id="5vXTU4">Missouri has proven adept at winning the field position battle at times this year, and that was an important part of the Mayor’s Cup victory. McKinniss played a central, irreplaceable role.</p>
<p id="Xry9GT"><em>Others receiving votes: </em><span><em>Keke Chism</em></span><em>, </em><span><em>Devin Nicholson</em></span><em>, </em><span><em>Larry Rountree III</em></span></p>
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<p id="6zFPBh">How about y’all? Who were your most valuable players against South Carolina? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter at @RockMNation.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020/11/23/21589439/mv3-mizzou-football-south-carolina-nick-bolton-runs-away-with-top-spot-after-brilliant-performanceJosh Matejka2020-11-23T07:30:00-06:002020-11-23T07:30:00-06:00The Good, Bad and Ugly: South Carolina
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N2dkJcdlQdNxd5DLQv3p-sn4GS0=/0x113:2700x1913/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67845515/usa_today_15222653.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Examining everything that was good, bad and ugly in the win against South Carolina.</p> <p id="Gmg8Px"></p>
<h1 id="Tb9vHv">The Good: </h1>
<ul>
<li id="5IHWSI">
<span>Nick Bolton</span> remains the best player on the defense, and week by week he’s proving himself to be a blue chip NFL prospect. He flew around the ball making tackles behind the line of scrimmage while chasing tacklers from behind, too. Bolton has also taken another role as a pass rusher for this defense, and he does a pretty good job of creating pressure from his spot at inside linebacker. He’s been a pest all season for other teams, but he looked especially explosive this week. </li>
<li id="m4FUc2">The interior offensive line was a pleasant surprise. I thought <span>Luke Griffin</span> did a decent job in his first start ever, and the duo of <span>Case Cook</span> and Mike Maietti was solid as usual. The tackles struggled somewhat, but were serviceable. I’m hoping that these guys taking some of their lumps early in the season against some elite competition will benefit them down the stretch against teams that just don’t have the same level of competition. </li>
<li id="c9dgyp">A <span>Keke Chism</span> sighting! It was a slugfest of a game, but Chism was the leading receiver for the Tigers on Saturday and made at least a couple of catches for first downs. With the receiver position getting suddenly thin, getting Chism going is not just a good thing, but a <em>great thing</em> for this Tiger offense. </li>
</ul>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Kentucky at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Xb5FdHQlPJpZwIzlHNHdl87R-U0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21986877/usa_today_15108892.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<ul>
<li id="kffIN6">How about some love for the special teams? <span>Grant McKinniss</span> pinned South Carolina inside of their own one yard line, not once, but twice! Shout out to him, as well as the coverage team, for getting down there. Those kinds of plays flip the field and also flip the game. </li>
<li id="cRFBhT">Every week that I see this Missouri defense, I get a little bit more excited for the development of Martez Manuel. He’s proving to be that hybrid safety that every defense nowadays is looking for. He was solid in coverage and was flying down into the box to stop the run. He also had two sacks on the day. The sophomore was all over the field and was a reminder of how special he could be by the end of his time at Missouri. </li>
<li id="UNHYEC">That’s it, it’s time to start the campaign: #FreeTauskieDove </li>
</ul>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZGGd-ugYjMXYwTFBcwc_C0XNF5k=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22047346/usa_today_15072890.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<h1 id="vl1Cwh">The Bad: </h1>
<ul><li id="rm3IzD">Everyone felt the change in momentum for South Carolina when the put their freshman QB, <span>Luke Doty,</span> in the game. He provided a spark with his legs, and for a little while, the Tigers let him get a little bit of confidence by running all over the place. South Carolina’s single touchdown drive was penalty-aided, where defensive ends flew upfield and failed to keep their containment of the quarterback. This is fixable, but it almost came back to burn the Tigers at the end. </li></ul>
<div id="fTlWhD">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> defenseive ends have to be disciplined and keep their rush lanes. You can’t fly up field and create lanes for a guy with legs like Doty has.</p>— Aaron D. (@iAirDry) <a href="https://twitter.com/iAirDry/status/1330344493275639809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<ul><li id="sxqfNI">A tad too many penalties in this game for Missouri. Ennius Rakestraw, Jr had a couple (and a sack) and the offensive line had a couple as well. There were a few tick tack calls, but 7 penalties for 77 yards will hurt your chances of winning 10 out of 10 times. Gotta clean it up. </li></ul>
<p id="P2Y0Ws"></p>
<h1 id="mscnI3">The Ugly: </h1>
<p id="pv0iWm">I’m prefacing this by saying that I understand that not only was this offense probably a little rusty, but they were undermanned as well. I also understand that South Carolina’s offense wasn’t especially threatening. But in the second half, the Tiger offense was ugly. They finished the second half with only five first downs, and just one in the fourth quarter. They finished with 79 yards in the first half. That’s unacceptable.</p>
<p id="MfhxOk">I don’t think that this will necessarily be a long term issue for Missouri, but you can’t have your offense being that incredibly stagnant for an entire half and expect to win. At least not in the SEC you can’t. </p>
<p id="JCEHS7"></p>
<p id="5nroFj"><em>Follow me on Twitter @iAirDry</em></p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/23/21590611/the-good-bad-and-ugly-south-carolina-mizzou-tigers-gamecocks-football-secAaron Dryden2020-11-21T23:20:00-06:002020-11-21T23:20:00-06:00Mizzou shakes off the rust, leans on defense in win over South Carolina
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YhxW6kBabHYITLUvpKUJ8nishNc=/162x0:2700x1692/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67841053/usa_today_15222187.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Missouri’s defense propels them to their third win of the season in the Battle of Columbia.</p> <p id="LjEYwo">The <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com">Missouri Tigers</a> and <a href="https://www.garnetandblackattack.com">South Carolina Gamecocks</a> are 5-5 all time in games against one another, but it was Missouri who had the opportunity to win a second consecutive Mayor’s Cup in Saturday night’s matchup. </p>
<p id="oZI612">It was a game defined almost as much by who <em>didn’t </em>make the trip as who <em>did.</em> Mike Bobo was named interim head coach this week after South Carolina parted ways with Will Muschamp. Missouri’s Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters was unable to make the trip from Columbia to Columbia due to contact tracing, and David Gibbs was named the defensive coordinator before kickoff. Missouri’s <span>Markell Utsey</span> and <span>Dylan Spencer</span> missed tonight’s ballgame due to contact tracing, and South Carolina had 4 opt outs. </p>
<p id="GYMAZ5">This game was a war of attrition before it started... and that’s before the Gamecocks lost star wide receiver, <span>Shi Smith, </span>for the night following a rough tackle.</p>
<p id="zCbsxz">Though the Gamecocks came into the game 11 for 16 on fourth down conversions, they were unable to convert their first attempt tonight, which gave <span>Connor Bazelak</span> and the Tigers excellent starting field position on their opening drive. </p>
<p id="Sn6gpB">The Tigers went three and out, but a solid defensive stand granted the Tigers great field position to begin their ensuing set of downs. That second drive ended when <span>Tauskie Dove</span> made a highlight reel catch one-on-one in the back of the end zone to give Missouri a seven point lead halfway through the first quarter. </p>
<p id="RAaZlM">Back on the field with a lead, <span>Martez Manuel</span> helped Mizzou’s defense get the football back in lightning-quick fashion by recording the team’s eighth sack of the season. He kept things rolling for the Tigers to end the first quarter, recording another sack. </p>
<p id="elJlek">The Tigers extended their lead shortly after with a <span>Larry Rountree III</span> touchdown, in which the senior threw himself through the air, giving the Tigers a dramatic two-touchdown lead. It was emblematic of the Tigers’ early domination, and they lead 14-0 early in the second. </p>
<p id="qEELv8">At halftime, the Tigers led by a score of 17-0. Their dominant first half performance was fueled by a gritty defensive effort, primarily charged by captain, Nick Bolton, who flew all over the field breaking up passes, dropping runners for a loss... is there any doubt left that we’ll be seeing him on Sundays soon? </p>
<p id="3LVXLq">Despite Missouri’s impressive defensive performance, Coach Eli Drinkwitz said that he’d like to see his team force a turnover in the second half. It would be a prophetic utterance, as the Gamecocks would throw the Tiger defense for a loop it didn’t see coming.</p>
<p id="UwmlOA"><span>Luke Doty</span> checked in at quarterback for South Carolina to begin the third quarter, and the Gamecocks finally demonstrated some semblance of ability to move the ball down field. </p>
<p id="fWWDdU">Even still, the Tiger defense held, and the Gamecocks only managed a field goal in the third quarter. Drinkwitz said the team wasn’t expecting Doty to play, but credited David Gibbs, the team’s secondary coach and fill-in defensive coordinator, with keeping him in check</p>
<p id="tgHUx7">“Doty did a nice job of eluding tackles but I think we did an effective job dealing with him overall,” Coach Drinkwitz said after the game. “That’s why it’s nice having experienced play callers.”</p>
<p id="LvXwSX">With Doty in the game, the Gamecock offense gained a sense of unpredictability. Doty’s ability to extend plays with his legs helped open up the passing game. And despite taking hit after hit after hit, Doty continued to chip away, slowly bringing the Gamecocks closer on the scoreboard.</p>
<p id="6wtjrF">After an uneventful beginning of the fourth quarter, South Carolina found itself driving with just over eight minutes to go in the ball game. It was bad timing for perhaps the largest momentum builder of the night for the Gamecocks, when Martez Manuel was called for a late hit. Targeting was initially called and then overruled, but South Carolina was bailed out of a crucial third down attempt and moved the sticks.</p>
<p id="oJ5Nd4">Just a few plays later, South Carolina converted a fourth down conversion to extend their drive and punched it into the end zone to cut the Tigers’ lead in half. <span>Deshaun Fenwick</span> recorded the score for the Gamecocks. 17-10 Tigers.</p>
<p id="zUxrq3">Inexplicably with five minutes to go, fans had a ballgame.</p>
<p id="nQknwp">Missouri drained as much clock as possible on their next set of downs and forced South Carolina to burn a timeout. However, the offense continued to stall and was forced to punt the ball away. After the game, Rountree said that the Tiger offense needed to be better moving forward.</p>
<p id="LDMeZT">“It didn’t surprise me that this was a tight game,” said Rountree, “but it was our first win on the road and that means a lot.”</p>
<p id="wsCAWi">Fortunately, Grant McKinniss continued his strong play and pinned the Gamecocks at their own one yard line for the final drive. The Gamecocks had just over two minutes to travel 99 yards in order to tie the game.</p>
<p id="p1ueRv">Luke Doty’s hot play continued, with the backup throwing darts and dropping dimes out of his own end zone to keep South Carolina’s hopes alive. Unfortunately for Doty, his magic ran short precisely at the wrong time. Doty made a bad read as the Gamecocks approached midfield, and linebacker <span>Devin Nicholson</span> was waiting for an easy pick. The Tigers could finally break out the turnover robe and breathe easy for the first time in the half.</p>
<p id="6Cmfmr">The Tigers capped off the night in victory formation and moved to 3-3 on the season. The Tigers will face off against Arkansas and former head coach Barry Odom next weekend.</p>
<p id="toI9CM">MIZ.</p>
<p id="I8XCdp"></p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/21/21589167/mizzou-shakes-off-the-rust-leans-on-defense-in-win-over-south-carolinaJacobgiancola162020-11-21T23:15:00-06:002020-11-21T23:15:00-06:00Five takeaways from Mizzou’s bounce back win vs. South Carolina
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RO0M1dWplgrsFikFmxdJOnMyrBI=/0x0:2700x1800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67841039/usa_today_15222651.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn’t pretty, but it counts as a win all the same.</p> <p id="JMtpGZ">It’s more fun to win when you do so with a dominant offensive performance. The <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> win, in particular, stands out in this regard. The Tigers dominated offensively, and it didn’t much matter what the defense did until the final play of the game. That’s a heck of a lot more fun to watch than a game that ends 17-10 with Missouri’s offense completely stalling out in the second half.</p>
<p id="nmn5UU">It doesn’t matter. A win is a win is a win. They all count the same. Wins against South Carolina are always nice. I don’t care if it’s 17-10 or 34-3. In a season like this, just get the win. The Tigers did exactly that. They passed the test. That’s all we can ask for.</p>
<div id="IVGAHa">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> QB Connor Bazelak finds Tauskie Dove for the TD! Great throw and an even better catch. <a href="https://t.co/1mw9NsG56O">pic.twitter.com/1mw9NsG56O</a></p>— Andrew Kauffman (@AndrewABC17) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewABC17/status/1330315774683181059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a>
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<p id="8wDT57">With that said, let’s get to my top five takeaways from Missouri’s bounce back win in the other Columbia.</p>
<h2 id="yn2bxt">
<strong>1) </strong><span><strong>Nick Bolton</strong></span><strong> put together another performance for the ages</strong>
</h2>
<p id="9VzYMy">14 tackles, eight solo tackles and two tackles for loss. It’s a ho-hum game for Nick Bolton. It’s an all-world game for most other players in the country. It was Bolton’s third game with at least 14 tackles. <span>Kentrell Brothers</span> and <span>Sean Weatherspoon</span> are the only other Missouri defenders in the last 20 years with at least three games of 14+ total tackles.</p>
<p id="ewbgFt">It was also Bolton’s third game with double digit tackles and multiple tackles for loss. <span>Terez Hall</span> and Weatherspoon are the only other players to do so. </p>
<div id="be8KVQ">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nick Bolton hates your run game <a href="https://t.co/4YJ4nhmBzP">pic.twitter.com/4YJ4nhmBzP</a></p>— Represent Mizzou (@RepresentMizzou) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepresentMizzou/status/1330324824405774336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a>
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<p id="PZR0pN">Bolton is making the extraordinary seem ordinary. He just played a dominant game against a “rival” for Missouri. I don’t want to lose sight of that. </p>
<p id="rsWeIY">The Tigers have just three games remaining this season. These are the last three games we’ll have the pleasure of watching Bolton in a Missouri uniform. Enjoy it. He’s going to go down as one of the best Tigers defenders of the last 20 years. It’s been a pleasure to watch him put together his best season yet.</p>
<div id="I94f2u">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drinkwitz complimented the leadership of linebacker Nick Bolton and running back Larry Rountree III.<br><br>"Those two guys hold this team together."</p>— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/Peter_Baugh/status/1330365128215310343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="bsYI9e">
<strong>2) Eli Drinkwitz got back to his bread and butter with </strong><span><strong>Tyler Badie</strong></span>
</h2>
<p id="zQLgpe">Tyler Badie is an incredibly important part of this offense. You wouldn’t know that if you watched the Florida game. Badie finished that game with three touches for a total of three yards. It was strange, given the Tigers were down by two scores at halftime. Badie’s a heck of a player, especially in the passing game. But they never seemed to get him involved.</p>
<p id="sJChou">Drinkwitz corrected that against South Carolina. Badie finished the game with 10 total touches— six carries for 23 yards and four receptions for 54 yards. His involvement in the passing game was huge. Badie converted two critical third downs through the air. Drinkwitz drew up multiple wheel routes (YAY, WHEEL ROUTES!) that got Badie the ball in space.</p>
<p id="P1nYyP">It’s a low bar to clear, but Drinkwitz utilizing his weapons the way they should be used is refreshing. We haven’t seen that in recent years. The Florida game was frustrating. It was nice to see things get back to normal against South Carolina. </p>
<h2 id="Vl4sFw">
<strong>3) Welcome to the show, </strong><span><strong>Keke Chism</strong></span>
</h2>
<p id="RqCPgO">We heard so much about Keke Chism over the summer. And then he had a total of four receptions for 64 yards in his first three games. That’s not what any of us were expecting. He’s rebounded in a big way the last two games.</p>
<p id="XDnqHt">Chism put up five receptions for 68 yards against Florida, and he followed that up with six receptions for 57 yards against the Gamecocks. </p>
<p id="EAbmhH">He hasn’t been dominant, and it’s still probably not what most Missouri fans were hoping for. But a solid possession receiver who comes up with big-time catches is nice to have. Chism has developed into that in the last couple weeks. I’ll take it. </p>
<h2 id="HLyMHW"><strong>4) Not this time, South Carolina backup QB</strong></h2>
<p id="gQDkhz">You thought about it. I thought about it. The Tigers were dominating. Then South Carolina went to a backup quarterback in the second half and he started to get things going. Uh oh. We’ve seen this story before. It was seven years ago, and the game was in Missouri, but it happened.</p>
<p id="sT4Sdk">Please don’t let that happen again. It didn’t. Thank goodness. </p>
<p id="ngipLh">The Tigers’ defense eventually stepped up and <span>Luke Doty</span> wasn’t able to pull off the upset. It wasn’t the perfect finish, but the Tigers came up with a big stop when they needed it the most. </p>
<div id="QFZN2h">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TURNOVER ROBE TIME: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> LB Devin Nicholson comes up with the game-clinching interception as the Tigers win their second straight Mayor's Cup. <a href="https://t.co/iFApjg4FvL">pic.twitter.com/iFApjg4FvL</a></p>— Andrew Kauffman (@AndrewABC17) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewABC17/status/1330360675961610243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a>
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<p id="LARA4v">It’s becoming a recurring theme in Missouri’s wins. The defense has to come up with a stop to secure the win. <span>Devin Nicholson</span> came up with the interception to secure the victory. </p>
<h2 id="0qiTwA"><strong>5) That was not pretty, but it was effective</strong></h2>
<p id="TpW5bj">This season has brought on unprecedented obstacles for teams. South Carolina just played a game with an interim coach and three of its four defensive backs opting out of the season. The Tigers were straddling the line to have enough scholarship players to play the game. Both teams had plenty of adversity coming into the game.</p>
<p id="DCDnmy">Welcome to 2020.</p>
<div id="vZxeOT">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch: I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> HC Eli Drinkwitz what it means to him to be 3-3 in his first year with all of the uncertainty surrounding the season.<br><br>"I've got a couple of screen shots of people that predicted us to only win two games, so they can have those screen shots back." <a href="https://t.co/oaRgQhbxwZ">pic.twitter.com/oaRgQhbxwZ</a></p>— Andrew Kauffman (@AndrewABC17) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewABC17/status/1330373606401060866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a>
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<p id="Y3Ckau">That was not pretty. At all. The Tigers finished the game with less than 100 rushing yards, fewer than 6.2 yards per pass attempt and they averaged more than seven yards per third down attempt.</p>
<p id="xBwsT5">They had six drives in the second half. Five resulted in punts. The sixth finished the game. Ugly, ugly, ugly. But it resulted in a win. And that’s all that matters. This season isn’t about winning pretty. It’s about compiling as many wins as possible. Missouri is now 3-3 with games coming up against Arkansas, <a href="https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com">Mississippi State</a> and Vanderbilt. Winning six games against exclusively SEC competition is very much in play. That seemed impossible coming into the year.</p>
<p id="TwLRpN">Hopefully Missouri gets healthy in the next week heading into the Arkansas game. For the time being, we can celebrate the victory and we’re on to Arkansas. </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/21/21589399/five-takeaways-from-mizzous-bounce-back-win-vs-south-carolinaBrandon Kiley2020-11-21T22:08:39-06:002020-11-21T22:08:39-06:00Tigers Grind it Out, Beat South Carolina 17-10
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vejrr-qvclkEtL2eP_eOQpat5A4=/0x0:2700x1800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67840869/usa_today_15222653.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Tigers emerge victorious in a defensive battle</p> <p id="PsrFTk">The Tigers got it done against the Gamecocks in the other Columbia on Saturday. </p>
<p id="LZSSAk">It took a stellar defensive performance, but the Tigers did enough to beat South Carolina in the Gamecocks’ first game without Will Muschamp. Larry Rountree III also moved to second all time on the Mizzou rushing yards list, trailing only Brad Smith. </p>
<p id="HUivYQ">The Tigers will now head home with the Mayor’s Cup and into the Battle Line Rivalry next week at .500 looking to have a winning record for the first time this year. </p>
<div id="ccv61a">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Return Trip to CoMo for The Mayor's Cup ‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIZ</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewZou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewZou</a> <a href="https://t.co/1LrlsObgwm">pic.twitter.com/1LrlsObgwm</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1330360578490118144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2020/11/21/21589393/tigers-grind-it-out-beat-south-carolinaKortay Vincent2020-11-21T17:31:29-06:002020-11-21T17:31:29-06:00Gamethread: Mizzou vs South Carolina
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<p>For their first game in three weeks, the Tigers head to other Columbia seeking a return to .500 on the year</p> <h2 id="3SaYmC"><strong>Mizzou 17 - South Carolina 10</strong></h2>
<h2 id="xqeKZS"><strong>Final</strong></h2>
<p id="9hQWAQ">Fourth Quarter Updates and Notes</p>
<p id="aQ8TQU">In a game full of punts, that’s how the fourth quarter began for the Tigers as they pinned the Gamecocks deep in their own territory. Per usual for this game, the Gamecocks would punt it right back and the Tigers would also return the favor. For the first time all game, SC would punch it in. The Gamecocks would go 77 YDs on 13 plays and cut the lead to 17-10. Mizzou would give the Gamecocks one more chance to tie it up with 2:37 left to play. However, they were able to pin South Carolina inside their own 5. South Carolina’s 2 minute drill wouldn’t amount to anything however, as a pick sealed the deal for the Tigers.</p>
<ul>
<li id="Y5JbTo">It’s not pretty but winning games where you don’t have your A game is something that can’t be slighted.</li>
<li id="MC32nB">This defensive performance has been impressive. It’s been slightly surprising due to the absence of Ryan Walters, but that speaks to how good the defense really is.</li>
<li id="ug7khl">South Carolina has their dude in Doty. The kid can play.</li>
</ul>
<p id="qjV5dI">Third Quarter Updates and Notes</p>
<p id="TyXatB">After a Mizzou punt, the Gamecocks changed it up under center, and it yielded their first score of the game. Behind Luke Doty’s arm, SC was able to drive and kick a 47-YD FG to cut the lead to 17-3. Mizzou would get the ball back, but continue to struggle moving the ball and punted again. South Carolina’s next drive wouldn’t amount to much either as Mizzou got the ball back and began driving as the fourth quarter begins.</p>
<ul>
<li id="d91mNz">After the first quarter, Connor has looked nervy throwing the ball, it’s odd considering how composed he typically is.</li>
<li id="kfXsL4">The Doty kid has given SC life.</li>
<li id="rfuVbn">The offense has come out so slow. It looks like they don’t know what they are doing right now. Almost like SC has been one step ahead since the start of the 2nd half.</li>
<li id="P7W8Fg">This looks like it will be a game that isn’t going to be pretty but the Tigers should win.</li>
</ul>
<p id="vM19ZI">Second Quarter Updates and Notes</p>
<p id="1u9HiI">The Tigers picked it up in their first drive of the quarter as they methodically marched 58 yards and capped off a TD drive with a 1-yd Larry Rountree rush. After a South Carolina punt, Mizzou began a long methodical drive. However, disaster would strike on third down in the redzone as Bazelak would throw an interception, just his second of the year, but the Tiger defense held firm securing a first half shut out. The Tigers weren’t done, though. A well executed 2 minute drill led to a short FG and a 17-0 halftime lead with the Tigers receiving the 2nd half kick.</p>
<ul>
<li id="ssFrwp">Nick Bolton gets better every week. He’s flying all over the field as usual and Tiger fans need to appreciate him while he’s here because with a good combine, you could see this guy come off the board early in the draft.</li>
<li id="SPpu8e">Establishing the run has been great this quarter. The Tigers have a lead, and if they keep running like this, South Carolina won’t be able to come back.</li>
<li id="hhVLtL">A TD would’ve been great there, but the defense is playing so well that it’s not terribly concerning.</li>
<li id="TSgAyN">Larry now only trails Brad Smith in Rush YDs.</li>
</ul>
<p id="lDgW6n">First Quarter Updates and Notes</p>
<p id="v4OQky">Mizzou’s defense took the field first and they stood strong. South Carolina would get to midfield and stall there after failing to get a 4th and 2. The Tigers and Gamecocks would trade punts on each of their next drives, both getting off to a slow start. However, Mizzou would capitalize on prime field position on their second drive, as Bazelak found Tauskie Dove in the back of the end zone on a beautiful throw and catch. Another exchange of punts would follow the opening score of the game. </p>
<ul>
<li id="c9pkGi">This is a game that can’t be a letdown for the Tigers. This is the first game all year that they are favored and they need to show why</li>
<li id="2If2ic">Martez Manuel is living in the backfield already</li>
<li id="aNyD9S">Running game is struggling, but that doesn’t seem to be affecting Bazelak. Larry needs to get going on the next drive.</li>
</ul>
<p id="IuY0vR">PREGAME UPDATES</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Markell Utsey and Dylan Spencer, also suspended half a game each, are among the unavailable players. Others unavailable: QB Shawn Robinson, WR JJ Hester, Boo Smith, DB Adam Sparks, Stacy Brown, Ish Burdine, DL Kevin Wills, Sci Martin, Johnny Walker</p>— Mitchell Forde (@Mitchell4D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitchell4D/status/1330286780264968204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a>
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<div id="C5VxUp">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mizzou 56 scholarship players made the trip. OL Borom & Delgado, NT Whiteside all here but available on emergency basis only</p>— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dave_Matter/status/1330285903403749380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a>
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<p id="qGVbxw"><strong>TIME: </strong>6:30 pm CT</p>
<p id="e0yOA3"><strong>DATE: </strong>Saturday, November 21, 2020</p>
<p id="f0QJsv"><strong>LOCATION: </strong>Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina</p>
<h2 id="Ozolca"><strong>Missouri-South Carolina football: Follow the game, TV Channel</strong></h2>
<p id="IG3u3h"><strong>TELEVISION: </strong>SEC Network Alternate</p>
<p id="CYdYih"><strong>STREAM</strong>: Watch ESPN</p>
<p id="Wm0Cg5"><strong>TWITTER</strong>: <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball"><strong>@MizzouFootball</strong></a></p>
<p id="FQRsqL"><strong>FACEBOOK</strong>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MizzouFootballShowMe/"><strong>MizzouFootballShowMe</strong></a></p>
<p id="bTkiNY"><em><strong>ESPN+</strong></em>: <a href="http://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/482924/555830/9070?sharedid=RockMNation"><strong>ROCKMNATION</strong></a></p>
<p id="9A7XMY"><strong>STATBROADCAST: </strong><a href="https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=314834"><strong>Mizzou vs. South Carolina</strong></a></p>
<p id="267xTu">Looking for FuboTV? Try our signup link: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https://www.fubo.tv/lp/sports/?irad=343747&irmp=482924&sharedid=RockMNation&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https://www.rockmnation.com/2020/10/3/21500015/game-thread-mizzou-looks-to-climb-rocky-top-for-first-win-of-the-season&xcust=___sb__e_21307854__r_rockmnation.com/authors__t_w_" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>FUBOTV</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="07s0Q1"><strong>Missouri-South Carolina football: Betting odds, predictions</strong></h2>
<h2 id="aOyq9i">Mizzou comes in as -4.5 Favorites against South Carolina according to <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.actionnetwork.com%2Fncaaf-game%2Fmissouri-s-carolina-score-odds-november-21-2020%2F87909&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockmnation.com%2F2020-mizzou-football%2F2020%2F11%2F21%2F21589085%2Fgamethread-mizzou-football-tigers-vs-south-carolina-gamecocks" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>actionnetwork.com</strong></a>
</h2>
<h2 id="hysomY"><strong>Last... Give us your score predictions, and MVP for the game in the comments below!</strong></h2>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/21/21589085/gamethread-mizzou-football-tigers-vs-south-carolina-gamecocksKortay Vincent2020-11-20T16:30:00-06:002020-11-20T16:30:00-06:00PREGAMIN’ SOUTH CAROLINA
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Kentucky at Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kl6Te8Dbgi4V8w02K9m06l1fH9c=/0x0:3106x2071/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67836424/usa_today_15109684.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>WAIT, WE’RE STILL PLAYING FOOTBALL?!?! WE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A PHOTOSHOP READY!</p> <h2 id="QyLmCx">Keep Calm and Wear a Mask!</h2>
<ul>
<li id="EsKa5U">Much like the rest of the country, South Carolina is struggling with the latest COVID-19 surge. The governor is preparing an order that would give all public schools <a href="https://www.wistv.com/2020/11/19/all-sc-schools-get-covid-testing-kits-under-executive-order/">access to rapid testing kits.</a>
</li>
<li id="Z0pV3T">Mizzou isn’t the only school that’s had trouble encouraging students to follow public health guidelines, as USC has <a href="https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article246539478.html">seen its own share of mass gatherings.</a>
</li>
<li id="fRZUIw">A company based in Columbia East is expected to <a href="https://www.thestate.com/news/coronavirus/article247284284.html">play a major role in the distribution of a COVID vaccine</a>, many of which seem to be on the near horizon.</li>
<li id="XCe93N">Meanwhile, the city of Columbia is considering <a href="https://www.postandcourier.com/news/covid-woes-have-columbia-considering-more-mask-changes-keep-richland-facilities-closed/article_d2d8648a-29db-11eb-83ba-4724187491aa.html">more mask mandates and public restrictions</a> as cases continue to rise.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="Ra4NX0">All Aboard the Hype Train!</h2>
<div id="Y3JAKb">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trophy Game <br><br>Attack. Attack. Attack. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIZ</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewZou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewZou</a> <a href="https://t.co/3eeWnSej56">pic.twitter.com/3eeWnSej56</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1329597847499661312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="lKrKMY">I don’t plan on critiquing this one. I’m just glad to have hype videos back!</p>
<h2 id="a0sqMd">So Fresh and So Clean, Clean</h2>
<div id="ay5VOC">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sting like a bumblebee <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIZ</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewZou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewZou</a> <a href="https://t.co/vvkv2Igjmx">pic.twitter.com/vvkv2Igjmx</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1329816774662000640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="AQUnd5">I... don’t hate it! I’ve never been a fan of featuring yellow as a primary color, but it actually works nicely with the white jersey. </p>
<p id="wck2EK">Of course, the Block M is back, and it’s a perfect setup with the yellow lid. As I said on Twitter, all it took for the program to fully transition to the Block M was one week of us screaming about it on Twitter. </p>
<p id="nct3rL">Do we feel powerful yet?</p>
<h2 id="FsTPkP">What the “Experts” are Saying</h2>
<ul>
<li id="GhTpOm">Dave Matter <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers-podcast-game-on-for-the-tigers-against-the-gamecocks-looks-like/html_e3fe1f02-d087-58ca-bd43-2f8af5302269.html">previewed the game with Ben Frederickson</a> on their Eye of the Tiger podcast. He also discussed <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/mizzou-quick-hits-shootout-in-south-carolina-will-english-be-back-is-mizzou-married-to/collection_babbf1cb-279b-59ee-b41a-62e22166f3b7.html#7">the possibility of shootout</a> in his Q&A quick hitters.</li>
<li id="AWb3l2">Both writers at Saturday Down South are picking Mizzou, though one dubbed it <a href="https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/sec-week-9-predictions-game-picks-bets-wagers-football-2020/">the toughest game to call</a> this week.</li>
<li id="AUDmey">Garnet and Black Attack isn’t feeling too confident, saying <a href="https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2020/11/18/21572144/odds-south-carolina-gamecocks-vs-missouri-tigers">Mizzou is the better bet</a> to win the Mayor’s Cup.</li>
<li id="ehu6pT">PowerMizzou’s Ultimate Preview lands pretty much where the rest of us do, <a href="https://missouri.rivals.com/news/the-ultimate-preview-mizzou-at-south-carolina">calling this pick a, “full-court heave.”</a> They do, however, feel as if Missouri has an advantage.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I8FC4cSyoDOQ83U7Uz6yc-hy1h4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21947741/MastheadQ_A.jpg">
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<h2 id="HAkThc">It feels silly to start this off with anything else but the obvious. COVID-19 has prevented Missouri from playing for several weeks now, and it’s hard to say for certainty that any games will get played until they kick-off. What are your expectations for the rest of the year re: Missouri’s schedule?</h2>
<p id="Ql4GNi"><strong>Josh Matejka, Deputy Manager: </strong>I think it’s reasonable to expect Missouri to go at least 3-2 in these final five games, assuming they still play Georgia in that final make-up week. But the real question is if they will actually play all five? And to be honest, I don’t see how that’s possible.</p>
<p id="olYukW">COVID-19 isn’t getting any better around the country with infections increasing on the daily. Some schools are kind of doing preventative work by removing students from campus, but it feels naïve to think that will completely remove the threat. My expectations are almost fully out the window at this point, but if I’m forced to choose, I’d say Missouri has at least two games outright cancelled. The Tigers are likely going to be selected for a bowl game if they can notch four wins, so if they can get at least two of these last however many games, I’ll be satisfied.</p>
<p id="f4gL25"><strong>Nate Edwards, Football Editor: </strong>My expectations at this point are to win two games. As of right now it’s South Carolina, Arkansas, <a href="https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com">Mississippi State</a>, Vanderbilt, then possibly/probably Georgia. Win all four/five and you can go ahead and let your expectations fly through the roof; three would be incredibly impressive, and two is just about right. One isn’t great but, like I’ve said a thousand times, I just don’t care enough about this season to take any long term negative issues and extrapolate them to future seasons. And, just to be a gigantic negative once again, I fully expect at least one other game to be COVID-cancelled before 2020 is done.</p>
<p id="2c4Y2H"><strong>Brandon Kiley, Lead Football Writer: </strong>It’s so hard to say anything with certainty. We know this — Missouri is not in the same place as many other SEC schools. It’s not that the Tigers are having some wild outbreaks among the team. They’re starting at a place of disadvantage. Recruiting sanctions, opt outs and transfers have officially taken their toll on the Tigers’ roster. The team is down to 54 scholarship players <em>before</em> any COVID related issues. That certainly makes it difficult to field a 53-man roster on Saturdays. They have zero margin for error. Hopefully they’re able to maintain that. We’re playing through a pandemic. It’s going to be difficult to do so.</p>
<h2 id="rgMhig">Another major bit of news dropped this weekend when South Carolina ponied up nearly $15 million to send Will Muschamp packing. Coach firings tend to have one of two effects on a team - galvanizing them to greater success or giving them cause to pack it in. How do you see the Gamecocks responding to their coach’s ouster?</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: South Carolina at Mississippi" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aGgbwJjo94QD8TZhE_ljQ1wTTrA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22052790/usa_today_15201014.jpg">
<cite>Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="P7hiRO"><strong>Josh Matejka: </strong>Not to get lazy, but I think we’re already seeing the response from South Carolina before they take the field. Several players, including arguably the team’s three best defenders in the secondary, have already opted out for the rest of the season. As Nate pointed out in <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/18/21570520/south-carolina-gamecocks-preview">his full preview</a>, the Gamecocks rate 107th against the pass and 113th on passing downs. To be honest, I can’t imagine losing three starters (and two NFL prospects) out of the secondary is going to help morale much.</p>
<p id="jzaTFT">Of course, you can never take anything for granted against a Division I team. The guys who do stick around are likely to have some sort of chip on their shoulder and might want to put up a fight. But it’s hard to see a team like South Carolina — already facing a losing season and a long transition ahead — getting up much for a game against another rebuilding team like Missouri.</p>
<p id="JjjNgA"><strong>Nate Edwards: </strong>In a normal season you could maybe talk yourself into the Gamecocks rallying around interim Mike Bobo and finishing strong. But I find that hard to believe in this case: they have five losses already, there’s no way they can win the division, and since every team is eligible for a bowl no matter what there’s no effort needed to work towards a post-season game. Does this 2-win team really want to stay quarantined and sacrifice all college-life for a team that doesn’t need any effort to achieve their very underwhelming goals for a coaching staff that won’t be around next year? Hell no. I’d imagine numerous guys opt out [<em>editor’s note</em>: this was submitted Monday, four players opted out by Wednesday] and the team sleep walks towards the end. Of course, now that I’ve said that out loud, South Carolina will win every game on their schedule</p>
<p id="YPM4Ub"><strong>Brandon Kiley: </strong>Well, we’ve seen a few players transfer since his firing, including multiple starters in the secondary. So that’s not great for South Carolina! I’m sure they’ll come out firing. We’ll probably see some trick plays. They’ll try things we haven’t seen on film at any point this season. What does Mike Bobo have to lose? He knows he’s not getting that job. Might as well throw everything at the wall to see what sticks.</p>
<p id="eZ6Eei">That being said, this isn’t a very good South Carolina team. There’s a reason Muschamp was fired. The Tigers had every opportunity to win this game <em>with</em> Muschamp and <em>before</em> the transfers. That doesn’t change after the moves.</p>
<h2 id="PLG6yL">It’s been a few weeks since we were able to see Missouri on the field, and it’s hard to know what to expect. What are you most worried about with the Tigers coming off the three-week layoff?</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Kentucky at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/w62SeKE9Cqu_dSa04zNgsTaITo8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21996811/usa_today_15109628.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="C1XNUc"><strong>Josh Matejka: </strong>Y’all ready for some <em>ugly</em> football? I’m ready for some <em>ugly </em>football.</p>
<p id="EdFkO6">I can’t imagine how this is going to manifest on the field. Lots of blown coverages in the secondary? I could see it. Blown reads from linebackers and the defensive line? I could see it. A lack of chemistry between Bazelak and his receivers? I could see it. Turnovers galore? I could deeeeeeeefinitely see it.</p>
<p id="zwqSVH">More than anything, I just want the Tigers to play a solid game. There’s definitely going to be an adjustment period early on, and I’d love for Missouri to have a bad quarter as opposed to a bad half. But my baseline expectation is that things are going to be sloppy early on, and it could extend well into the game.</p>
<p id="nCTP6p"><strong>Nate Edwards: </strong>Execution is going to SUCK. Practices have been on zoom and the depth on both lines is stretched incredibly thin. I think it’s going to take a few quarters for both sides to wake up and remember how actual tackle football looks and feels and that would be a shame since this is the stretch of games where Missouri has legit chances at winning games.</p>
<p id="xEdRTI"><strong>Brandon Kiley: </strong>I’m most worried about the depth. There are clear issues along both the offensive and defensive lines. That’s a huge concern. Otherwise, it should basically be the same team we saw the last time they took the field. Granted, that didn’t go particularly well for the Tigers. But South Carolina is certainly not on the same level as Florida. I don’t expect too many issues that we haven’t already seen.</p>
<h2 id="V14Lyi">PICK ‘EM! This feels like a major guessing game, but the line has opened with Missouri as a 6-point favorite. It’s the first time all season Missouri has been favored. Can they cover?</h2>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Kentucky at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KBMqeezOyvLCNRCkjE6w65BjCmI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22016120/usa_today_15109684.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="XGyqWZ"><strong>Josh Matejka: </strong>Who has 10 typing fingers and no confidence in this pick? That’s right — it’s this guy! </p>
<p id="7InbEs">There are a myriad of ways I could see this game developing, and I don’t think any scenario is off the table. Maybe the least likely is a South Carolina blowout, but I still wouldn’t be shocked by anything. It all comes down to how long it takes Missouri to wake up. They’re the better team at this point, but are coming off a longer layoff than the Gamecocks. They’ve likely got more confidence as a group, though, which could help speed the recovery process. </p>
<p id="VBGn6e">Ultimately, I think Missouri is more likely to win than South Carolina, but I can’t see it being a fun game to watch. I especially don’t see Missouri pulling away at any point. I’d probably be more likely to push a -6 line, but it has since moved to -6.5, so I have to make a choice. I think Mizzou ends up covering... maybe? Idk, y’all, who knows anything anymore?</p>
<p id="ch647v"><strong>Nate Edwards: </strong>I find it hard to believe that either team wins by more than 3 here. Do you trust a team that hasn’t practiced in at least a week or a team that’s bad enough to kick their coach to the curb? I’ll say it’s the ugliest 28-27 win you can find, with the edge going to Missouri. But wow do I have no confidence in any read on this game at all.</p>
<p id="iFXjNE"><strong>Brandon Kiley: </strong>I’ve been absolutely terrible at picking Missouri games this year. I don’t think I’ve picked a single game correctly against the spread, honestly. But I’ll go ahead and take Missouri to win straight up and South Carolina to cover the spread. A 6.5-point spread just seems like a lot for a team like Missouri that still has plenty of weaknesses. I think they take care of business. But 6.5 points on the road is just too much to cover. </p>
<p id="EWCe5T">Missouri 31, South Carolina 26.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/11/20/21575112/pregamin-south-carolinaJosh MatejkaNate EdwardsBrandon Kiley