Rock M Nation - Mizzou Football in 2020, Week 12 vs. Georgia BulldogsA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2020-12-15T09:30:00-06:00http://www.rockmnation.com/rss/stream/219300372020-12-15T09:30:00-06:002020-12-15T09:30:00-06:00Beyond the Box Score: Whatever you do, do NOT look at this
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<p>It’s so bad</p> <p id="GKc8QB">Let’s play a game: I’m going to give you the success rates and total yardage of four different teams from 2020. Your challenge is to figure out which team it is based off of those stats. Here we go!</p>
<ul>
<li id="2Xy37X">Team A: 55.8% passing success rate, 45.7% rushing success rate, 629 total yards</li>
<li id="iwHksq">Team B: 40.6% passing success rate, 33.3% rushing success rate, 200 total yards</li>
<li id="1wLFOw">Team C: 34.5% passing success rate, 32.2% rushing success rate, 211 total yards</li>
<li id="G0zv91">Team D: 50.0% passing success rate, 55.8% rushing success rate, 615 total yards</li>
</ul>
<p id="K43rwA">Can you figure out who these mystery teams are?</p>
<p id="mCBmiM">I’ll give you one more second...</p>
<p id="xZePVC">...</p>
<p id="BeakHQ">Ok!</p>
<p id="YBveyz">Team A is Missouri against Vanderbilt - who is Team C - earlier this year.</p>
<p id="7ZYgDf">Team D is Georgia against Missouri - who, yeah, is team B - from this past Saturday.</p>
<p id="aAUCOC">That’s right! Georgia did to Missouri what Missouri did to Vanderbilt. </p>
<p id="vLH49H">Anyway...there’s really not a whole lot we can glean from this game but I’ll go through the key stats to show you just how dominant Georgia was.....and yet, still tied with Missouri at the half! College football is weird!</p>
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<figcaption>Advanced Box Score</figcaption>
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<h2 id="GxOZtM"><strong>Missouri’s Offense vs. Georgia’s Defense</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>Missouri’s Offense vs. Georgia’s Defense</figcaption>
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<h3 id="vWJCYu"><strong>Explosive Plays (through the air)</strong></h3>
<p id="2PcT7t">I posited that Missouri needed <em><strong>8 to 10 explosive plays </strong></em>to effectively move the ball on one of the two best defenses in the country. They got 3:</p>
<p id="KVE8b6">Larry Rountree III’s 21-yard catch in the 1st quarter</p>
<p id="vVDSvn">Messiah Swinson’s 29-yard catch from Keke Chism’s Colt-45 in the 2nd quarter</p>
<p id="X0Xavf">Damon Hazelton’s 33-yard catch at the start of the 3rd quarter</p>
<p id="TTIQsF">That’s it.</p>
<p id="tTNKOq">You’ll notice none of these are running plays. The longest rush of the day went for 9 yards; every other rush went for less than 5. Yuck.</p>
<p id="7b9pEC"><strong>Winner</strong>: Georgia</p>
<h3 id="Q76LqE"><strong>Third Downs</strong></h3>
<p id="nzLBDE">I simply asked that Missouri have a <em><strong>better third-down conversion percentage than Georgia</strong></em>. Instead, the Tigers went 3-11 (27) while the Bulldogs rudely went 8-13 (61.5%). </p>
<p id="ikofFY"><strong>Winner</strong>: Georgia</p>
<h3 id="QQq1fY"><strong>Finish your dang drives</strong></h3>
<p id="hRqP42">I thought that the Tigers needed to hit 35-40 points, either by generating 10 scoring opportunities with at least 4 points per trip OR averaging 7 points per trip over 5 scoring opportunities. Good news! Missouri averaged a season-best 7 points per opportunity! Bad news! Mizzou generated 2 scoring opportunities.</p>
<p id="KDuaip"><strong>Winner</strong>: Georgia</p>
<h2 id="ddEAME"><strong>Missouri’s Defense vs. Georgia’s Offense</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>Missouri’s Defense vs. Georgia’s Offense</figcaption>
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<h3 id="xoBUsk"><strong>Make ‘em throw</strong></h3>
<p id="LpjLRQ">The goal was to <em><strong>keep the rushing success rate under 45% and their standard downs success rate under 40%</strong></em>...but Georgia decided to have a 55.8% rushing success rate paired with a 76% success rate on standard downs. 51 of Georgia’s 74 plays were run on standard downs - a whopping 68% of all their plays - meaning 68% of the time Georgia was on pace with down and distance. Good for them. Bad for Missouri.</p>
<p id="eowjg6"><strong>Winner</strong>: Georgia</p>
<h3 id="WTJ7tJ"><strong>Turnovers</strong></h3>
<p id="ucQMdT">If you want to beat an elite team you need to generate some turnovers and I wanted to see <em><strong>Missouri at least +2 in the turnover department</strong></em>. They were -1 for the day.</p>
<p id="O6sqpC"><strong>Winner</strong>: Georgia</p>
<h2 id="IjeHWS"><strong>Extra Points</strong></h2>
<h3 id="hXrUqq"><strong>Let’s hope this is the worst it’s ever going to get for a Drinkwitz rushing attack</strong></h3>
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<figcaption>What can men do against such reckless hatred?</figcaption>
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<p id="WS0153">The Tigers averaged 1.5 yards per carry. The line opened up an average of 1.1 yards of space for the backs. If Missouri ran the ball, they got 4 yards on just 19% of their carries and were stuffed at or behind the line 28% of the time. It was a losing proposition to try to run on Georgia and they still tried 21 times to no avail. Drinkwitz offenses need a good ground game to get going; on Saturday they got nothing.</p>
<h3 id="EBOFqF"><strong>Drink definitely watched the Florida-Georgia game from earlier this season...</strong></h3>
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<figcaption>:(</figcaption>
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<p id="ikG3zD">...in which Kyle Trask abused the Georgia secondary with passes to running backs on wheel routes and slot guys going deep. Rountree and Knox combined for 12 targets in an effort to use that short passing game to break some big ones. The problem is that a.) they combined for 60 yards, and b.) Drink was using Rountree instead of Badie. Tyler had 3 targets, 2 catches, 0 yards through the air and no touches in the ground game. I’m all about not going to tried and true methods that opponents game plan for, but at some point, Drink needed to get Badie more involved, which he openly admitted to post game. However, this is the second game in a row where Badie is underutilized; against Arkansas he was the catalyst that sparked the comeback, against Georgia he was mostly kept on the sideline.</p>
<h3 id="UVseTw"><strong>These might be the only stats you need:</strong></h3>
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<figcaption>LOOK AT ALL THE BLOOD</figcaption>
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<p id="IipjBz">I’m not sure how many teams have won a game while running 20 fewer plays for 415 fewer yards and getting more than doubled up in yards per play. I’m sure there’s one or two, but yeah, there was just no way Missouri was winning this game.</p>
<h3 id="8qrpna"><strong>However, this is really the one stat you need:</strong></h3>
<p id="AXoLBr">Since 2017, Georgia has recruited 76 blue-chip players, 2nd best in the SEC behind Alabama’s 87. In that same time frame Missouri has recruited 4 blue-chip players, worst in the SEC. Yes, even worse than Vanderbilt who has 7.</p>
<p id="kJswT9">Drinkwitz is improving the recruiting but it’s going to take awhile. And until Missouri isn’t getting 16-fewer blue-chippers than the <em>third worst recruiting team in the SEC, </em>they can’t reliably expect to compete in games against the elites. Yes, scheme and development help close the gap a little. But it’s way better to scheme and develop 4- and 5-star guys than 2- and 3-star guys.</p>
<h2 id="s0ACrs"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p id="2MPsqk">Georgia was way better and it showed. Missouri gets at least one more chance to win a game as they hit the road against an evenly-matched opponent in Mississippi State.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/beyond-the-box-score/2020/12/15/22175703/beyond-the-box-score-whatever-you-do-do-not-look-at-thisNate Edwards2020-12-15T07:00:00-06:002020-12-15T07:00:00-06:00The Revue: Missouri starts with promise before it all goes Downhill
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<p>The latest feature from Mizzou Studios had the recipe to be a hit, but turns out to be nothing but a clunker of a remake.</p> <h1 id="0dd28Q">Downhill</h1>
<p id="AcLdAt"><strong>Directed By:</strong> Eli Drinkwitz</p>
<p id="bvN4Om"><strong>Starring</strong>: Larry Rountree, Grant McKinniss, Connor Bazelak, Damon Hazelton, Martez Manuel</p>
<p id="mcG4ws"><strong>Synopsis: </strong>In the face of a chaotic performance, Mizzou falls flat on their face, raising questions about internal improvements that need to be made.</p>
<p id="G90DmK"><strong>Rating:</strong></p>
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<p id="iNyuLL">You know how some movies are announced and your initial thought is, “Oh, that’s going to be bad.” Be it the cast or the story, you just know the feature is destined to be an all-out suck fest... but you’re still kind of intrigued? </p>
<p id="s9Zx7J">Perhaps it’s out of morbid curiosity, or maybe it’s the potential for a bad thing to transcend its own badness. But there’s something about it that draws you in, reaches into your wallet and invests. And, lo and behold, it’s just as crappy as you imagined. Way to go, idiot, you spent $20 on those tickets!</p>
<p id="G8s3yi">Mizzou Studio’s latest — the disastrous and aptly named <em>Downhill</em> — is one such feature, a bomb that promised you long before its release that it was going to, in fact, bomb. But even the slightest hint of promise draws you in just enough so that when it turns out rotten, you feel bad for getting your hopes up.</p>
<p id="lmydzP">Set against the backdrop of a cold winter morning, <em>Downhill</em> finds our Tigers living the high life. Everything is coming up roses for our cast of characters when a veritable avalanche — a cascading, rampaging pack of Bulldogs — invades their space. Given the chance to step up and heroically defend themselves, the Tigers instead crumble in the face of adversity. What follows is a long slog of self-reflection, one that doesn’t live up to the lofty standard Mizzou Studios has recently set for itself.</p>
<p id="3SDPXL">The problem right off the top is obvious — this is a bad case of miscasting. Sure, the stars may be good enough to handle a feature like this (Martez Manuel is particularly good in a bigger-than-usual role), but the supporting actors and bit players? They’re blown off the screen, lacking the sort of experience one needs to pull off such a high concept picture. It’s not as if the talent isn’t there; it just hasn’t been given a chance to blossom yet. You can almost feel the desperation in their performances — and in Eli Drinkwitz’s frantic direction — as they try to make sense of the world they inhabit. It’s sympathy-inducing, if not all that effective as a production.</p>
<p id="8UfhL2"><em>Downhill</em> also continues a recent run of disappointing work from Assistant Director Ryan Walters. His work on the Defensive Unit stood out in some of Eli Drinkwitz’s early work at Mizzou Studios, but Walters seems to have slipped in recent efforts. There has been some question about the cast he’s working with and whether or not he has the right personnel to effectively man his duties. That’s a fair complaint to make, but we know enough about him to think he’s probably leaving some good material off the table. It’s not panic inducing at the moment, but it’s disheartening to see after such a promising start.</p>
<p id="v5Fa8V">Speaking of promising starts, the whole of the thing doesn’t do itself any favors by starting off with a banger of an Act One. Up until the avalanche hits, the Tigers respond well to the adversity thrown their way, deflecting nicely and creating some nice, light-hearted tension perfect for a Saturday morning. But then Act One comes to a close, and the whole thing falls apart. It’s almost as if the characters in the story (or the cast and crew, for that matter) weren’t prepared for any more shakeups and didn’t know how to adjust accordingly. The promise of the first third of the film gives way to something of a desolate mess, and it’s all the worse for it.</p>
<p id="fToL8e">Maybe the most disappointing thing, however, is that <em>Downhill</em> crudely resembles <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvONDP2ba_o">a more effective piece from back in 2013</a>. It’s the same premise with an entirely different cast of characters, director and off-screen crew. But that version had an edge to it that <em>Downhill</em> is sorely lacking. Perhaps the people involved with the original production were better prepared or better placed for that sort of story. The <a href="https://twitter.com/NathalieABC17/status/1337873251209519106">nods to the original</a> are a nice touch, but don’t carry nearly as much weight when the story doesn’t unfold with the same energy.</p>
<p id="MFOUQe">All in all, it’s probably best to leave <em>Downhill</em> in the rearview mirror. There are probably lessons to be found somewhere in such a disappointment, but they’re best learned by the people who make the movies, not those who watch. Do yourself a favor and forget all about this one. You can bet the people who made will try and do the same.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020/12/15/22175735/the-revue-missouri-georgia-football-starts-with-promise-before-it-all-goes-downhillJosh Matejka2020-12-14T12:30:00-06:002020-12-14T12:30:00-06:00MV3: In a game of negatives, only a few players stood out
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Georgia at Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xkBhZWsVs9Y3Mh5rPhmRpN4fXHk=/21x0:4728x3138/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68511049/usa_today_15305439.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Yeah, we actually picked three guys worthy of mentioning!</p> <p id="8k8I4h">It’s been a minute since Missouri was on the losing end of a football game, and let me tell you, MV3’s are not as much fun to put together in those cases! It’s been extra weird in 2020, as Missouri’s four losses have all come by margins of two-plus touchdowns. Sometimes you can find the positives of a close loss, but there’s not much to take away from a margin of 35 points.</p>
<p id="Ij9Usg">That being said, there were a few players who impressed us on Saturday, even if just for a play or two.</p>
<h1 id="pjonuH">1. Martez Manuel</h1>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Georgia at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3c5VXvSfhuZKNqwnI_M-WVLhZVg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22168099/usa_today_15305335.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="QAKilM">It feels scandalous to have a defensive player at No. 1 after the abomination of a performance the defense turned in on Saturday. But Manuel did stand out amidst the bunch, totaling seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Manuel still has things to work on, but he’s primed to become the new leader of the defense when Nick Bolton heads to the NFL next season.</p>
<h1 id="qnyogT">2. Grant McKinniss</h1>
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<cite>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="CeLOyf">This is so bad, we had to go all the way back to the Alabama game to find a picture! You never want your punter to be one of the highlights of the game (with a special exemption to that Kentucky game, good on you, Grant). But McKinniss performed well when called upon, averaging 43.1 yards per punt and pinning Georgia deep in their own territory several times. It didn’t work out well even then... but that’s not his job, now is it?</p>
<h1 id="uUaAI2">3. Mason Pack</h1>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Georgia at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LeYbbfMKHQi2Q-RR3M7GyMIegak=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22168110/usa_today_15305439.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="sPKOnV">If we’re going to be here, we might as well shoutout Pack, yeah? The redshirt senior walk-on single-handedly got Missouri back into the game early on by blocking a punt deep in Georgia territory. The play led quickly to a score, tying the game at 14-14. It was all downhill from there, but Pack’s tenacity on special teams gave the Tigers a chance to compete in the margins of the game.</p>
<p id="glWO04"><em>Others receiving votes: Keke Chism, Jersey Mike</em></p>
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<p id="2xRyXj">What do y’all think? Were there three players worthy of recognition after Saturday’s debacle? Let us know what you think in the comments or on Twitter at @RockMNation.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020/12/14/22173394/mv3-in-a-game-of-negatives-only-a-few-players-stood-outJosh Matejka2020-12-14T07:00:00-06:002020-12-14T07:00:00-06:00The Good, Bad and Ugly: Georgia
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<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Examining everything good, bad, and ugly from Missouri’s blowout loss to Georgia.</p> <p id="HxWPTa"></p>
<h1 id="wBXnOY">The Good: </h1>
<p id="WDK2OO">This Tigers team showed a lot of fight. They started the game off with a weird turnover, and in the blink of an eye, it was 14-0. It was a testament to the group of men on this team that they picked themselves up off the field, and promptly fought back. A few defensive stops, and a blocked punt later, this game was tied at 14 a piece. They were flying around, making plays, and hitting JT Daniels so hard that I thought his little baby mustache was going to fall off. </p>
<p id="SVAjin">Obviously, we know what happened from that point, but it was nice to see what is a clearly undermanned group continue to fight. It may not mean anything on the scoreboard, but it is part of creating a culture and from a fan’s perspective, it gave us all a brief moment of belief that something special could be in the mix. </p>
<p id="y7PdQh">Oh, and in the loss, Trajan Jeffcoat logged another sack. That brings his total to 6, which has him tied for the league high. He’s turned himself into quite the player, and in my opinion is slowly making a case to some of these professional scouts that he can play at the next level. </p>
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<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<h1 id="L1zhiu">The Bad: </h1>
<p id="qeGHGT">Missouri was manhandled in the trenches. I knew it, you knew it, Georgia knew it, and so did Coach Drinkwitz. </p>
<p id="KFoE3R">On a micro level, it just wasn’t good. There was no push offensively to open up lanes, and Connor Bazelak was under duress way too often. Just not good enough. On defense, the ends struggled with contain, and the tackles simply just got pushed back out of holes. There were numerous occasions where the Georgia was driving Missouri’s interior line five yards back. Just not good enough. </p>
<p id="NHhiq4">On a macro level, it really underscores how limited Missouri is, and will be, until they truly start getting some of these elite linemen. To this coaching staff’s credit, they have emphasized the trenches in this recruiting cycle. They’ve got commitments from nine lineman, (seven defensive, two offensive) and some pretty good ones at that. That’s a great start, but continuing to recruit the big boys at an elite level is a must for this program to reach the heights that we all want them to. </p>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Georgia at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xhQh226oEei90GFG7Ak7zFe_HZQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22165083/usa_today_15305447.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="Y4bael"></p>
<h1 id="4Y4jog">The Ugly: </h1>
<p id="eA3E4p">A few quick thoughts;</p>
<ul>
<li id="X3hweU">This secondary started two true freshmen at cornerback, and it certainly looked like it. They looked young physically. They played like it, too. I actually thought that on a few of the deep balls caught by George Pickens that Ishmael Burdine was so close and in great position. He just didn’t make the play. A wise person once told me that, “Close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades.” He’ll get there. </li>
<li id="78AjQ2">I said it during the game, but Nick Bolton looks like something is bothering him physically. He missed a few tackles that he normally makes, and could be seen grimacing at certain points of the game. He’s been the heart and soul of this defense, and I respect him so much for gutting it out for the team. As we’ve seen around the SEC, not all of these guys who are probable draft picks are actually finishing their season. Nick Bolton is though. </li>
<li id="i4mdp4">Connor Bazelak finally looked a little frazzled. Georgia’s defense will do that. I also don’t think that his interception was really his fault either. It would’ve been a tough catch, but Bazelak put that ball in a nice spot. Overall, he was ok. Bazelak just isn’t ready to put the team on his back like that. </li>
<li id="3lV4fk">I really wanted to see more of Tyler Badie. Especially considering the game script. Badie is one of the only home run threats on this offense. I know that Georgia smothered the offense as a whole, but zero carries and only two catches isn’t good enough. Drink even acknowledged as such: </li>
</ul>
<div id="DFy2gM">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drinkwitz places some blame on himself for the interception on the second play, says it wasn't a very good play call. Also says he should have gotten Larry Rountree and Tyler Badie more involved.</p>— Mitchell Forde (@Mitchell4D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitchell4D/status/1337857892217548801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="jVlPqB">On to Starksville. </p>
<p id="19CuRJ"></p>
<p id="OQcRsR"><em><strong>Follow me on Twitter @iAirDry</strong></em></p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/12/14/22173355/copy-of-the-good-bad-and-ugly-georgia-bulldogs-missouri-tigersAaron Dryden2020-12-12T17:50:39-06:002020-12-12T17:50:39-06:00Georgia routes Mizzou 49-14
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Georgia at Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-TZLqeZ2JIXr3-Q1opEW4bK0d38=/0x166:4160x2939/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68503425/usa_today_15305447.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Missouri was unable to find an answer as the Bulldogs put up 35 unanswered points.</p> <p id="7Ap05v">The <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com">Missouri Tigers</a> came into this highly anticipated matchup against Georgia having won 5 of their last 6 games, and had just made their first appearance in the College Football playoff ranking at 25th. Despite the lack of fans in attendance, there was an energy in the air this morning.</p>
<p id="jAcIA4">After Connor Bazelak threw just his third interception of the year on the second play from scrimmage, Georgia didn’t even need to throw the ball to get into the end zone. Bulldog running back Kenny McIntosh easily scored from the 2 yard line to give Georgia an early touchdown lead. </p>
<p id="xSG06a">Georgia’s game plan seemed focused, as they converted another touchdown after facing a 3rd and 8 on the Tiger’s 37 yard line. Quarterback, JT Daniels connected with James Cook for a touchdown to put the Bulldogs up two scores, which sucked the air out of the stadium.</p>
<p id="smRHaP">Missouri needed to respond on their next drive and they got things rolling early with a pass to Larry Rountree III that went for 21 yards. The first quarter came to an end but the Tigers were putting together a promising drive.</p>
<p id="oUSwwi">To get the second quarter started, Eli Drinkwitz decided to open up the playbook and try some trickery. Keke Chism motioned out for a catch, but rather than running upfield, he stayed behind the line of scrimmage and threw a 29 yard pass to Messiah Swinson who carried it to the 2 yard line. On the very next play, Bazelak strolled into the end zone on an option-read, and suddenly the Tigers were back in the ball game.</p>
<p id="vDCzYe">After showing little resistance early, the Missouri defense held. With the ball back, Bazelak and the Tigers took over on their own 20 and feeling some momentum. But the momentum was halted as Bazelak carried the ball attempting to pick up a 1st down, he slid late and took a knee to the helmet which sent him to the sideline. Freshman Brady Cook stepped in during his absence, but was unable to move the Tigers any further. </p>
<p id="YJ86zl">Bazelak said his right hand was stepped on during that play. “I got banged up last game and took some hits this game, but it’s a tough game and you just gotta move on,” Bazelak explained.</p>
<p id="difV5B">The true freshman quarterback struggled to muster anything offensively and punter Grant McKinniss made his second appearance of the afternoon. Any momentum the Tigers had was drained quickly.</p>
<p id="jeqFKS">After both teams exchanged punts, Mizzou’s defense continued to make life hard on Georgia’s Daniels. After a 3-and-out, and with under 4 minutes to play in the half, Missouri’s special teams came up with the play of the half, blocking Georgia’s punt. Freshman LB Will Norris recovered the ball on the 1 yard line, and Missouri was in scoring position again. </p>
<p id="Fq95Mi">After two plays, Larry Rountree III scampered into the end zone and picked up his 12th touchdown of the season. The score tied the game at 14, and the stadium was noticeably louder than it had been at any point all season following Missouri’s second touchdown. </p>
<p id="3YTyj4">The energy didn’t last as the Bulldogs quickly moved the ball down the field. JT Daniels had his best drive of the day and the Bulldogs drove the length of the field through the air and topped off a precise drive with a 36 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver George Pickens to retake the lead with 37 seconds remaining.</p>
<p id="bkhIzU">After taking the lead, Georgia received the ball to start the second half and immediately resorted back to the ground game. Running back Zamir White rushed for 36 yards on the second play of the half to put the Bulldogs in field goal range. Then on 3rd and 10 from the Tigers 31, Missouri’s defense whiffed badly and allowed JT Daniels to throw a 31 yard touchdown, again to Pickens. </p>
<p id="GApEqH">The Bulldogs extended their lead later. A healthy dosage of run and pass put the Bulldogs up past midfield, and that was all Zamir White needed to break off a 43 yard touchdown. Georgia didn’t stop there, either. Halfway through the third, the Tigers’ chances were looking slim down three touchdowns, and it only expanded from there, as the Tigers offense struggled to move the football. </p>
<p id="GXLuZ6">Larry Rountree III was held in check and Tyler Badie never got a chance to make anything happen. Missouri couldn’t handle Georgia’s line up front all game and the Bulldogs finished with 316 yards rushing. After the game, when Coach Eli Drinkwitz was asked where he thought his team didn’t match up well with Georgia, he said, “In the trenches.”</p>
<p id="zt0zpL">Coach explained that the game plan was to prevent the run, which is why Georgia was able to take advantage of 1 on 1 coverage through the air. “We were trying to load the box, but when you do that it opens up the passing game and it’s a pick your poison situation,” Drinkwitz said.</p>
<p id="XtLAEu">A dominating three offensive touchdowns from the Bulldogs in the third quarter is what put this game on ice. The Tigers’ offensive woes continued to haunt them into the fourth quarter. Halfway through the final quarter, Larry Rountree had a mere 17 yards rushing despite 13 carries. His final stat line was even worse, 14 carries for 16 yards. </p>
<p id="gmisI6">Bazelak explained the difficulties to run an effective offense without a run game. “It makes my job more difficult, but you’ve got to find a way to get down fields and find points.”</p>
<p id="y0IBOm">The final score wasn’t pretty this afternoon. The Tigers dropped to 5-4 on the season following a brutal 49-14 loss. </p>
<p id="NiDoYA">After the game, Coach Eli Drinkwitz met with the press. He kept his message short and sweet.</p>
<p id="Jj7LlS">“We’re just not there right now with our program. You need your best stuff in order to beat a team like that and we didn’t have it,” Drinkwitz explained. “I thought our special teams gave us a chance but not our offense and defense”.</p>
<p id="WCKMPl">While Coach Drinkwitz was visibly upset with the loss, he expressed his confidence in his team going forward. “... I wish we would have played better but we didn’t. I don’t question our team’s fight...our team will respond”.</p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/12/12/22171235/game-story-mizzou-football-vs-georgia-scoreJacobgiancola162020-12-12T14:15:49-06:002020-12-12T14:15:49-06:00Tigers winning streak is halted by Bulldogs
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Georgia at Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/M7NC8bhMnZQby4v2H6KCCH8c7Z0=/0x52:2941x2013/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68502785/usa_today_15305407.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Missouri came up short in today’s matchup versus Georgia, Lose 49-14, move to 5-4 on the season.</p> <p id="KyQ5yl">The Tigers just couldn’t handle the Bulldogs today. They shot themselves in the foot with the turnover on their first possession, and the Bulldogs never looked back. There was a period there in the first half when the game was tied at 14 and Missouri looked like they could hang with Georgia, but that just wasn’t the case. </p>
<p id="NQxafQ">Between Georgia running backs, Mcintosh, Cook, Edwards, and White, the Bulldogs looked unstoppable. the four of them combined had five of Georgia’s touchdowns. </p>
<p id="5ntXur">Less then 50 rushing yards before the half is sad, but less than 50 rush yards all game is humiliating. Larry Rountree III was kept in check all game. Without the threat of a run game, the Tigers’s offense was ineffective. </p>
<p id="tCDnOU">While Missouri’s offense was seemingly shut down all afternoon, the 21 unanswered points in the third quarter is what blew this game up. The Tiger’s secondary struggled to stop both the run and pass game of Georgia. </p>
<p id="Jt10eB">The Tigers didn’t get the win this afternoon, but are still eligible for a bowl game with a win next week against Mississippi State.</p>
<div id="cVe2iq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FINAL | Regular season finale in Starkville next Saturday. <br><br> <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/RpH5GfPNYV">pic.twitter.com/RpH5GfPNYV</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1337853248003317760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/12/12/22171453/tigers-winning-streak-is-halted-by-bulldogsJacobgiancola162020-12-11T15:00:00-06:002020-12-11T15:00:00-06:00PREGAMIN’ GEORGIA
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<p>WE RANKED AND FEELIN’ PEACHY AS HELL</p> <h2 id="EugCJm">Keep Calm and Wear a Mask</h2>
<ul>
<li id="NnbKZ2">On Thursday, <a href="https://twitter.com/CoMo_HealthDept/status/1337157032860901381?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">Columbia reported 104 new positives</a> and a 35th total death from COVID-19.</li>
<li id="Gven4n">The Google overview for CoMo shows that cases are falling from the November peak, but <a href="https://g.co/kgs/2MTj7K">are still up and down</a> with any given day and certainly higher than almost any point in 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="7qVkIS">All Aboard the Hype Train</h2>
<div id="ZhBCPJ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great moments are born from great opportunity. <br><br>Saturday: All they want, is all you got.<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/edBfxSNBOh">pic.twitter.com/edBfxSNBOh</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1337196651124051969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="XisD04">Right-down-the-middle highlights. I do find it fascinating that they chose this opportunity as sort of a referendum on the year as a whole, showing clips from games all the way back to <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a>. It does kind of feel, at least in a narrative sense, that last week was the climax of the season. After all, the Georgia game is likely a loss (sorry, see below) and the <a href="https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com">Mississippi State</a> game feels largely unimportant... if only because it’s a game Missouri should win.</p>
<h2 id="snUEfZ">So Fresh and So Clean, Clean</h2>
<div id="Y3pnsq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Classic beauty. <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/kxodtsEtkp">pic.twitter.com/kxodtsEtkp</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1337423144060010501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="a8dNEv">As the Mizzou Football Twitter account said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”</p>
<h2 id="GNkDvD">What the “Experts” are Saying</h2>
<ul>
<li id="msW2ZC">At the Post-Dispatch, Dave Matter <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/quick-hits-biggest-mizzou-day-ever-dave-matter-lends-some-perspective-in-his-weekly-chat/collection_670f695c-3e7b-57ac-89b7-9d99cd18462d.html">asks if this is the biggest Mizzou Sports day ever</a> and Ben Hochman <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/ten-hochman-can-mizzou-beat-georgia-can-mizzou-beat-illinois/video_537cd9f3-bb0c-5db4-ba5e-a253f0bc45d9.html">assesses Mizzou’s chances in both</a> the football and basketball matchups.</li>
<li id="SuqhtO">Souichi Terada says that the game against Georgia <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article247770050.html#storylink=mainstage_lead">gives Missouri a chance to measure</a> just how special this season is.</li>
<li id="YTkKBb">Most of the CBS Sports writers are <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/georgia-vs-missouri-prediction-pick-odds-point-spread-line-football-game-kickoff-time-live-stream/">picking Missouri against the spread</a>, but one notable college football voice on staff is also picking them straight up!</li>
<li id="tmBMB9">Both writers at Saturday Down South are picking Georgia, though one says <a href="https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/sec-week-12-predictions-game-picks-bets-wagers-football-2020/">Missouri could keep things close</a> late into the second half.</li>
<li id="nrNs1x">Kind of off the beaten path, but here’s a wild set of picks from <a href="http://SI.com">SI.com</a>, where the publisher of Irish Breakdown is <a href="https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/football-game-prediction-georgia-missouri">picking Missouri to win</a> 31-27? Sure, sure</li>
</ul>
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<h2 id="PBzExR">Whew. What a weekend, right? Missouri’s win over Arkansas wasn’t always pretty, but at the end of the day a win is a win is a win. There’s plenty to celebrate from the Battle Line victory, from Harrison Mevis’ thicc kicks to Larry Rountree turning the Hogs into pavement. But go ahead and highlight one thing that you think was a key to Missouri’s win that not a lot of people talked about.</h2>
<p id="8POVeU"><strong>Josh Matejka, Deputy Manager: </strong>As early as the LSU game, Mizzou fans were ready to put both Keke Chism and Damon Hazelton out to pasture. Both grad transfers had mile-high expectations coming into the season, but failed to show anything of substance over the first four games. It got so bad at one point that Hazelton started riding the bench.</p>
<p id="wkysqL">But against Arkansas, the potential we heard so much about came to pass. To be fair, Keke Chism had been percolating over the past few weeks, but he was nigh unstoppable against the Razorbacks, making NFL-caliber catches against good coverage. It’s probably time to start talking about him as Missouri’s best receiver. </p>
<p id="VS9m4l">As for Hazelton, his 2020 story embodies the adversity Drinkwitz talked about post-game. The transfer has dealt with drops, COVID-19 and a benching. But instead of packing it in, he bode his time. When he was called upon during the final drive, the former Hokie was a monster, and Arkansas had no answer for his combination of size and athleticism. Overall, Chism and Hazelton combined for 211 yards on 19.2 yards per catch. That’s 55 percent of Connor Bazelak’s total yardage on the day. If that’s not what you wanted out of the two before the season started, then I don’t know what to tell you.</p>
<p id="tZC2SK"><strong>Nate Edwards, Football Editor: </strong>I feel like there were many aspects that contributed to the win that have been well covered, so I’m going to go deep into the B-tracks to give you an answer. Barrett Banister had 6 catches on 6 targets against the Hogs with an 83% success rate. Here’s how they happened:</p>
<ul>
<li id="Ymw4J0">Q2: 3rd & 7, 9-yard catch</li>
<li id="fGBOPq">Q2: 3rd & 8, 9-yard catch</li>
<li id="83z7nf">Q3: 2nd & 5, 6-yard catch</li>
<li id="lZhgnV">Q3: 3rd & 10, 8-yard catch</li>
<li id="2R2Xsl">Q4: 1st & 5, 18-yard catch</li>
<li id="ImQbnE">Q4: 2nd & 11, 10-yard catch</li>
</ul>
<p id="fr4fZZ">When Drinkwitz was hired he talked about finding, “touchdown makers,” but what about first down makers? Those are important, too, and Missouri absolutely has one in Banister. Of Banister’s 31 targets he’s had 22 catches for a 51% success rate, and NINE of those catches have been on 3rd or 4th down where he converted. The dude isn’t as dynamic as his peers, but damn if he doesn’t keep the chains moving. Against Arkansas, it was absolutely imperative that he do so.</p>
<p id="v6HQAU">For his career, Banister has 57 catches for 540 yards and a touchdown. In two(ish) games against Arkansas, he has 14 catches for 132 yards, meaning this one opponent represents 24% of his catches and yardage. He must really love sticking it to his home state school.</p>
<h2 id="wvc5d4">Let’s talk recruiting. At the end of his presser, Drinkwitz mentioned that recruits are taking notice of Mizzou’s growth. One week ago, he backed that talk up by landing Isaac Thompson. How much has the program’s profile risen in Drink’s first year?</h2>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Vanderbilt at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1Hs6nfkApby1meJBlmBi4BDaqSk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22156374/usa_today_15269613.jpg">
<cite>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="bqIFj0"><strong>Josh Matejka: </strong>This is a subject I’m very interested in at the moment, and I plan on doing a deeper dive closer to National Signing Day. But the answer is quite obviously, “a lot.” Drinkwitz is gearing up to deliver one of the three or four best Missouri classes of the 21st century, and he had most of it wrapped before any football was played. The results on the field have been nothing but a boon to that success, and could pay off even more if you believe some of the rumblings in the Mizzou corners of the internet.</p>
<p id="jm1fQo"><strong>Nate Edwards: </strong>Substantially! From 2016-2019 the Odom staff landed 7 blue-chip recruits; three of which were holdovers from the Pinkel staff and two of which never made it on to campus. In their first true recruiting class of 2021 — aka not the salvage job they inherited for 2020 — the Drinkwitz staff have commitments from 4 blue-chippers plus the 4-star Thompson for 2022 (<em>editor’s note: plus the Lovett commit this morning</em>). So, simple math tells you he has already exceed the Odom staff’s ability to attract top talent. Now, teams don’t succeed with only the highly rated guys, you have to find and develop the 2- and 3-star guys as well. But he’s beaten Alabama head-to-head already for Ennis Rakestraw, beat the Tide again for Travion Ford and Ryan Hoerstkamp (barring a late flip), as well as LSU, <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a>, Iowa, and <a href="https://www.tomahawknation.com/">Florida State</a> in other head-to-head recruiting battles. It’s not that this hasn’t happened before under previous head coaches but certainly not at this rate. I’m shocked that Drink has had so much success, so quickly, at freaking MISSOURI. I just hope the momentum is able to continue because recruiting well is fun as hell.</p>
<h2 id="UQExpo">Ah yes, there’s actual football to discuss. This week marks the first time since Florida that Missouri is going to be a heavy underdog. Georgia has had a disappointing season, but is elite from a talent perspective. Are there any reasons to think Missouri has a puncher’s chance?</h2>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Mississippi State at Georgia" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fxw0lDvDgp1UVsIc3XuI7jEk7-0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22160439/usa_today_15223138.jpg">
<cite>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="cWtWrv"><strong>Josh Matejka: </strong>Yeah, and it’s the same reason any team has a shot at any game in any week — it’s 2020, and college football is weird as hell. </p>
<p id="0J1bgW">That being said, Georgia represents the third best team Mizzou will play all year, and they’re going to out-talent the Tigers by a substantial margin. That’s especially true now that they have J.T. Daniels running the show, and Missouri’s struggling secondary is going to have a monumental task in stopping him. Missouri’s defense (37th in SP+) and Georgia’s offense (34th in SP+) are evenly matched, but those numbers don’t tell the story of where the two units currently sit.</p>
<p id="38ATbe">If there is a chance, it’s predicated on the hope that Missouri’s offense is trending upward. The Tigers hung 600+ yards on an OK Arkansas defense last week. Mizzou’s most talented wide receivers are starting to show up. Rountree and Badie are a force. And Connor Bazelak may go to his grave without ever throwing another pick. Georgia’s defense is the second best in the country (haha YIKES!), but Missouri still probably isn’t as bad as where they currently rank (94th). For there to be any chance of an upset, the Tigers will have to catch the Dawgs sleeping. </p>
<p id="EdLX9G"><strong>Nate Edwards: </strong>No.</p>
<p id="G5gWJz">I mean, can anything happen in college football? Yes, yes it can. But the Georgia we’ve seen for 80 percent of the year was without a quarterback. They now have an awesome quarterback. And while their defense is a bit dinged up, player to player, they far outclass what Missouri can put on the field. Missouri is going to have to generate 10 scoring opportunities — like they did against LSU and Arkansas — and average close to 7 points per trip in order to hang with a Georgia offense that gets to feast on a thin Tiger defensive line and a secondary without Jarvis Ware.</p>
<h2 id="IEfVDH">PICK ‘EM! Missouri opened as a 13-point dog, and the line has held all week. The Tigers have been good against the spread in 2020. Can they cover or, dare we say, win outright?</h2>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Arkansas at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YH2X2jActBBkTFY3iN3-l0OgsCg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22160436/usa_today_15272214.jpg">
<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="ONuGcE"><strong>Josh Matejka: </strong>As much as I hate to say it, 13 points is probably a bit too close for the Tigers. As much as I believe the offense is better than 94th in the country, Georgia’s defense is still elite, even with injuries. The Tiger defense has probably peaked, and they’ll be missing Jarvis Ware and Tre Williams, one of the few dependable pass rushers on the defensive line before he left the team. Never say never, but there’s probably too much working against Mizzou for them to pull off the dramatic upset. It’ll probably be something like 34-16 Georgia by the time it’s all said and done.</p>
<p id="YwlpQS"><strong>Nate Edwards: </strong>I see Georgia getting J.T. Daniels plenty of passing opportunities in the 1st and 2nd quarters, going up by 17, then relying on their elite running game to coast to the end. Missouri has the ability to scrap for a half, but if Daniels is playing they’ll probably fall behind and get a late score to make it somewhat respectable. I’m thinking 38-14 Dawgs. Prove me wrong, please.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/12/11/22158427/pregamin-georgia-missouri-football-previewJosh MatejkaNate Edwards2020-12-11T10:00:00-06:002020-12-11T10:00:00-06:00LOOK: For the third week in a row, the shirts and pants are good
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<p>Back in black, I hit the sack, I wear Block M’s cuz ovals are whack</p> <p id="qZF3fC">For the first time since...2011, maybe?...Missouri will be wearing the exact same uniform/helmet combo for the third straight game.</p>
<p id="G2mwyH">Behold!</p>
<div id="jrKJmY">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If it ain't broke, don't fix it 〽️<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/5jReUTbLyv">pic.twitter.com/5jReUTbLyv</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1337420196529639427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="VgWIB3">Look how happy Martez and Devin are. The all black, Block M helmets have that effect on people.</p>
<div id="0IA7gY">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pride.<br>Passion.<br>Purpose. <br><br>See you tomorrow. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/AKTAzNYdVl">pic.twitter.com/AKTAzNYdVl</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1337426921102032896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="m1Mm8b">But hey, if this team is going to compete like it did from 2006-2011 then they might as well look like the teams from 2006-2011. I’m 100% on board with this.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Classic beauty. <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/kxodtsEtkp">pic.twitter.com/kxodtsEtkp</a></p>— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1337423144060010501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a>
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<p id="hYvlgk">I love unique uniform looks for teams but, frankly, uniform combos have gone so far the other way, completely oversaturating at every level, that I’m now getting crotchety and longing for the “simpler times” of yore...like the early 2000s. I would love it if every team were limited to one home uni, one road uni, one alt uni, and a minimum of two helmet designs. Enough to let schools have fun and be different but not to the point where I can’t recognize the teams playing on TV, i.e. <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a> is suddenly wearing all black and Illinois is wearing all blue.</p>
<p id="ofoqr7">Point is: should the all-black, Block M helmet be the permanent home uniform?</p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2020-mizzou-football/2020/12/11/22169621/look-for-the-third-week-in-a-row-the-shirts-and-pants-are-goodNate Edwards