Rock M Nation - Mizzou Football in 2021: Week 5 vs. TennesseeA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2021-10-05T09:00:00-05:00http://www.rockmnation.com/rss/stream/224624702021-10-05T09:00:00-05:002021-10-05T09:00:00-05:00Beyond The Box Score: “I’M SAD”
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<p>How to lose your defensive coordinator job in 60 minutes</p> <p id="bBts9n">I’ll show you a bunch of charts and numbers that characterize the 62-24 molly-whoppin’ Tennessee delivered to Mizzou on Saturday but truly, this is the only image you need:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Me too, buddy. Me too. <a href="https://t.co/RMwiDBxKI3">pic.twitter.com/RMwiDBxKI3</a></p>— Adam Spencer (@AdamSpencer4) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSpencer4/status/1444372575535071233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="eTXZR7">Regardless, I will do my job. For you. Because otherwise I don’t know why I’m doing it.</p>
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<figcaption>Advanced Box Score</figcaption>
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<p id="sPSNRa">So that’s what an ass beating looks like. And what sucks is that the Missouri offense, essentially, played the same game it usually plays. The difference is that the defense threw up, slipped on their vomit, landed in it, and then exploded. </p>
<p id="tmBztP">Let’s look at my keys to the game because...tradition!</p>
<h2 id="2ivP8G"><strong>When Missouri Has the Ball</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>Missouri Offense vs. Tennessee Defense</figcaption>
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<p id="njyPxe">44% success rate running the ball and 46% success rate passing the ball seems high, right? Especially given the total inability for the ground game to not get tackled in the backfield. </p>
<h3 id="YkHIP9"><strong>Convert on 3rd Downs</strong></h3>
<p id="0XmGWf">Coming in to the game the Tennessee defense was forcing 3-and-outs 50% of the time while the Missouri offense was going 3-and-out 18% of the time. Missouri had two 3-and-outs in 10 possessions which is 20%, so that was about par for the course. The issue is that, even if you’re not getting thrown off the field in three plays, you do need to convert whatever 3rd-downs you get. I figured Mizzou would need a <em><strong>70% conversion rate</strong></em> to keep up with Tennessee; they ended with <em>43.7%</em> with an average distance to go on 3rd-down of <em>8.6 yards</em>. On a day where Missouri averaged <em>5.3 yards per play</em>.</p>
<p id="cz4Mhp"><strong>Winner</strong>: Tennessee</p>
<h3 id="tU2YYX"><strong>Throw to Win</strong></h3>
<p id="WtxyLJ">I asked for a <em><strong>45% success rate when throwing the ball </strong></em>and got 46%, the second worst passing success rate on the year behind the Central Michigan game. This was exacerbated by four drops - three by Keke Chism alone - but, even if those passes were caught, it wasn’t going to make much of a difference. Tennessee’s defensive line was good enough to create pressure by itself and the rest of the defense played off and made sure that nothing got behind them. Football is easy!</p>
<p id="XQ9W0f"><strong>Winner</strong>: Tennessee</p>
<h3 id="p6b2BN"><strong>Finish your dang drives</strong></h3>
<p id="lK1lXF">I hoped for <em><strong>7 scoring opportunities with 5 points scored per opportunity</strong></em>. We got 5 scoring opportunities with 4.8 points per opportunity. That wouldn’t have cut it if Tennessee had merely played to their season averages in both, let alone dropped a ten ton atomic bomb onto Faurot. </p>
<p id="gIe5nt"><strong>Winner</strong>: Tennessee</p>
<h2 id="9u4WlN"><strong>When Tennessee Has the Ball</strong></h2>
<p id="HgDaXK">Hey, kid, do you want to see a dead body?</p>
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<figcaption>Missouri’s guys who happen to take the field when an opponent has the ball vs. Tennessee’s offense</figcaption>
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<p id="O3s5uE">Hey, Martez Manuel had a good havoc game! Let’s see what everyone else did in that regard!</p>
<p id="0vQGc6">Oh.</p>
<h3 id="9oVDPY"><strong>Pounce on Passing Downs</strong></h3>
<p id="R61hWz">Passing downs is 2nd-and-8+, 3rd-and-5+, and 4th-and-5+. Tennessee ran 79 plays. Of those 79 plays, only ELEVEN (11!) were passing downs situations, and seven of those came in the 2nd half of the game. In those eleven passing downs situations, they threw the ball 8 times with a 50% success rate and ran it three times with no successful plays (those three runs were all in the 4th quarter, by the way). That’s a 36% success rate which, yes, exceeds my 30% request. But it really never mattered because they were either, a.) keeping up with the chains or b.) just reeling off a series of 10+ yard gains.</p>
<p id="BJoJpV"><strong>Winner</strong>: Tennessee</p>
<h3 id="8VqNRb"><strong>BLITZ!</strong></h3>
<p id="8IzrVg">Martez Manuel had two tackles for loss and Kris Abrams-Draine broke up one pass. That’s it! 5% havoc rate woooooooooooooooooooo</p>
<p id="UjeUev"><strong>Winner</strong>: Tennessee</p>
<h2 id="nXS5B2"><strong>The Little Things</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>“The Little Things” Report Card</figcaption>
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<figcaption>Demerits</figcaption>
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<p id="cRHgBG">Outgained on a per play basis, fewer scoring opportunities, fewer points per opportunity, gave the ball away more. Hell, even our old friend “field position” was a total knock out in favor of the Volunteers.</p>
<p id="gPKOGs">But hey, your #1 Special Teams Unit in the country came through and beat the hell out of Tennessee’s special teams unit. **** yeah. Hang the banner.</p>
<h2 id="YxEy6Q"><strong>Extra Points</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="2d3NY1">I’ve been charting advanced stats for Missouri football games for about six years now. I’ve never seen a team - Mizzou or one of its opponents, ever have a success rate as high as Tennessee accomplished in the 1st quarter of Saturday’s game.</li></ul>
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<figcaption>HOW</figcaption>
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<ul><li id="adLaYF">Saturday’s game also marked the 2nd-consecutive game that the Missouri offense has been on the field in the 3rd quarter for less than 10 plays. I’m no football coach but I feel like that’s not the best way to win a game.</li></ul>
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<figcaption>Ope, Tiyon Evans just broke another 15+ yard gain</figcaption>
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<li id="33USVZ">I know it happened against our Tigers, but seriously, this is the most beautiful rushing box score you could ever imagine. 63% success rate rushing the ball. Volunteers rushers gained at least 4-yards on nearly 57% of their carries. If they got 4-yards they averaged 8.6 yards after that. And the Tennessee offensive line <em>averaged </em>3-yards of pushing the Missouri defensive line back and creating a lane to run through. A reminder— the most an offensive line can ever get credit for in the running game 4.5 yards. That’s beautiful. </li>
<li id="hEvXeq">On the opposite side, Missouri’s run game was less than stellar. Young, Harris, Smith, Downing, and Luper had 8 carries with middling results, but our boy Tyler Badie had no shot. 2 yards per carry is rough, but a 38% success rate is the 2nd worst behind his 33% success rate against BC. He only gained 4 yards on 38% of his carries, and while Tennessee’s offensive line was opening, getting three yards of push, Missouri’s offensive line was opening <em>0.8 yards of push </em>against Tennessee’s defensive line. Yikes.</li>
<li id="OP2Ffk">Given Tennessee’s starting field position on each of its 11 drives, Tennessee could have gone 706 yards on the day. The Volunteers amassed 683 yards, meaning Missouri’s defense successfully stopped them from moving a total of 23 yards. If made field goals count as yardage, Missouri successfully stopped the Volunteers from moving 1 total yard.</li>
<li id="yCMHBg">Let’s see, how else can I make you sad? Oh! Hendon Hooker had a 79% completion rate with an average of 11.2 yards per attempt! What? Come back, I’m not done yet!</li>
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<h2 id="vaqlGE"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p id="8IWiTY">Game sucked. Let’s hope the Tigers can outscore North Texas.</p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/beyond-the-box-score/2021/10/5/22708382/beyond-the-missouri-tigers-box-score-im-sadNate Edwards2021-10-05T07:30:00-05:002021-10-05T07:30:00-05:00The Revue: Time for an existential crisis?
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<p>The Revue ponders more on the concept of supporting the team when things are bad (because who wants to talk about that game any more?)</p> <p id="r4Nwk9">At some point during Tennessee’s curb-stomping of Missouri on Saturday, I believe I had something of a small brain bleed. </p>
<p id="quSA2s">This is evidenced by the fact that I decided to get on Twitter and write a series of five tweets (psychotic) all pertaining to the support (or lack thereof) Mizzou Football receives from its fans. I wouldn’t recommend doing this sort of thing to anyone, and if you or your loved ones exhibits such behavior, please seek help as it may be a sign that the Tweeter is genuinely unwell or may be Terminally Online.</p>
<p id="Bu37gv">Anyway, I have this space, so I figured I’d expound just slightly on the statements I made that one kind reader suggested were, “dog shit.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Re <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> and fan support: It’s 100% reasonable that fans don’t want to “support” a team that finishes ~.500 year in and year out. Even if I would choose to do so, I can’t really make a case for it other than, “I like supporting the alma mater and watching football.”<br><br>BUT…</p>— Josh Matejka (@joshmajika) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshmajika/status/1444351546255360003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="gmqqu9">It should be noted that the impetus for this irrational behavior was when someone on my feed suggested Eli Drinkwitz was the next Woody Widenhofer. So when I wrote, I was writing to that sort of person, the one who fires off wild takes like that without considering to put on the safety. Just bravely firing off those bullets into the wind and letting them sail off to god knows where. Hell, it inspired five tweets and a blog from me, so good on you, my man. You’re keeping that content mill a-churning!</p>
<p id="eMiPKL">Anyway, you can read the Tweets. I said what I said, and it was fairly clear. What I <em>did</em> want to address was one argument that came in response to my #taeks: that the fan support argument is a way to deflect criticism of the actual team and give agency to people who have none at all. </p>
<p id="t1CiqU">First, the question of fan agency in relation to the success of the football team. While I don’t believe that fans are directly responsible for the outcomes their teams produce, I think you’d be at least naive to consider that fans play a role in the performances of teams. Consider 2020, when fans were (generally) disallowed from games — <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/with-near-empty-stands-college-footballs-home-field-advantage-on-pace-to-be-worst-in-15-years/">the home field winning percentage dipped to one of its lowest rates in about 15 years</a> according to CBS Sports. Fans showing up and getting loud <a href="http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/control/home-field-advantage/">makes a difference.</a></p>
<p id="zfQark">Still this is less about Saturday than program-building as a whole. After all, Missouri was going to get boat raced no matter how many people showed up at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. As we’ve discussed on this site and on our podcasts many times, recruiting matters. The years of Gary Pinkel turning two-stars into NFLers gave us starry eyes, but the truth is that team success is driven by a combination of higher caliber talent and the coaching to make it realize its potential.</p>
<p id="dZwdss">There’s a reason teams like Arkansas can turn around their fortunes in less than 2 years and teams like Missouri can’t. Since the 2015 season, Arkansas has had one recruiting class rank outside the Top 30 — in 2018, when they ranked 45th. In that time, Arkansas went 26-46 and averaged — ready for this? — 63,951 fans per home game. That’s in the dying years of Bert Beliema and the woeful tenure of Chad Morris. Despite their on-field struggles, the Razorbacks averaged well over 60k in the stands and consistently reeled in classes to stack their depth with top 25 level talent. When recruits pick their school, they want a place where they’ll grow as a player, yes. But most kids that play football still want to have fun doing it. And knowing there will be 60 thousand people cheering you on win or lose is a whole lot more fun than seeing empty chunks of the stadium four games into the season.</p>
<p id="JPhKVh">To be honest, there are probably a few hundred more words that could be written here, but it’s probably a moot point. Mizzou fans won’t change their attitude toward supporting the home team — it’s part of the baked in culture of the Midwest. That’s nothing to be ashamed about (even though there will still be accusations of “fan-shaming.”) Again, if you don’t want to spend the money to attend football games when the team isn’t very good, that’s your decision and no one can blame you for making it.</p>
<p id="GD7CJf">But college football is a unique beast, one which requires talented high school athletes to choose your favorite school’s laundry in order to make your favorite school’s football team good. If you’ve even got a sliver of history and prestige to your program’s name (which Mizzou does), you’ve got an in with most of them. If you’ve got a fan base that shows up rain or shine, win or lose, you’ve got a realistic shot at landing a lot of them (especially the local kids.)</p>
<p id="4BLzQ5">For a myriad of reasons, Mizzou doesn’t seem to have the latter, at least not to the level of most other SEC programs. You don’t have to feel bad about it, because you shouldn’t feel bad about sports more than you already (likely) do. But we also shouldn’t pretend that Mizzou’s current level of support is conducive to the type of program Mizzou fans would like to see year-in-and-year-out. Maybe I’m wrong and Drinkwitz will continue recruiting at a high level and fortify a foundational support that appears to be sparse. </p>
<p id="HJfniV">I hope I am.</p>
<h1 id="lFJw2Z">The (Actual) Revue</h1>
<h3 id="7rCYBU"><em>The Happening</em></h3>
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<p id="lifI4J">☆☆☆☆☆</p>
<p id="duM83H">So like... how much effort do I actually need to put into The (Actual) Revue this week? I mean, I spent a solid hour on these Photoshops. And it feels weird to put more effort into this thing than than the defense did in stopping Tennessee. </p>
<p id="QEWXvi">Maybe we can just universally accept that there’s nothing redeeming about this game. This game is almost as bad as a clunky, poorly made metaphor for climate change! Every new drive had me saying:</p>
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<p id="eS16SS">And then every successive offensive drive had me saying:</p>
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<p id="YqBbln">It was, “What? Nos” all the way down, folx. Don’t watch this game because it stinks. Two thumbs down.</p>
<h1 id="6RDUA2">And the M-y Goes To...</h1>
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<p id="vrooXZ">You think anyone is getting M-y nominated for this? Like most major awards bodies, the Academy of M-y Arts and Sciences is quite literally a farce, but we do have some pride!</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/5/22709899/the-revue-time-for-an-existential-crisis-mizzou-tennessee-footballJosh Matejka2021-10-04T09:00:00-05:002021-10-04T09:00:00-05:00MV3: During a miserable day, at least these players did something exciting
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<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This week’s MV3 is full of flawed performances, but they allowed Missouri fans to take something good away from that disaster from Saturday.</p> <h1 id="mKaN0h">1. Kris Abrams-Draine</h1>
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<cite>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="HUy25W">It feels odd to have a defensive player topping the MV3 this week, but Abrams-Draine’s spot was sealed the moment he hit top speed on that return.</p>
<p id="jersp5">Long after the game was decided, Kris Abrams-Draine gave Mizzou fans something to cheer about, racing 100 yards for Mizzou’s first kickoff return touchdown since 2014. It was one of the lone bright spots in a miserable day, and KAD added in three tackles and a pass break up to boot. Not many return men would have still been swinging for the fences in the midst of an ass-whooping of that magnitude, so credit to where it’s due.</p>
<h1 id="wIZsU9">2. D’ionte Smith</h1>
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<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="BsJRRc">Like anyone who took the field for Mizzou, Boo Smith’s performance wasn’t pretty, but at least the former walk-on made some noise in his opportunities. Smith only totaled 4 yards on 2 catches, but broke open an explosive run for 32 yards and a score. Not a lot of good came from Saturday, but Smith getting his felt pretty satisfying.</p>
<h1 id="4qmWDv">3. Tyler Badie</h1>
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<cite>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="h0hBqE">It wasn’t exactly a banner day for Mizzou’s star feature back, but Badie still managed to find yards where the rest of the offense couldn’t. Badie totaled 68 all purpose yards, including 3 catches for 27, and scored a touchdown on the ground. His YPC wasn’t very good with only 41 yards in 21 attempts, but credit to him for lining up and taking the licks when nothing else seemed to be working. </p>
<p id="rFqzhU"><em>Others receiving votes: Harrison Mevis, Martez Manuel</em></p>
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<p id="eW3cno">How about y’all? Did you find anyone worthy of MV3 ballots this week? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments below!</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/4/22707999/mv3-these-players-did-something-exciting-mizzou-football-tennesseeJosh Matejka2021-10-04T07:30:00-05:002021-10-04T07:30:00-05:00Missouri Defense: Scheme and Execution
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<p>I took a look at Missouri’s defensive scheme and where they are having breakdowns in execution.</p> <p id="MAsfM2">The Missouri run defense is the worst one in college football, and if you’re as bad as they have been, accountability for that falls on everyone in that building. Players and coaches alike have to take their performance through five games <strong>personally</strong> as they, through this horrendous start, have squandered a lot of the goodwill that this program has generated. </p>
<p id="RObtxr">To start off, I don’t know if Steve Wilks is going to work out at Missouri. He’s known as professional coach and is making the transition to college, has only two years on his contract, and through five games, the results have sucked. Missouri’s defense has to be better prepared to play, and as the coach that falls on him and Coach Drinkwitz. Coaches have to be held accountable as well. </p>
<p id="S1ICOC">At the same time, coaches can’t play the game for the players. Players have to execute the scheme. </p>
<h1 id="WxUzO6">Scheme</h1>
<p id="7hKg8N">Missouri’s defense has a solid scheme that works for many other college programs in the SEC, and they’ve made adjustments to at least try compensate for Missouri’s lack of talent on the defensive line and at linebacker. They run a 4-2-5 base, but are flexible in their ability to change personnel in the game based on situations. That’s why you may see different amounts of linebackers and defensive backs at a given time. All of that is very normal for college football.</p>
<p id="FNJirZ">The gap scheme, and gap integrity in general, is a basic level of defensive football. If you can’t win your gap and handle your responsibility, it’s hard to get stops. That’s what’s actually beautiful about defenses when they’re fully in-sync. If you can get 11 guys flowing to their responsibilities and simply doing their jobs, it’s fun to see the offense realize they have nowhere to go. So far, we haven't seen the Mizzou defense do this on a consistent enough basis. </p>
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<h1 id="vXbD7R">Let’s Talk About Execution</h1>
<p id="bz4jD6">What do you do as a coach when your scheme puts your players in a position to make a play.... and then they just don’t?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Plays like this are why I don’t buy into the complaints about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a>’s defensive scheme. This is about players doing the little things, and making plays. <a href="https://t.co/huVCA5zgvc">pic.twitter.com/huVCA5zgvc</a></p>— Aaron D. (@iAirDry) <a href="https://twitter.com/iAirDry/status/1444458946429861889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2021</a>
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<p id="D0EuNe">If you watch closely, Tennessee pulled a lineman and the linebacker takes a poor angle into the blocker instead of a wrong arm to the inside. Since the right side of the DL is getting blocked down, that opens up a natural gap right there. There’s one chance of making the tackle for an average gain, but the safety screams down into the box at a poor angle, misses the tackle and it’s six. </p>
<p id="l6T7Ix">In my opinion, this was the absolute worst play of the day: </p>
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<p id="IZnCar">It’s 3rd and 12, you just got a sack on second down and are trying to get Tennessee off the field and maybe try and make this a game. They throw their quick screen, and from there the wheels fall off the wagon. I see #3 at the bottom of the screen getting driven eight yards off the line, a missed tackle due to a poor angle from #29, #0 with a brutal whiff and then finally...</p>
<p id="nBCvZi">What my father would describe as a “piss poor effort” from #2. That is unacceptable. I’m not one to try and single people out, but there is no way that can go unaddressed. It’s frustrating from a fan, teammate, or coach’s perspective to see someone quit on a play that could have been made. </p>
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<h2 id="m9RlQc"><em>Let’s keep moving...</em></h2>
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<p id="6zxWgx">These are the two starting linebackers, the best ones on the roster and both have played far too much football to be this undisciplined with their eyes. I understand seeing a pulling guard, and following it, but at the same time, someone has to have the QB contained. Instead, we have two linebackers moving rather slowly into the same gap. </p>
<p id="5R4nQ5">Once the defensive end closes down (actually a good job), there has to be a linebacker on that edge. When he sees #25 bite down, it’s an easy keep for the QB. </p>
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<p id="hWUkjh">These are just a few examples of far too many that show a complete lack of execution. It’s simply an unacceptable product in all phases. The Tigers aren’t executing basic actions of football at this point, and given the overall talent level, it’s hard to find a fix for that. </p>
<h1 id="LmTggz"></h1>
<h1 id="HB9qpN">Where do we go from here?</h1>
<p id="7neaKq">It’s oh so bad. It’s really bad right now. </p>
<p id="X9zJFE">It’s actually so bad, that Coach Drinkwitz decided to make a change with the staff on Sunday afternoon. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Missouri defensive line coach Jethro Franklin has been fired, a source confirmed to the Columbia Missourian Sunday. <br><br>A spokesperson from MU has not yet responded to a request for comment. <a href="https://twitter.com/CoMoSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoMoSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/cbxIk8BgiP">https://t.co/cbxIk8BgiP</a></p>— Emily Leiker (@emleiker) <a href="https://twitter.com/emleiker/status/1444719029793472521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2021</a>
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<p id="3hSQrA">After a loss like the one against Tennessee, I’m not surprised that someone lost their job. The on-field product was that bad. I can’t speak to what that locker room needs from their defensive line coach, and maybe they just needed a fresh voice in that room, but I just have a hard time believing that this is going to make a meaningful change to the on-field product. The guys who play aren’t changing, and it’s ultimately going to have to be on them to find a way to right the ship. </p>
<p id="TvjWzv">There has to be a renewed commitment to the executing the fundamentals and to doing those little things on defense that help you win games. It sounds cliché or a bit corny, but this defense needs to focus on the game from a play to play basis. Worry about <em><strong>this </strong></em>play. Execute your assignment on <em><strong>this </strong></em>play. This film is going to force this Missouri Tiger football team to have some uncomfortable talks, and they’re going to have to speak some uncomfortable truths as a team to figure this out. </p>
<p id="QsiCTh">Let me leave you with this, though:</p>
<div id="VaYgpT">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mizzou</a> lost to KY by one score, in Lexington, just like Florida. <br><br>I try never to be reactionary because you are never as good, or bad as you think you are at the extremes. Things can change from week to week in the SEC. <a href="https://t.co/yqQVKL4Bmb">https://t.co/yqQVKL4Bmb</a></p>— Aaron D. (@iAirDry) <a href="https://twitter.com/iAirDry/status/1444475171616825347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2021</a>
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<p id="nmZ9HB">I know that this has been rough start to the season, and I get that as a fan it’s frustrating to see your team get gashed continually. However, you are never as good or as bad as you think you are in the SEC. Things change and can change very quickly on a week to week basis in this conference. </p>
<p id="Vfv11h">So while it may seem like this program is down in the dumps and destined for a 3-9 season, just remember there’s a lot of season left and college kids are fickle. </p>
<p id="bASiHK"></p>
<p id="qc8h0u"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/iAirDry"><em><strong>Follow me on Twitter @iAirDry!</strong></em></a></p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/4/22707111/mizzou-football-defensive-scheme-execution-failure-missouri-secAaron Dryden2021-10-03T13:01:21-05:002021-10-03T13:01:21-05:00Amidst a more than rocky start, Missouri special teams has excelled
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 04 Central Michigan at Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ArH5ZB3JeQ0FPFpiYnC70x0uMIo=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69945162/1235086233.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>There’s a silver lining for this team</p> <p id="hBg5yl">Whether you want to accept it or not Mizzou fans, the Tigers sit at 2-3 and 0-2 in conference play heading into homecoming week. North Texas is an expected win (although I hesitate to even say that), but after that a gauntlet of SEC games ensues, including Georgia, Texas A&M, Florida, and Arkansas, all of which are ranked teams.</p>
<p id="y9YiG4">The mood surrounding this team is that of disappointment and frustration right now, as the defense can not seem to stop a toddler running through the line and the offense keeps shooting themselves in the foot.</p>
<p id="cIfRAG">However, on this dreary weekend, let us try to focus on some positives. And with the special teams, there are plenty of them.</p>
<p id="VJ9tzh">Both Harrison Mevis and Grant McKinniss were named to preseason watch lists for their positions, the Lou Groza Award (kickers) and the Ray Guy Award (punters). They have shown why in every game this season.</p>
<p id="aKpb5X">We all saw Mevis’ 56-yard bomb of a kick that coldly tied the score as time expired against Boston College just last week. Mevis is 6/6 (5 of which were from beyond 40 yards) on field goals and 23/23 on extra points, all the while exuding immense confidence. The sophomore has only missed three kicks in his short career and firmly believes he can make a kick from any spot on the field. </p>
<p id="926AeU">Mevis has a legitimate claim to be labeled as the best kicker in the country, and Mizzou is fortunate to have a guy that they can put out there and have little worry about him missing from anywhere.</p>
<p id="ABi1Kb">But wait, there’s more. Grant McKinniss transferred from Kentucky to Mizzou in 2020, and he has made an instant impact. He averaged 43 yards per punt that season, and is currently on pace to eclipse that number in 2021. He has also has had four punts go for over 50 yards thus far.</p>
<p id="Jz6s1b">However, what the super senior has excelled at this season has been placement. McKinniss has pinned the opposing offense inside their own 20-yard line 13 times this year, consistently allowing Mizzou to win the field position battle and putting the opposing offense at a disadvantage.</p>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Vanderbilt at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YS63Y7UZ1Nj79LAjoGzK278Yf2Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22897825/usa_today_15269520.jpg">
<cite>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="fzcEv8">You would be hard-pressed to find a kicking tandem that can compare to the Mevis and McKinniss show.</p>
<p id="EOfB0W">On top of that, Sean Koetting has gone 30/33 on touchbacks this season, not allowing any explosive returns.</p>
<p id="nVwB8x">If the return game begins to take off, then the Tigers will have a great claim to have the premiere special teams unit in the nation. Di’onte Smith has struggled in punt return, but Kris Abrams-Draine has quietly emerged as a dangerous kick return man. He has 291 return yards this season on a 26.45 average. His 100-yard touchdown return against Tennessee on Saturday was electric and may be a sign of things to come.</p>
<p id="Blz4vd">So, while there is plenty of reason for people to be upset with this team, you have to remember some of the positives. The Tigers lay claim to some of the best special teams players in the nation, although some fans may be willing to trade them for some elite defensive linemen/linebackers.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/3/22707325/amidst-a-more-than-rocky-start-missouri-special-teams-has-excelledParker Gillam2021-10-03T05:00:00-05:002021-10-03T05:00:00-05:00Pourover: Mizzou’s lack of talent still shouldn’t be performing this poorly
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<img alt="Tennessee v Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GkzesgvGGB1nY2HxL9bboI9wE60=/0x25:3990x2685/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69943650/1344466637.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We’ve made excuses for the talent level so far, but the reality is they should still be better. </p> <p id="rN5Y6S">The excitement of the offseason got to a lot of us. I read comments talking about being worried a bigger program would come calling for Mizzou’s head coach, semi-joking (I hope) comments about building statues, even <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/eli-drinkwitz-did-not-top-mizzous-list-but-he-may-just-be-the-perfect-fit-for-the-tigers/">glowing profiles in national publications</a>. The offseason hype machine around Eli Drinkwitz was a real one for more than just Mizzou fans.</p>
<p id="VjC8DY">And mostly for a good reason. The recruiting was something we hadn’t really seen. He was landing more elite 4-star players than both Odom and Pinkel had, and he was landing some of those players from out of state. His 10-1 season at Appalachian State carried over to a 5-5 record with an undermanned team in a COVID year against an All SEC schedule last season. </p>
<p id="rWCbNu">But the reality of the situation was bound to catch up at some point, and the loose laces keeping the season together seemed to split yesterday. Tennessee, a completely mediocre SEC team, boat raced Mizzou in one of the worst home losses in the history of Memorial Stadium. The Volunteers, a team whose SP+ rank is two spots ahead of Boston College, treated Missouri’s defense like an FCS club. </p>
<p id="D5NXcP">It was 28-3 after the first quarter, and 45-10 at halftime. Against SEMO, Missouri had smaller leads at those junctures in the game than what Tennessee had over Mizzou. Just let that simmer for a minute.</p>
<p id="SKlEzk">I’m on board with the idea that the talent level along Mizzou’s Defensive Line and Linebacking groups needs to improve significantly if Drinkwitz and the Mizzou fans want this program to be special. The players they have aren’t good enough to be special, but they are good enough to be adequate. They’re good enough to be competitive. Right now they’re not competitive on defense, so much so that the secondary, which should be a strength, looks demoralized for having to make so many tackles down the field. </p>
<h3 id="zKPVsp">So something has to change. </h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 02 Tennessee at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aBUQs-kG8ZsBvfIGpYldC4rI1pg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22897020/1235653736.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="24FWbE">It’s one thing to be merely bad and under talented along the defensive line, it’s a whole other thing to get gashed like yesterday, and be non-competitive. If you took the two teams jerseys off, and you put an FCS logo on Mizzou’s helmet the outcome would make sense. And that is concerning. Because again, while the talent level isn’t great, it’s also not this bad. </p>
<p id="pMgNQH">So who gets the blame? </p>
<p id="9nIrkw">Everyone really, but at this point how bad they’ve been should reflect directly on the coaching staff. For whatever reason the talent they do have isn’t performing, at all. Angles are bad, gaps are open, blocks aren’t shed. Trajan Jeffcoat was a preseason All SEC pick, has 9 tackles on the season, and a sack, after four games. Two transfer cornerbacks heralded as potential NFL draft picks came in as non-starters, and have been too busy chasing down runners 8-10 yards down the field to flash NFL potential. </p>
<p id="cnANoy">Ultimately the eyes are going to turn to new Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks. Football is mostly the same at every level with the addition of talent as you move up. But Wilks message has failed to resonate with the players he’s tasked with leading. If it were resonating, they’d be getting <em>some</em> stops. And whether that message, the scheme, or the game plan is falling flat, it’s on Wilks, and ultimately Drinkwitz, to get it all figured out. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drinkwitz asked by <a href="https://twitter.com/Ben_Fred?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ben_Fred</a> if he has to make a change at defensive coordinator: "I just stepped off the football field. I haven’t considered anything like that."</p>— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dave_Matter/status/1444387702120529924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="MfXtCz">I’m sure Steve Wilks knows more about defensive football than I could ever hope to. He’s been an effective coach at the pro level for years. I’m in no way questioning his knowledge. But it’s currently not working. Drink and Wilks need to get on the same page, and they need to make sure the players are on the same page. And the product needs to get a whole lot better. </p>
<p id="8nrt7m">I’ll never be the guy calling for a coach to be fired, after all I still catch flack for thinking MIzzou was probably wrong to fire Barry Odom. So in no way am I saying Drinkwitz should fire Wilks, or even move Wilks into a different role. Drink is the guy in charge so he gets to make the call, and Wilks has earned being the Defensive Coordinator over the course of his career. But if he isn’t able to adapt and change the approach to find a way to just make it... better, then I’m not sure where that leads him or this program for the rest of this year. But the schedule doesn’t get any easier in the second half. It’s been nearly half the season so far and it’s only gotten worse. Time for things to start getting better. </p>
<p id="SbSEOR">Stats from StatBroadcast:</p>
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<img alt="statbroadcast tennessee 2021" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/09zAfAQcvs_tGYrp-bXo9LWsa0U=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22896702/UT1.png">
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<img alt="statbroadcast tennessee 2021" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iiHvG9DXomkeV2mWWm2sbGUcK8M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22896706/UT2.png">
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<h3 id="XA9uad">Here are your other SEC scores:</h3>
<ul>
<li id="ByOO3n">1. Alabama 42, 12. Ole Miss 21</li>
<li id="eIoNak">2. Georgia 37, 8. Arkansas 0</li>
<li id="TEyLcI">Kentucky 20, 10. Florida 13</li>
<li id="xqZueG">Mississippi State 26, 15. Texas A&M 22</li>
<li id="PA2LYT">South Carolina 23, Troy 14</li>
<li id="f62Vww">22. Auburn 24, LSU 19</li>
<li id="VCKPYE">Vanderbilt 30, UConn 28</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="QvdtMQ">Yesterday at Rock M</h1>
<ul>
<li id="bHZbQm"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/2/22704481/missouri-vs-tennessee-football-gameday-info-where-to-watch-predictions">Missouri vs Tennessee football GameDay: info, where to watch, predictions</a></li>
<li id="WdJQVa"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/2/22705294/bottoms-up-the-hype-man-edition">Bottoms Up! The Hype Man Edition</a></li>
<li id="pilVTf"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/2/22705698/gamethread-mizzou-vs-tennessee">Gamethread: Mizzou vs Tennessee</a></li>
<li id="hRvWbR"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/2/22705960/five-takeaways-from-mizzous-62-24-loss-vs-tennessee">Five Takeaways from Mizzou’s 62-24 loss vs. Tennessee</a></li>
<li id="jNj0do"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/2/22705770/tennessee-walks-into-columbia-runs-all-over-tigers">Tennessee Walks into Columbia, Runs all over Tigers</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 id="2ZYQdI">GameDay Links:</h1>
<ul>
<li id="RR89RJ"><a href="https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/orange-crushed-vols-wallop-mizzou-from-the-start/article_a93d733e-353a-5cc3-ba80-5e76f7a827e2.html">Dave Matter’s game story</a></li>
<li id="FdMAsm"><a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article254712362.html">Lila Bromberg’s game story</a></li>
<li id="xF1GGI">Columbia Missourian <a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/sports/mizzou_football/scorched-on-d-missouri-gives-up-45-points-in-first-half-of-loss-to-tennessee/article_18ffe372-2399-11ec-a4de-ef5d15ce6101.html">Emily Leiker’s game story</a>
</li>
<li id="hyHEcW">Trib’s Eric Blum <a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/college/tiger-extra/2021/10/02/missouri-football-vs-tennessee-mizzou-vols-instant-analysis-sec-conference/5895347001/">wraps up the day</a>
</li>
<li id="Ps3snJ">If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: <a href="https://espn.zlbu.net/c/482924/535101/9070?sharedid=RockMNation">click Here for ESPN+ Now!</a>
</li>
</ul>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/3/22706217/mizzou-football-defense-tennessee-reaction-analysis-pourover-wilks-drinkwitzSam Snelling2021-10-02T16:15:42-05:002021-10-02T16:15:42-05:00Tennessee Walks into Columbia, Runs all over Tigers
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<img alt="Tennessee v Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DzQ5RngIjgKyFjXpwD5lQMs9ZgU=/0x0:6637x4425/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69942404/1344467021.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Volunteers potent up-tempo offensive attack proved too much for Missouri as the Tigers fell 62-24</p> <p id="OZxT0U">It was a bad day to be the <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com">Missouri Tigers</a> on Saturday. </p>
<p id="TySlTk">After a couple of early-season letdowns, Missouri fans were hoping that this weekend against Tennessee would be the game where their Tigers finally got right. Unfortunately for the Tiger faithful, things went from bad to worse. </p>
<p id="jnTh2O">The Volunteers didn’t just walk into Faurot Field and dominate the Tigers. They ran in, and never stopped. Tennessee finished with 452 rushing yards and 677 yards of total offense and were ready from the first snap; the same could not be said for the Tigers.</p>
<p id="H28TXA">The Volunteers jumped right on the Tigers from the get-go. After winning the coin toss, they deferred and Mizzou’s offense took the field, but a sack aided the Volunteers in forcing a three and out.</p>
<p id="EwbP5x">When the Volunteers got the ball back, it took all of 1:15 for QB Hendon Hooker to find WR Javonta Payton in the endzone and put them up 7-0 early.</p>
<p id="YkzIbo">In need of a response, the Missouri offense came out firing, but couldn’t be stopped from beating themselves. Good passing was nullified by three holding penalties, and the Tigers settled for a 43-yard field goal from Harrison Mevis. </p>
<p id="Wd7Eph">After the game, Connor Bazelak said, when asked about the holding calls stalling the Tiger offense, “You just got to overcome the adversity, you have to play the game to the point that refs don’t matter.”</p>
<p id="6IFDzR">Tennessee responded almost immediately by finding the end zone again. This time it was an 8-yard Tiyon Evans run that capped a 75-yard drive as the Tiger defense had no answers for the Vols tempo early. </p>
<p id="AE9YUg">Needing another response, the Tigers didn’t answer this time. One first down courtesy of Tyler Badie was all they could muster. However, Grant McKinniss was able to pin the Volunteers on their own 8-yard line. </p>
<p id="6AGpiQ">Despite McKinniss’ fantastic punt, on the very first Volunteer play of the next series Evans found a hole in the Tiger defense and took it 92-yards to the endzone. Evans would finish with 156 yards on 15 carries with 3 TD after being quoted earlier in the week saying, “We’re going to have some fun,” in reference to facing the Missouri defense. This score, his second touchdown of the day, made it 21-3 in favor of Tennessee, and the bleeding was far from over. </p>
<p id="F1veWO">A Connor Bazelak interception that was returned to the Missouri 1-yard line was the result of the next Tiger drive, and one play later, Tennessee punched it in to make it 28-3 before the first quarter was even over.<strong> </strong>After the game, Mizzou Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz pinpointed the interception as a turning point in the game.</p>
<p id="xAseaN">“I think the biggest issue was the interception put us in a really bad spot,” Drinkwitz said. “At that point it’s an uphill battle and kind of changes the way you’re trying to attack everything.”</p>
<p id="xeJVbe">In need of any sort of momentum, the Tigers turned to RB Tyler Badie and he delivered. Finding holes that hadn’t been there earlier in the game, a heavy dose of Badie eventually ended in a 6-yard rushing touchdwon by the senior running back that cut the Volunteer lead to 28-10.</p>
<p id="uW7zwr">But just like earlier in this game, for every punch Missouri threw, Tennessee had three more coming back. </p>
<p id="7MybLJ">A 5-play, 73-yard touchdown drive followed by a 10-play, 86-yard touchdown drive was how Tennessee erased Missouri’s counterpunch and all but buried the Tigers in their coffin with a 42-10 lead. The Volunteers added another field goal before half to make it 45-10, and a halftime exodus of Mizzou fans from Faurot Field followed.</p>
<p id="AmQVhz">With the Tigers just looking to turn the page in the second half and reset, they saw some improvement early on. The defense forced a Tennessee field goal, and on the ensuing kickoff, CB Kris Abrams Draine took the ball from one goal-line to the other with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. After the game, Abrams-Draine deflected all the credit to his teammates, “It was really everyone else but me, everyone doing their job,” said the sophomore.</p>
<p id="EYnPUB">However, that positive burst from the Tigers was quickly put out by the Volunteers as they marched right down the field again. This time Hooker found WR Cedric Tillman on 3rd and 18 for a 27-yard touchdown.</p>
<p id="4niLT9">To make matters worse, Connor Bazelak was intercepted on the drive that followed up the Volunteers’ score, but for the first time all game, the Missouri defense was able to hold the potent Volunteer offense with a somewhat controversial goal-line stand. </p>
<p id="BWLamo">To provide some minor consolation to an otherwise deflating day, the Mizzou offense followed up the goal-line stand by going 99 yards on 10 plays finishing with a 4-yard rush by WR Boo Smith. </p>
<p id="pgWet0">In his postgame press conference, Drinkwitz pointed to this sequence as a sign of his team’s effort. “You could easily just give them the end zone, we didn’t do that. Our offense went 99 yards and scored so they were still fighting. We weren’t executing, but we were still fighting.”</p>
<p id="DV6Duq">Before the end of the game, Tennessee added one more touchdown, and the final score read 62-24 in favor of the Volunteers making this the largest defeat of the Drinkwitz era.</p>
<p id="TjrD0k">As for his message to the team after a loss like this, Drinkwitz said, “You’ve got one or two options. Either circle up as teammates and coaches, fight for each other, and fight your way out of this or you point fingers.” </p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/2/22705770/tennessee-walks-into-columbia-runs-all-over-tigersKortay Vincent2021-10-02T14:33:45-05:002021-10-02T14:33:45-05:00Five Takeaways from Mizzou’s 62-24 loss vs. Tennessee
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Tennessee at Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EwVIE30FbkJFDxUGDOOnFcL_Sik=/0x0:7052x4701/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69942140/usa_today_16875213.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Narrator: It was bad.</p> <p id="xaYvYw">The emotional roller coaster of being a college football fan is part of what makes it so rewarding to watch your team when it’s at the top. If you were a Missouri fan during the 2007-2013 era, you know what I’m talking about. That was your Shawshank Redemption moment. You crawled through all of the crap and came out clean on the other side.</p>
<p id="Qvylcf">We’re back to crawling again.</p>
<p id="pcHLvi">Missouri is in a full-blown rebuild. There were times last season in which it didn’t feel that way. The defense still had three NFL players in Nick Bolton, Tyree Gillespie and Joshuah Bledsoe. Those guys are gone, and the replacements aren’t up to par.</p>
<p id="26dJDq">What we’re witnessing right now is the result of years of the former coaching staff recruiting below its standards. There is no quick-fix. If Missouri’s performance against Tennessee was any indication, it’s likely going to get worse before it gets better.</p>
<p id="jLSadd">Enough of the big picture talk. Let’s dive into the takeaways from the loss against Tennessee. Oh boy, here we go.</p>
<h2 id="X1UPmO"><strong>1) Missouri’s defense is somehow even worse than we thought</strong></h2>
<p id="j3hr0A">That game was over by halftime, so let’s start by breaking down what Missouri accomplished (or didn’t accomplish) in the first half.</p>
<p id="fJdln5">Tennessee’s first six offensive possessions each resulted in a touchdown. The Vols’ first third down attempt resulted in fifth touchdown on the day. Their 275 first half rushing yards matched Boston College’s rushing <em>total</em> from the week prior. Tennessee averaged 10.6 yards <em>per carry</em> in the first half. Tennessee’s 45 first half points were the Vols’ most in any half in more than 20 years.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">And one more. 39 can’t keep his edge, 11 takes on lead blocker so, 25 should fill the gap, 1 should be running the alley. <br><br>It’s breakdowns on every level. <a href="https://t.co/gyF8dwJq0z">pic.twitter.com/gyF8dwJq0z</a></p>— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKSportsTalk/status/1444341092388794374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="0HHcMe">However bad you thought that defensive performance would be, it was somehow worse. Let’s take a look at some of the defensive superlatives, shall we?</p>
<p id="bfgu7t">The last time Missouri allowed at least 60 points at home was October 8th, 1932. The last time Missouri allowed at least 400 rushing yards at home was September 29, 2001. Saturday was the first home game in at least the last 20 years in which Missouri has failed to force a punt, according to Sports Reference.</p>
<p id="IY3uis">This was, statistically, one of Missouri’s worst defensive performances at home in program history.</p>
<h2 id="4TNFP5"><strong>2) Well, we saw a defensive adjustment. It... didn’t work.</strong></h2>
<p id="OqqrY9">The worst part about Missouri’s defense is I don’t know how to fix it. And it’s becoming clear Steve Wilks doesn’t, either. Missouri lacks talent on the defensive side of the ball. It also seems to lack much of a plan.</p>
<p id="TwAxQb">The Tigers’ base defense is a 4-2-5. Well, it was. Until the second drive of the game against Tennessee. Suddenly Missouri’s defense was lining up in a 3-3-5 with a defensive lineman playing middle linebacker. First it was Jatorian Hansford in those reps, and eventually Mekhi Wingo got some opportunities at linebacker, too.</p>
<p id="oPvTRG">But they weren’t <em>really</em> playing linebacker. They were essentially lining up two yards off the line of scrimmage and screaming into the line right after the snap. In other words, all it did was give the defensive lineman a running start at the offensive line. It never gave the Tennessee any trouble. The results were every bit as bad as Missouri’s base 4-2-5.</p>
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<p lang="tl" dir="ltr">TIYON EVANS FOR 92 YARDS ⚡️ <a href="https://t.co/RpZh5ZMC5y">pic.twitter.com/RpZh5ZMC5y</a></p>— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/1444344132810518548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="d60qm2">Eventually the Tigers went back to the 4-2-5. The in-game adjustment didn’t work. That’s fine. But what I don’t understand is why <em><strong>that</strong></em> was the adjustment. Linking up a defensive lineman at linebacker is a gimmick. The Tigers’ issue right now is stopping the run, but they seem completely disinterested in adding more bodies to the box. There were a few plays late in the first half in which Martez Manuel lined up in the box. It’s anecdotal, of course, but the results seemed to be better. If you can’t stop the run with six in the box, eventually you have to pull in a seventh. If you can’t stop it with seven, then eventually you have to bring in an eighth.</p>
<p id="m3GGmy">That’s going to leave the corners one-on-one. It might result in more man-to-man assignments for safeties against tight ends and slot receivers. So be it. Teams are moving the ball at will on the ground. You have to earn the right to stop the pass. And Missouri isn’t doing that right now. </p>
<h2 id="qUYw9q"><strong>3) I don’t know how anyone can be certain Steve Wilks is the answer at defensive coordinator</strong></h2>
<p id="EO5lac">And they’re fair. I’m the last one to call for a job. I’m not going to do so now. But asking if Wilks is up for this job is a fair question to ask, at this point.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's a valid question. Defense is getting worse. Talent and depth are not close to SEC standard but nothing is working. <a href="https://t.co/TEy4OIguaK">https://t.co/TEy4OIguaK</a></p>— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dave_Matter/status/1444360606543323138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="oFz4n2">Missouri’s main issue defensively is a lack of talent, both on the defensive line and at linebacker. The secondary isn’t great, but it’s talented enough to get by in an SEC schedule. The same can’t be said of the front six/seven.</p>
<p id="CeafS6">But the talent gap shouldn’t be <em>this</em> wide. Missouri doesn’t just look bad against the run. It looks incompetent. It’s so bad that Gene Chizik was losing his mind during the SEC Network halftime show in regards to the Tigers’ lack of run fits.</p>
<p id="yToMcb">Far too often it looks like the linebackers don’t know where they’re supposed to go. There were too many plays in which the defensive line and linebackers were looking to the sideline at or near the snap of the football because they didn’t have or know the defensive play-call as the Vols rushed back to the line of scrimmage. The Vols’ up-tempo offense gave this defense fits from start to finish.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don't think the talent is this bad. It's not great but not this inept. <a href="https://t.co/uvOajnrYUB">https://t.co/uvOajnrYUB</a></p>— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dave_Matter/status/1444361825584238592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="2rjN9y">I don’t know if this defense would be better with a different defensive scheme and a different defensive coordinator. But it’s hard to imagine it would be worse. </p>
<p id="AyQWkl">I hope Wilks is able to get this turned around. But I think it’s fair to ask at this point if he’ll get that opportunity. </p>
<h2 id="5XMSG8"><strong>4) Connor Bazelak is having a very tough time with pressure</strong></h2>
<p id="sS72wC">One of the biggest “wins” for Missouri’s offense this year has been its ability to limit pressure against Bazelak. Some of that is a result of the quick passing game Drinkwitz likes to run. Some of it is a result of the offensive line winning up front.</p>
<p id="9otwrt">Unfortunately, much of Bazelak’s time on Saturday was spent under pressure. He didn’t adjust particularly well.</p>
<p id="hLxcww">Bazelak, like many quarterbacks, prefers to play with timing and rhythm. When he’s pressured, it throws everything off. There were far too many moments against Tennessee when he had an opportunity to make a play but he sped things up and made an errant throw as a result. It was tough to watch. Bazelak has been solid for much of this season. He had a couple bad throws against Boston College, but his performance from start to finish against Tennessee was his worst of the season.</p>
<h2 id="aL0CJD"><strong>5) The goals for this season have officially shifted</strong></h2>
<p id="059MmX">Coming into this season, I thought 7-5 was possible. I still believe it was, given the results. But a 7-5 season would have required victories against Kentucky, Boston College and Tennessee. The Tigers are now 0-3 in those three games.</p>
<p id="hkb5jK">It’s time to adjust our expectations.</p>
<p id="PKZDfV">Mizzou’s remaining opponents are: North Texas, #15 <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a>, @ Vanderbilt, @ #2 Georgia, South Carolina, #10 Florida & at #8 Arkansas.</p>
<p id="ASx3bk">That’s four games against top-15 ranked opponents, two games against opponents Missouri should beat and one game that will serve as the final “swing game” on the schedule, against the team from the other Columbia.</p>
<p id="DTLAdb">Even if Missouri wins both of its expected wins <em>and</em> the swing game against South Carolina, that’s only a 5-win season. That seems like the ceiling for this team. This team’s margin for error was slim entering the season and it eliminated all margin for error when it went 0-3 in its first three pivotal games of the season.</p>
<p id="8FdeLX">The losses at Boston College and Kentucky were frustrating. The loss against Tennessee is disheartening.</p>
<p id="bHKZ9H">At least the games against Boston College and Kentucky were on the road. At least both were one-score losses. This was at home against a team we all assumed was at a similar point in its rebuilding process as Missouri and it resulted in an absolute shellacking. </p>
<p id="aikW7R">I typically try to finish off my five takeaways with something positive. I wish I had something for you today, but I don’t. This is likely to get worse before it gets better. </p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/YDihXKeoxM">pic.twitter.com/YDihXKeoxM</a></p>— Will Boling (@will_boling) <a href="https://twitter.com/will_boling/status/1444372037900718082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2021</a>
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<p id="HTGswK">At least they play North Texas next week?</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/10/2/22705960/five-takeaways-from-mizzous-62-24-loss-vs-tennesseeBrandon Kiley