Al Agnew Posted September 20, 2015 Posted September 20, 2015 I saw one thing to be encouraged about in this win...the o-line did better at pass protection. Mauk had plenty of time to throw a lot of plays, just couldn't find open receivers (and they were open sometimes). Run blocking in the interior was still terrible, though. I think next week will tell the tale. First SEC game, road game, one they have to win. Hansbrough may be back. The playbook might expand. If they can't beat Kentucky, it's going to be a long season. If they can't score 20 or more points against Kentucky, they're in trouble. The defense is very good, but they aren't going to hold any SEC team to one touchdown.
Quillback Posted September 20, 2015 Posted September 20, 2015 At least Mizzou is winning the games that it should win. Arkansas has finished the cupcake part of the schedule at 1-2. Now they get to go to Jerry World to play A&M and then on the road to Tennessee and Alabama.
ozark trout fisher Posted September 20, 2015 Posted September 20, 2015 Goodness, I just now noticed that Arkansas/Texas Tech result. I have no clue what is going on in Fayetteville. They have the talent to win 8-10 games this year, in an SEC west, that while top heavy, has several weak spots. I even thought that last week was just a blip, much like Mizzou/Indiana in 2014. But teams that go 2-2 in non-conference play (assuming a win over UT-Martin) almost never make bowl games out of the SEC. If there is a team that can do that it's probably Arkansas....but they will have to get way better. And any rally they might have in them almost certainly starts with a win over A&M next week. Mizzou, meanwhile, heads into a long stretch of matchups that are anywhere from slightly favorable to extremely unfavorable. At this point you'd say we'd have slight edges over South Carolina and Vanderbilt, but I expect both to be close games that could go either way. And at this point it's extremely difficult to project wins over Kentucky, Florida, or (most obviously) Georgia. All three teams look a whole lot better than Mizzou at this juncture. I see a good path to 5 wins for Mizzou at this point (the three they already have, plus South Carolina and Vandy) but the 6th for bowl eligibility could be a real challenge. Might come down to that game against Arkansas-for both teams. And if we drop one of the two remaining "should win" games...yeah, that's going to be trouble.
Quillback Posted September 21, 2015 Posted September 21, 2015 Yeah that game between MO and AR could be the "Who gets to go to a bowl" bowl. But, I think MO will probably play well enough to not need that game to qualify. Hogs could easily lose the next 3 games and be 1 - 5. And the schedule doesn't get much easier with Auburn, Ole Miss, LSU, and MO for the last 4 SEC games. Probably about as tough an SEC schedule as there is.
stlfisher Posted September 21, 2015 Author Posted September 21, 2015 Last year and especially this year are probably the best defenses that we have ever had. Next year could be even better. It just seems like such a waste to me. With any kind of offense we could actually make a real run IMO. As it is our defense will get gassed against good SEC teams. I am hopeful the running game will pick up speed at some point and the OL will get it together (Ricker needs to stop tinkering and put the players in the positions they were in last year), but so far we can't score on anyone. I just have no confidence that Mauk can do anything. I get that Lock is young, but next year could be something special with our returning defense. You have to give Lock the reigns at some point this year to get him ready. I think everyone would be fine with suffering through the growing pains with Lock at QB. I am just tired of watching the Maty Mauk circus show. Give me a kid with talent. If Mauk doesn't like it let him transfer. I have to wonder what the players think...I can't believe they think Mauk is any good.
joeD Posted September 22, 2015 Posted September 22, 2015 All good points. However, this is where I disagree and say ya'll are missing something. The key to Mizzou's season is Hansbrough running the ball and staying healthy. Without him being effective, it doesn't matter who our receivers are. Or our defense. Because they will be on the field A LOT if Hansbrough and the O line struggle. Still, should be fun. Unlike the Rams. Yes, I am quoting myself. Still true though. I went to that excuse of game Saturday. Mizzou is in trouble. Coach Pinkel can't create playmakers. Though I did see Michael Sam walking up the sidewalk next to our "tent." He made plays. stlfisher 1
BATCAB27 Posted September 22, 2015 Posted September 22, 2015 The fans that boo'd Mauk this weekend should have their season tickets revoked. I mean he only took us to the SEC championship game last year. I'm not saying it's been pretty so far this year, but we are 3-0. The most popular guy in town is always the backup QB. Mauk is not only our best QB, right now he's also our best running back. The guy has worked his tail off for the program and these jacknuts in the stands want to boo him? I 'd want to transfer too. And there would be many SEC teams lining up for his services. I haven't seen much of Lock, but the one drive I watched him in the last game they had 4th down around the 30 yd line. Something like 4th and 7. Pinkle decided to go for it and lock threw a pass out of the endzone to a guy that was double covered. I'll take my chances with Maty scrambling around rather than that. Looks like Mizzou is a 3 pt dog heading down to Kentucky. That's good,they usually play better as the underdog. I'm expecting the defense to do what they do, create a few turnovers. And I'm expecting Mauk to do what he usually does, find a way to win.
Al Agnew Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 I tend to agree with you, BATCAB. Mauk usually finds a way to win. Lock is going to be good, maybe great, but he doesn't have the experience, and he's only as good as the offensive line and receivers will let him be. Mauk, with all his flaws, can do things on his own when the play breaks down. If the o-line doesn't get better, the QB, whoever he is, is going to be under a lot of pressure, not only with the lack of pass protection, but also the lack of a running game. Mauk can probably handle it better than Lock at this point. At the same time, I'm all for getting Lock more experience. It would be nice if they could get a decent lead in some game and put him in for more than one drive in a row.
joeD Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 If a team knows you can't run the ball, how would a freshman quarterback improve your chances? Without standout receivers to boot? Also, as an aside, arguably the two most storied college football programs, Ohio State and Alabama, have quarterback issues. Sign of the times. Still another addendum. Make no mistake, Mauk's success is due to his defense. Many who are now in the NFL.
Flysmallie Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 The fans that boo'd Mauk this weekend should have their season tickets revoked. That would be a dumb move. Football is played for fans. If there are no fans there is no football. If you are stinking it up then maybe you deserve it. When you are doing a great job you love the fans chanting your name and yelling and slipping you some cash on the side. But with that comes the bad. It can't be all great all the time, especially if you suck. Look at the way the Indianapolis fans treated Andrew Luck. It's at all levels.
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