College Football

[ozark trout fisher]

Well, I'm ready for it to start already. About 10 days now until Dave Steckel & Co come back to Faurot Field.

I'm more optimistic about this Mizzou team than I was before last season, which isn't saying a ton...but at least it's something. I think Drew Lock is about to set the SEC on fire, and with our RBs and receivers, along with an O-line that brings everyone back, no excuse for the offense not to be awesome. I'm pretty certain they'll do well against the Purdues and Missouri States and Vanderbilts of the world, but the test will be how they can move the ball against teams like Georgia and Florida. .

I don't know what to think of the defense. I tend to believe they probably won't be worse than a year ago, because how could they, but they do lose some talented guys, and that secondary is real thin right now. It might be marginally better, but I don't expect any miracles.

The key (it seems this is always the key) is to win all of the non-conference games. That should be more manageable than usual this year.

Picks:

Missouri State-W, 1-0

Sorry Bear fans. Probably not happening.

South Carolina-W, 2-0

Biggest game of the year. Should be a pick 'em, maybe Missouri will be favored by a point or two. But this is a toss up, and could eventually determine bowl eligibility for both teams. Better win.

Purdue-W, 3-0

Technically they are a Power 5 school. And they have the offense to put up some points on Missouri. But I doubt it's enough.

Auburn-L, 3-1

You watch Missouri's run defense last year? This one isn't happening, barring a total Auburn melt-down.

@Kentucky-L, 3-2

Another really big game, and another one where Mizzou's run defense had better be improved if they want a shot to win.

@Georgia-L-3-3

We have a history of playing them surprisingly close. But it's probably not happening in Athens

Idaho-W, 4-3

Better not lose this one.

@UConn-W, 5-3

Better not lose this one, weird road game edition.

Florida-L, 5-4

This one might be ugly and low scoring, because every Florida game is ugly and low scoring. I don't think Missouri wins that kind of game.

Tennessee-W, 6-4

Their defense was really bad last year. It might be worse this year, and they don't have Josh Dobbs. I think this is where Mizzou clinches a bowl game.

@Vandy-L, 6-5

That weird, quiet stadium is tough to win in. Vandy might not make a bowl, but I think they win this one.

@Arkansas-W, 7-5

I really, honestly believe Eric Beisel is living rent free in their heads. Mizzou wins another crazy game in this series, this time in Fayetteville.

 

 

 

[Quillback]

I have to disagree with you on the AR game.  They remember that embarrassing loss last year to Mizzou. 

[Flysmallie]

2 hours ago, ozark trout fisher said:

Picks:

Missouri State-W, 1-0

Sorry Bear fans. Probably not happening.

 

 

I don't think that any of them think that it will, but be prepared for them if they accidently do. They are pretty excited about getting to play at Mizzou. Even offering to take any student that wants to go to the game for free. Mizzou wins but it should still be a good time for everyone. 

[ozark trout fisher]

4 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

 

I don't think that any of them think that it will, but be prepared for them if they accidently do. They are pretty excited about getting to play at Mizzou. Even offering to take any student that wants to go to the game for free. Mizzou wins but it should still be a good time for everyone. 

Honestly, I'm worried that if it is 34-7 instead of 79-0 that a bunch of Mo St fans are gonna claim moral victory and lord it around for awhile. 

In short, I guess I'm actually a little salty about a FCS opponent, which means this game is serving its purpose.

[ozark trout fisher]

7 hours ago, Quillback said:

I have to disagree with you on the AR game.  They remember that embarrassing loss last year to Mizzou. 

We'll see,  hopefully both teams will have something to play for by then and it will be an exciting game. It doesn't surprise me that both fan-bases tend to have that one in the win-column preseason. 

[Al Agnew]

The only thing that makes me slightly optimistic about the Mizzou defense is that apparently Odom is back to his old defense and is not changing again in mid-season like last year.  I'm definitely worried about the secondary, but the defensive line should be at least decent, and the linebackers should be serviceable.

Could end up 8-4, or 4-8, or anywhere in between.  We won't know much until the SC game.  A win there could mean 8-4 is possible.  A loss and 4-8 is possible.  It's a huge game.  

[stlfisher]

Anyone still feeling optimistic?  Mine optimism was shredded after the 1st quarter of the MO State game.  Purdue does not look like a push over against a Mizzou team that looks a lot like last year. We have to win tomorrow or we are in big trouble.  

[Quillback]

Well after watching Arkansas get beat fairly easily at home vs TCU, I am not optimistic for them either.  They just looked flat and uninspired. 

[Al Agnew]

5 hours ago, stlfisher said:

Anyone still feeling optimistic?  Mine optimism was shredded after the 1st quarter of the MO State game.  Purdue does not look like a push over against a Mizzou team that looks a lot like last year. We have to win tomorrow or we are in big trouble.  

No optimism here.  However, I'm cautiously not TOO worried about the defense, believe it or not.  I think they're fixing stuff on defense; it hasn't looked bad since the first half of the MO State game.  I'm more worried about the offense after last week.  Moore got the dropsies again, and Lock made some stupid mistakes.  Plus, if they don't get special teams fixed it's going to be tough to beat anybody.

[joeD]

Barry Odom just isn't quite ready for prime time.  The athletes are mostly there,  just...just...