Mizzou position breakdown

[carlfense]

Good deduction.

 

Im taking anything away from the Mizzou players, but quite frankly i feel that their is more experience, talent and depth on the Husker side than the Mizzou side.

 

QB - Zac Lee is almost in the same boat as Gabbert, athletically speaking of course, they both have flaws and will be pretty close when the stats end this year and need work throughout the season, and it will be fun to watch both their development. Lee's major flaw is playing in a hostile environment and getting a rhythm when on the road, though we only have one game to go by on that, the Mizzou one will be another big test for him.

 

RB - Im just going to flat out say it, Helu is better than Washington, and i think Burkhead will be ok running against them as well.

 

WR - This could be looked as a weakness, Huskers came into the season with the notion that TE's would get more use than WR's, but quite frankly its been passed around pretty evenly, maybe more so for the WR. Even though we dont have a firm set of WR's yet, there are a lot that stand out. Such as Gilleylen, Brooks, Holt, and Paul. Even the backups have gotten some attention like Cooper, Kinnie, and Bell.

 

Offesive line - What can i say, would Helu be able to slash his through the first 4 games like he with crummy blocking? Or would Lee only have been sacked 3 times this year if the blocking that was that bad?

 

Defensive line - C'mon, do i need to go here? We held VaTech to 16 points. And 13 of them came from two bad defensive stands. I wouldn't expect any less of an outstanding performance from the Husker defense line on Thursday.

 

LB - Although they are young, they have been doing a great job learning the position and have helped with the fact that Huskers have only given up 28 points in just 4 games.

 

Coverage - Gabbert has a strong arm, and has proved it in the past 4 games, our coverage will be tested if the DL cant put enough pressure on him to make mistakes.

 

Keys to a Husker victory...

 

We must win the turnover battle, whether it comes with INT's or fumbles, we have to win it.

 

Lee must be able to get into a passing rhytme should the running game get a little flaky. He must come out and take charge of the offense against the crowd.

 

Helu must be prepared to run good and hard against the Tigers if Lee cant get things together with the passing game.

 

DL needs to apply pressure to Gabbert, make him force throws or put it up for grabs, LB need to watch Gabbert's speed, and the coverage needs to get picks or swat away passes when the ball is thrown. NO BLOWN COVERAGES!!!

 

Thanks for the breakdown. Based on what you and others said, here's how I see the "talent comparison". This doesn't really mean head to head advantage, but it's fun for fans to talk about. I'm sure others will see things differently, because I see an advantage for Mizzou.

 

QB:

Gabbert - Passing yards ranked 9 (despite 2nd fewest attempts in top 10), passing efficiency ranked 9th (one of 2 players in top 10 for yards and effieciency, plus he's top 10 in total offense), 0 INTs, 11 TDs, somewhat untested, but so far plays better under pressure situations.

Lee - Passing yards ranked 42, passing efficiency ranked 22, 3 INTs, 7 TDs, 11 for 30 in his toughest game

Advantage: Gabbert

 

RB:

Washington - Very good back. 45% of team carries, 4.4 YPC, 75 YPG, voted 2nd team all conference

Helu - Very good back, likely will finish over 1,000 yards barring injury and good potential for all conference team, 6.3 YPC, 116 YPG

Advantage: Slight edge to Helu based on season so far. Advantage last year was Washington. Given other factors such as O-line and depth, I'm tempted to call this one a push, but for the sake of argument, I'll say slight advantage Helu.

 

WR:

Mizzou: 3 proven playmakers who will contend for all conference this year, plus players with lots of potential in the wings

Nebraska: From what I've seen and the comments on this board a solid but not great group.

Advantage: Significant Mizzou advantage

 

O-Line:

Mizzou: 3 of the 5 are above average to very good. 1 position is average and the other position below average. As a group, they are playing average right now (season as a whole, not just Nevada), but have potential to be above average.

Nebraska: From what I know, they've consistently opened holes and protected the QB even against good competition.

Advantage: Significant advantage in production for NU, slight advantage in talent I'll say, though I do think Mizzou can make up ground here. Offensive Line is the 2nd hardest position to master in college football, and we've got 3 freshmen (including 2 true frosh) and 5 sophomores in the 2 deep, with only 1 Jr and 1 Sr. This group will improve, the question is how much. Offensive lines this young generally aren't very good at all. We've been more inconsistent: good at times and bad at times.

 

D-line:

Mizzou: Our defensive end rotation is the best I've ever seen at Mizzou. We have a 3 headed monster here and sometimes they're all on the field at the same time. At least one of them will go pro, and 2 have a legit shot. They run like linebackers, but have enough beef and talent to play the rush well. DT, we've got more talent than they're playing. Jaron Baston is a proven playmaker, but a step down from our NFL level DTs the last few years that clogged the middle. Sophomore Terrell Resonno is physically very very talented, but hasn't had production to match. He MIGHT play in the NFL one day, but right now he needs better technique and more of a mean streak. His backup and the 3rd main rotation player is most likely to get pushed around by a good offensive line.

Nebraska: Suh. Enough said. Plus I hear good things about his counterpart. I've also heard you've got good but not special DE's and pass rush. A good DT makes a pass rush look better because the QB can't step forward though.

Advantage: You guys aren't going to like this, but I'm calling this one a push. You've got better run stopping, but we've got better pass rush and edge pursuit. I would be open to arguments though. I do think NU could outplay us here if your ends play really smart assignment football, but on talent alone, I do think it's a push, mainly because of Suh.

 

LB:

Mizzou: Sean Weatherspoon, All American candidate. 2 deep at every position, all of them faster than your average LB. As a unit, probably one of the top 2 or 3 fastest LB corps in the conference. And they hit really hard. Easily the best LB unit we've had at Mizzou.

Nebraska: From what I hear, you've brought in some talented new players that have upgraded your speed. I'd say that's equivalent to Mizzou's 2nd team, and I mean that as a compliment, because those guys will play almost equal time with the starters. They're really good. However, we still have the starters as well, so...

Advantage: Mizzou

 

Secondary:

Mizzou: Much maligned last year, one of worst in the country. However, that wasn't due to lack of talent. We were worst in the nation in long plays given up, and players openly and in the media complained that communication was bad and sometimes they didn't know what defense they were supposed to be playing. Bad bad bad. Even if they just cut big plays in half, still over the national average, we'd have been ranked in the 50s in pass defense against the Big 12 QBs. Not horrible. This team has the most speed we've ever had on secondary, and leads the conference in fewest big plays under new defensive coordinator Dave Steckel. We've faced some pretty decent QBs and are doing alright in pass defense. We're not going to be Florida or Oklahoma, but this secondary I think is going to end the year pretty respected. I expect top 5 in conference and possibly top 3.

Nebraska: From what I've seen here this is the weak link in your defense and really could get tested. Unknown whether can hold their own or not against a good passing attack.

Advantage: Mizzou, possibly big advantage.

 

Your running back and d-line conclusions . . . (2 yards less per carry against better competition and you call it a push?! And d-line . . . my head hurts.)

[fro daddy]

Blaine Gabbert may be the best throwing Mizzou QB to ever wear a uniform, but no way in hell is he the most talented QB to wear a Mizzou uniform. I'll eat crow if he passes for 2000 or more and rushes for 1000 or more this year because Brad Smith did it by the time he was a sophomore!

 

I only wish we had half the talent on those teams as we have had lately. Poor Brad was a one man show most times...

[knapplc]

It sounds like the real strength of your team is the lines and your QB and RB. To me, that means your running game has to dominate, which could be hard against Mizzou despite what Nevada did to us, and if you do that you must be able to make us pay with play action. Mizzou's strategy will be to let you chip away with the running game, get lots of yards, but stall drives on the occasional short run that puts you in 3rd and long.

This is the key to the game in my opinion. I'm interested in why you think we won't have success against your run defense, considering how Nevada gashed you guys and how we gashed VT.

 

We can run the ball. Missouri is mediocre against the run. Why do you think it will be hard for us to run against Missouri?

[knapplc]

Blaine Gabbert may be the best throwing Mizzou QB to ever wear a uniform, but no way in hell is he the most talented QB to wear a Mizzou uniform. I'll eat crow if he passes for 2000 or more and rushes for 1000 or more this year because Brad Smith did it by the time he was a sophomore!

 

I only wish we had half the talent on those teams as we have had lately. Poor Brad was a one man show most times...

Agreed, and Pinkel should have been chastised severely for trying to turn him into a pocket passer. He didn't manage Smith's career very well at all.

[fro daddy]

Blaine Gabbert may be the best throwing Mizzou QB to ever wear a uniform, but no way in hell is he the most talented QB to wear a Mizzou uniform. I'll eat crow if he passes for 2000 or more and rushes for 1000 or more this year because Brad Smith did it by the time he was a sophomore!

 

I only wish we had half the talent on those teams as we have had lately. Poor Brad was a one man show most times...

Agreed, and Pinkel should have been chastised severely for trying to turn him into a pocket passer. He didn't manage Smith's career very well at all.

 

I know nothing of 2004. My memories skip that year. 2003 yes i do recall that. 2005 yes that also. What is this "2004" you speak of

[cscott2win]

I have to go with Brad Smith as the best qb the Tigers had against the Huskers also. Granted I don't make a habit of watching MU but he was a one man crew! Who was it? Corbie Jones? He was alright and caused teams fits and the qb back in the mid to late 70's that beat the Huskers in back to back years? MU has had some pretty good COLLEGE qb's over the years.

[teachercd]

Man after reading that Mizzo breakdown I would have thought that they were the number one team in the nation. That write up reminded me of guys in college who would brag about how hot their girlfriend was, then that girlfriend would come visit and you would realize that everyone has different meanings for the word hot.

[In the Deed the Glory]

Man after reading that Mizzo breakdown I would have thought that they were the number one team in the nation. That write up reminded me of guys in college who would brag about how hot their girlfriend was, then that girlfriend would come visit and you would realize that everyone has different meanings for the word hot.

[Red Dawn]

The only position I care about is when Suh puts Gabbert in the doggy style position.

Gabbert is gonna get laid....out.

[Fuzzy]

I'll eat crow if he passes for 2000 or more and rushes for 1000 or more this year because Brad Smith did it by the time he was a sophomore!

 

I will hold you to that statement, lol.

[junior4949]

Blaine Gabbert may be the best throwing Mizzou QB to ever wear a uniform, but no way in hell is he the most talented QB to wear a Mizzou uniform. I'll eat crow if he passes for 2000 or more and rushes for 1000 or more this year because Brad Smith did it by the time he was a sophomore!

 

I only wish we had half the talent on those teams as we have had lately. Poor Brad was a one man show most times...

 

 

Exactly, and he won several games all by himself as well. For building a COLLEGE football team, I'd take 100 Brad Smith's over one Blaine Gabbert anyday of the week. Of the Big 12 QB's out there right now, Gabbert probably has the most promising NFL career ahead of him. However, he's not playing in the NFL right now.

[cheeserunza]

To summarize your posts in this thread:

 

QB – Most talented ever at MU

 

RB – Considered by Pinkel to be the best ever at MU

 

WR/TE – Only slight drop off from last year (who were considered by many to be the best ever at MU)

 

OL – Expected to be a strength on a team (which apparently has many positions considered to be the best ever) but not living up to expectations, YET.

 

DL – Lots of talent and the fastest ever at MU (as good as NUs)

 

LB – Best ever at MU (NU’s starters might be as good as MUs backups)

 

DB – Too many good players to list. (probably top 3 in the conference)

 

A couple observations:

 

You are tempted to call the RB position a push based on what Washington did last year. What does last year have to do with anything?

 

You seem to want to give your OL (and DL for that matter) the benefit of the doubt based on youth and potential, but yet fail to recognize that NU has talented young players across the board (particularly on Defense) with huge potential as well (ie starting 2 rs freshmen lbs)

 

I think this post illustrates the difference between NU and MU as programs. Many of these positions on MUs current team, you have considered to be the best ever at MU. And in a game I consider to be a 50-50 contest, NU has only one player on its current roster which can be considered in the top five at his position in NU history.

[carlfense]

To summarize your posts in this thread:

 

QB – Most talented ever at MU

 

RB – Considered by Pinkel to be the best ever at MU

 

WR/TE – Only slight drop off from last year (who were considered by many to be the best ever at MU)

 

OL – Expected to be a strength on a team (which apparently has many positions considered to be the best ever) but not living up to expectations, YET.

 

DL – Lots of talent and the fastest ever at MU (as good as NUs)

 

LB – Best ever at MU (NU’s starters might be as good as MUs backups)

 

DB – Too many good players to list. (probably top 3 in the conference)

 

A couple observations:

 

You are tempted to call the RB position a push based on what Washington did last year. What does last year have to do with anything?

 

You seem to want to give your OL (and DL for that matter) the benefit of the doubt based on youth and potential, but yet fail to recognize that NU has talented young players across the board (particularly on Defense) with huge potential as well (ie starting 2 rs freshmen lbs)

 

I think this post illustrates the difference between NU and MU as programs. Many of these positions on MUs current team, you have considered to be the best ever at MU. And in a game I consider to be a 50-50 contest, NU has only one player on its current roster which can be considered in the top five at his position in NU history.

 

 

Now THAT is a good first post. Kudos.

[jjamuss]

To summarize your posts in this thread:

 

QB – Most talented ever at MU

 

RB – Considered by Pinkel to be the best ever at MU

 

WR/TE – Only slight drop off from last year (who were considered by many to be the best ever at MU)

 

OL – Expected to be a strength on a team (which apparently has many positions considered to be the best ever) but not living up to expectations, YET.

 

DL – Lots of talent and the fastest ever at MU (as good as NUs)

 

LB – Best ever at MU (NU’s starters might be as good as MUs backups)

 

DB – Too many good players to list. (probably top 3 in the conference)

 

A couple observations:

 

You are tempted to call the RB position a push based on what Washington did last year. What does last year have to do with anything?

 

You seem to want to give your OL (and DL for that matter) the benefit of the doubt based on youth and potential, but yet fail to recognize that NU has talented young players across the board (particularly on Defense) with huge potential as well (ie starting 2 rs freshmen lbs)

 

I think this post illustrates the difference between NU and MU as programs. Many of these positions on MUs current team, you have considered to be the best ever at MU. And in a game I consider to be a 50-50 contest, NU has only one player on its current roster which can be considered in the top five at his position in NU history.

 

I didnt read the post, but had to say something about your handle... it's awesome!!

[MoFan]

let me make this simple...

 

position by position breakdown of the missuckit tigers...

 

position: losers.

 

 

 

 

the end.

 

real insightful