Cy some of that is more than a little decieving. Considering Iowa St when for it on 4th down 3 time and 3 times they turned it over on downs. So to say they punted once is true, but doesnt tell the whole story. The avg runs looks good until you realize that it came when MU was up big and dropped in zone coverage. When Iowa St had to run on short yardage, they couldn't. St. rarely threw the ball further than 4 -5 yrds down field. they used bubble and quick screens the whole night. There were some bigger passes they threw, but the avg attempt went for 6 yrds. Not exactly shreding the middle of the field at 10-12 a pop. THe main thing is MU gives up a ton of yrds. They are like 7th or 8th in total D in the big 12. But they are 3rd in D scoring. They give up a ton and plays and yards, not many scores. (iowa st. had 77 plays saturday) This game was never close. It was over when the MU buses showed up in Ames.
I dont really think that NU's D line has improved that much, they have just played the worst big 12 teams in sacks allowed and tackles for loss over the past 2 weeks. (9 of their 21 sacks on the season have come the last two weeks) NU has ZERO sacks against the 3 best teams they played. OU, TT & MU. BTW the only team D. Washington shreaded as much as Iowa St with his 11 carries for 128 yrs, was NE where he went for 139 on 14.
Plus you made one very key point. The NU secondary still sucks. Mu would score as easily and more often since everyone seems to agree NU would score more this time. Instead of playing the 4th quarter with backups, including the last 7 mins on the game with 3rd stringers, Mu would have hung another 14-21 pts on the board and left with 66-73 pts total.
I agree the game will be closer. But still a fairly easy win for MU. Atleast 14 pts. Probably more in the 21-24 range.
You must have been watching a different game...Catlett caught 6 passes over the middle for 70 yards. That's his career high...11.5 yards a pop. Houston Jones caught three between the LB's and secondary for 57 yards...close to 20 yards a catch. Hell...even Franklin caught two over the middle for 42 yards. If ISU can exploit the middle that bad on MU, what are you going to do against Bradford, McCoy or, hell, even Reesing?
Speaking of sacks...since you made a point of it....how many did MU have against ISU? I think it was...none? Hmmm...considering MU has been whoopin up on a lot of powerhouse opponents over the past four weeks (ISU - 2-9, Kansas State - 4-7, Baylor - 4-7, Colorado - 5-6) you would think your passing defense might rank somewhere other than 117th in the nation? Even ISU ranks better! Your defense is a travesty...don't even kid yourself thinking your team could compete in the upper division of the South...or even that you'll be able to continue to tread water in the North next year.