I've talked just a little smack this week, but I do think this will be a good game. Here's how I see Mizzou's personnel. I'd love to see the same about NU.
QB
Blaine Gabbert. Blaine is quite simply the most talented QB to ever wear the mizzou uniform. Obviously, Chase was pretty decent, so we take a step backward from last year. However, in QB's you have ones that hold you back, ones that execute the offense, and ones that win games for you. Blaine, as a true sophomore, is the latter. I'm glad Pinkel didn't redshirt him, because I'll be surprised if he's here for his senior year.
Now, that doesn't mean he's perfect. He gets happy feet when the pass rush gets behind him. He has improved on this over the season, and seems to settle down as the game goes on, but it's easily the weakest part of his game. He also take sacks when he shouldn't and it's a miracle he hasn't thrown an interception, because he's thrown a few up for grabs. He has a lot of other areas to improve on as well, looking off receivers, footwork, etc (he loves to throw off his back foot). But he reads defenses pretty well, doesn't throw a lot of bad throws, is pretty accurate, and has an absolute cannon of an arm. Oh, and he runs faster than Jacory Harris (really). Not as shifty, but straight line he'll outrun cornerbacks sometimes.
As for backups, Costello is a former walk on who has done pretty well, and by all accounts, won't lose the game for you if he has to come in.
Receivers
Obviously we lost Maclin and Coffman and some other good players. I love our coach's quote from earlier this year. To paraphrase, we can't run the "throw a 5 yard pass to Maclin for a 80 yard TD anymore" offense. He just was on another level. Coffman too, was the best college tight end I've ever watched. So it's natural to think there's a big dropoff there, and there is. But the good news for Missouri is that the big dropoff still leaves us higher than most teams. I'd say KU has a better receiving corps, probably OSU. Others can make a claim, but we're up there in the conference.
Danario Alexander is our biggest playmaker. If he hadn't had a broken wrist and 4 ACL surgeries, he'd be a sure All American candidate. Naturally, you can't absorb those injuries unscathed, but you can still see what made him dangerous. As someone on AtomicTeeth.com said, he runs like a newborn Caribou, and that's meant in both a good and bad way. Really fast, but really awkward. He doesn't accelerate like Maclin did, but may have higher top end speed. At 6'5" and 40" vertical, the dude can get up high too. And he's a good route runner, getting open pretty well.
Our next two playmakers are Jared Perry and Wes Kemp. Jared was a frosh all american, and then disappeared his sophomore year. Last year he had a respectable season as our 4th option. But this year he's decided to shine again. He's built like a featherweight boxer and it looks like a stiff wind would blow him over, but he's got great speed, acceleration, moves and playmaking ability. He's right behind Danario in catches, and with slightly more yardage. I'd call Alexander option 1 and Perry 1a. Taking advantage of the coverage those two draw is Wes Kemp, who reminds me a lot of our receiver a couple years ago, William Franklin. Franklin played second fiddle to Maclin and Rucker, but still got drafted and looks to be a journeyman NFL reciever. Not too shabby. Kemp doesn't look All American in any one aspect, but he's got good size, speed, strength, acceleration and hands. Everything you want at this level.
Beyond that it gets a little thin. All of our running backs can catch the ball. Jerrell Jackson has potential, but seems to be suffering from Jared Perry syndrome watching all the other guys make plays instead of stepping up. Still, a pretty good receiving corps. I think our big challenge will be getting separation against the fastest defenses that we're going to start facing in conference play, particularly Texas. From 2007 to last year, you could really tell the difference in how tight they were covered after we lost Franklin and Rucker and didn't have quite as many playmakers. same should be expected this year.
Running backs
Pinkel says this is the best running back stable he's ever had. I don't know about that, but they're definitely not going to hold us back. Derrick Washington was 2nd team all conference last year, and among returning backs had the most yardage last year. He's not going to pull away from your secondary, but he's got nice moves and cuts. He does seem to be struggling this year with finding the right holes and is tentative though. Behind him is Devion Moore, he changes things up with more of a shifty running style, and you'll also see carries from Kendial Lawrence, and exciting frosh who has most fans clamoring for more carries. He's got difference maker written all over him, but he's still learning the little things.
Offensive Line
The general consensus was that this would be a strength this year, as would the running game. I was skeptical of this claim and now I feel unfortunately vindicated. That doesn't mean there's not potential. I think we're weakest at guard, particularly left guard. And we seem to be having some real issues with missed assignments and poor technique. That said, this is a big, strong bunch with at least average speed, probably a little better. I don't think they've lost because they've gotten out-physicaled, so I don't know how that will play out vs Nebraska. Will the more physcial style bother them, or is it more an issue of technique and assignment? Again, not sure this applies to left guard, where we've gotten pushed around slightly more, though I think that's fixable as these guys aren't small and slow.
Defense
Defensive Line
This is a story of the good and the mediocre. We've got a few issues here to work out, but also a lot of talent. The strength is our DE's, which are the fastest bunch I've seen at Mizzou. They are big, strong and fast. Aldon Smith might be playing on Sunday before he senior year, but for right now, he needs to keep low so he doesn't get stood up. He's got really long arms and lots of speed, so he's a sackmaster. Brian Coulter has started playing up to expectations this year, and has said he "gets it" this year, while he was confused last year. He tends to have high highs, but also mistakes. He'll make plays but also lose contain or miss an assignment. Jacquies Smith is the other main option, and he's probably the least noticed but arguably the best. He has linebacker speed and it's easy to forget he's a DE. All 3 are around 250 and 6'5".
At tackle, we're in a little worse shape. We rotate in mainly 3 players. Jaron Baston is our best tackle, and he's a step down from our last two tackles that went pro, but still pretty good. I noticed against Nevada he wasn't getting pushed off his block, and in fact was pushing around his blocker, but he was just going the wrong places. He'd run right past where the action was. If we want to clog the middle against you guys, he needs to have a better nose for the ball. The other tackle is not quite as set, and while they are physically impressive and athletic (I've never seen a 280 lb guy with no body fat) they seem to lack technique, getting stood up, and got pushed around a little at Nevada. However, they are not consistently bad or good, beating their man sometimes and getting pushed straight back others. Either way, you could have success in this matchup.
Linebackers
Quite simply the best group I've ever seen at Mizzou. I know I've said that a couple of times now, but this is exactly why I'm so high on this team. Lots of talent. These guys are really fast and really hit. They're not quite as fast as they were advertised to be, but even discarding the hype, they fly around pretty well. The headliner is Sean Weatherspoon, a sure first rounder if he continues his play. He's bulked up over 250 now, but doesn't seem any slower, and knows how to hit. We go two deep at all 3 positions without much dropoff, so you'll see a lot of names, but the other one to remember is Will Ebner, who is just a linebacker's linebacker. Nose for the ball and when he hits, you go backwards. Really, in your couch at home you go backwards. It hurts just to see it. He's been an understudy this year, but it's hard to imagine him not seeing the bulk of the playing time, even if he's out of position now and then as a true sophomore.
Secondary
Mizzou's defense, and particularly it's secondary, was really maligned last year. I think that was somewhat deserved, but even with the best players departing, it's clear they're better this year. Secondary, more than any other position, is defined by your failures more than successes. You're good if you stop them 95 times, great if you stop them 99, and bad if you stop them 85. Mizzou, even last year, didn't lack speed, and they've got even more this year. The key is stopping the big play, and they're doing very well at that this year under new defensive coordinator Dave Steckel.
Now, in not giving up the big play, they've played a little softer, so I worry about a team that can chip away. Bowling Green has that style of offense and a good QB, but they're still bowling green. I think Texas and KU are the games that worry me in this respect. From what I gather about NU, it's more about sucking you up with the run and going deep, but maybe I'm wrong. If I'm right, I don't see that being successful unless we have to stack 8 in the box. You'll have to earn your passing yards the hard way.
We've got a lot of good players here. Probably too many to list. If memory serves, I think we're rotated 6 CBs and 4 or 5 safeties. The safeties and corners are pretty good in run support. Lots of speed and lots of youth, but generally have played in position. The best is probably Carl Gettis, a standout CB as a frosh (I think was frosh all american) who had a disappointing sophomore year, but seems to be better than ever after slimming down 15 pounds.
QB
Blaine Gabbert. Blaine is quite simply the most talented QB to ever wear the mizzou uniform. Obviously, Chase was pretty decent, so we take a step backward from last year. However, in QB's you have ones that hold you back, ones that execute the offense, and ones that win games for you. Blaine, as a true sophomore, is the latter. I'm glad Pinkel didn't redshirt him, because I'll be surprised if he's here for his senior year.
Now, that doesn't mean he's perfect. He gets happy feet when the pass rush gets behind him. He has improved on this over the season, and seems to settle down as the game goes on, but it's easily the weakest part of his game. He also take sacks when he shouldn't and it's a miracle he hasn't thrown an interception, because he's thrown a few up for grabs. He has a lot of other areas to improve on as well, looking off receivers, footwork, etc (he loves to throw off his back foot). But he reads defenses pretty well, doesn't throw a lot of bad throws, is pretty accurate, and has an absolute cannon of an arm. Oh, and he runs faster than Jacory Harris (really). Not as shifty, but straight line he'll outrun cornerbacks sometimes.
As for backups, Costello is a former walk on who has done pretty well, and by all accounts, won't lose the game for you if he has to come in.
Receivers
Obviously we lost Maclin and Coffman and some other good players. I love our coach's quote from earlier this year. To paraphrase, we can't run the "throw a 5 yard pass to Maclin for a 80 yard TD anymore" offense. He just was on another level. Coffman too, was the best college tight end I've ever watched. So it's natural to think there's a big dropoff there, and there is. But the good news for Missouri is that the big dropoff still leaves us higher than most teams. I'd say KU has a better receiving corps, probably OSU. Others can make a claim, but we're up there in the conference.
Danario Alexander is our biggest playmaker. If he hadn't had a broken wrist and 4 ACL surgeries, he'd be a sure All American candidate. Naturally, you can't absorb those injuries unscathed, but you can still see what made him dangerous. As someone on AtomicTeeth.com said, he runs like a newborn Caribou, and that's meant in both a good and bad way. Really fast, but really awkward. He doesn't accelerate like Maclin did, but may have higher top end speed. At 6'5" and 40" vertical, the dude can get up high too. And he's a good route runner, getting open pretty well.
Our next two playmakers are Jared Perry and Wes Kemp. Jared was a frosh all american, and then disappeared his sophomore year. Last year he had a respectable season as our 4th option. But this year he's decided to shine again. He's built like a featherweight boxer and it looks like a stiff wind would blow him over, but he's got great speed, acceleration, moves and playmaking ability. He's right behind Danario in catches, and with slightly more yardage. I'd call Alexander option 1 and Perry 1a. Taking advantage of the coverage those two draw is Wes Kemp, who reminds me a lot of our receiver a couple years ago, William Franklin. Franklin played second fiddle to Maclin and Rucker, but still got drafted and looks to be a journeyman NFL reciever. Not too shabby. Kemp doesn't look All American in any one aspect, but he's got good size, speed, strength, acceleration and hands. Everything you want at this level.
Beyond that it gets a little thin. All of our running backs can catch the ball. Jerrell Jackson has potential, but seems to be suffering from Jared Perry syndrome watching all the other guys make plays instead of stepping up. Still, a pretty good receiving corps. I think our big challenge will be getting separation against the fastest defenses that we're going to start facing in conference play, particularly Texas. From 2007 to last year, you could really tell the difference in how tight they were covered after we lost Franklin and Rucker and didn't have quite as many playmakers. same should be expected this year.
Running backs
Pinkel says this is the best running back stable he's ever had. I don't know about that, but they're definitely not going to hold us back. Derrick Washington was 2nd team all conference last year, and among returning backs had the most yardage last year. He's not going to pull away from your secondary, but he's got nice moves and cuts. He does seem to be struggling this year with finding the right holes and is tentative though. Behind him is Devion Moore, he changes things up with more of a shifty running style, and you'll also see carries from Kendial Lawrence, and exciting frosh who has most fans clamoring for more carries. He's got difference maker written all over him, but he's still learning the little things.
Offensive Line
The general consensus was that this would be a strength this year, as would the running game. I was skeptical of this claim and now I feel unfortunately vindicated. That doesn't mean there's not potential. I think we're weakest at guard, particularly left guard. And we seem to be having some real issues with missed assignments and poor technique. That said, this is a big, strong bunch with at least average speed, probably a little better. I don't think they've lost because they've gotten out-physicaled, so I don't know how that will play out vs Nebraska. Will the more physcial style bother them, or is it more an issue of technique and assignment? Again, not sure this applies to left guard, where we've gotten pushed around slightly more, though I think that's fixable as these guys aren't small and slow.
Defense
Defensive Line
This is a story of the good and the mediocre. We've got a few issues here to work out, but also a lot of talent. The strength is our DE's, which are the fastest bunch I've seen at Mizzou. They are big, strong and fast. Aldon Smith might be playing on Sunday before he senior year, but for right now, he needs to keep low so he doesn't get stood up. He's got really long arms and lots of speed, so he's a sackmaster. Brian Coulter has started playing up to expectations this year, and has said he "gets it" this year, while he was confused last year. He tends to have high highs, but also mistakes. He'll make plays but also lose contain or miss an assignment. Jacquies Smith is the other main option, and he's probably the least noticed but arguably the best. He has linebacker speed and it's easy to forget he's a DE. All 3 are around 250 and 6'5".
At tackle, we're in a little worse shape. We rotate in mainly 3 players. Jaron Baston is our best tackle, and he's a step down from our last two tackles that went pro, but still pretty good. I noticed against Nevada he wasn't getting pushed off his block, and in fact was pushing around his blocker, but he was just going the wrong places. He'd run right past where the action was. If we want to clog the middle against you guys, he needs to have a better nose for the ball. The other tackle is not quite as set, and while they are physically impressive and athletic (I've never seen a 280 lb guy with no body fat) they seem to lack technique, getting stood up, and got pushed around a little at Nevada. However, they are not consistently bad or good, beating their man sometimes and getting pushed straight back others. Either way, you could have success in this matchup.
Linebackers
Quite simply the best group I've ever seen at Mizzou. I know I've said that a couple of times now, but this is exactly why I'm so high on this team. Lots of talent. These guys are really fast and really hit. They're not quite as fast as they were advertised to be, but even discarding the hype, they fly around pretty well. The headliner is Sean Weatherspoon, a sure first rounder if he continues his play. He's bulked up over 250 now, but doesn't seem any slower, and knows how to hit. We go two deep at all 3 positions without much dropoff, so you'll see a lot of names, but the other one to remember is Will Ebner, who is just a linebacker's linebacker. Nose for the ball and when he hits, you go backwards. Really, in your couch at home you go backwards. It hurts just to see it. He's been an understudy this year, but it's hard to imagine him not seeing the bulk of the playing time, even if he's out of position now and then as a true sophomore.
Secondary
Mizzou's defense, and particularly it's secondary, was really maligned last year. I think that was somewhat deserved, but even with the best players departing, it's clear they're better this year. Secondary, more than any other position, is defined by your failures more than successes. You're good if you stop them 95 times, great if you stop them 99, and bad if you stop them 85. Mizzou, even last year, didn't lack speed, and they've got even more this year. The key is stopping the big play, and they're doing very well at that this year under new defensive coordinator Dave Steckel.
Now, in not giving up the big play, they've played a little softer, so I worry about a team that can chip away. Bowling Green has that style of offense and a good QB, but they're still bowling green. I think Texas and KU are the games that worry me in this respect. From what I gather about NU, it's more about sucking you up with the run and going deep, but maybe I'm wrong. If I'm right, I don't see that being successful unless we have to stack 8 in the box. You'll have to earn your passing yards the hard way.
We've got a lot of good players here. Probably too many to list. If memory serves, I think we're rotated 6 CBs and 4 or 5 safeties. The safeties and corners are pretty good in run support. Lots of speed and lots of youth, but generally have played in position. The best is probably Carl Gettis, a standout CB as a frosh (I think was frosh all american) who had a disappointing sophomore year, but seems to be better than ever after slimming down 15 pounds.
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