Missourian Optimism

The following article was written by guest writer Tyson Hunt.  Hunt is a long-time Mizzou fan, and his take on the upcoming game with Oklahoma comes from an extremely optimistic point of view.  This guy is about the most optimistic MU fan you will ever meet.  I'm sure he has money on Mizzou winning this weekend.  The views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of the author of the blog... hell, I think the 21 point spread is just about right.  But, it does make you think... Here it is:

The unranked “conference wreckers,” our beloved Mizzou Tigers, get ready to take on the egotistical, “we can enter any conference we wish (hahahaha)” Goliath’s, #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Norman this Saturday.

Now, for the outside observer who only pays attention to what ESPN tells him/her, Mizzou shouldn’t even show up to try to compete against the Sooners this Saturday.  I mean after all, Bobby Stoops has a career record of 72-2 at home, and is 38-6 vs. the Big 12 North.  One of those 6 losses happened to come at the hands of our Missouri Tigers when Oklahoma was ranked #1 in the country and strolled into the Zou on homecoming last year, having already won the game according to the “experts.”  I won’t recap that amazing moment, because quite frankly it really doesn’t matter.  

We are starting a new quarterback who will be playing in the biggest game of his career, but who also knows nothing about “always” losing to Oklahoma.  Remember, we didn’t play the Sooners in 2009, and a lot of our players only have a memory of beating the Sooners, and so therefore should have a mental edge going into this game.  Should.

Winning in Norman is not easy, hell it’s damn near impossible.  I mean 72-2 at home!!!  That’s impressive.  Mizzou cannot afford to lose many, if any, of the in-game battles for the duration of the game.  Mizzou has to have dominating offensive, defensive, and special teams performances.  Slack in one of those areas, and OU will win their 73^rd game at home under the Stooper.   

The Tigers go into this game as somewhere around 21 point underdogs, and if I was a betting man I wouldn’t touch that bet.  But, this Tiger team has shown flashes of brilliance, and they continue to get better.  In order to win this Saturday, besides playing almost perfect, several things MUST happen:

1. Establish the running game early, and don't abandon it even if it doesn't seem to be working.  We MUST keep the Oklahoma defense on their heels and guessing all night long.

2. PRESSURE LANDRY JONES!!!  Against FSU last weekend, when the ‘Noles brought pressure, Landry crapped up his back.  He looked very uncertain under pressure and threw a couple terrible picks.  Mizzou MUST bring the heat and bring it often.  I want to see Andrew Wilson in the backfield quite a bit Saturday night.  I want to see our d-line wrecking shop on the front 4 of the Sooners.  I want to see Tigers chew up land grabbers.  I want to see PRESSURE DEFENSE!!!!! 

3. We have to win the turnover battle.  No if’s, and’s, or but’s.  We can’t tie in this category either.  We must force more turnovers than they do.  Period.

 

4. Mizzou's SEC speed!

5. Special Teams.  Again, Mizzou cannot afford to lose many battles to OU and expect to win in Norman.  We have to win the field position battle and our All-American kicker has to hit 47-yarders before halftime and at the end of regulation.  I think Grant Ressel will hit them Saturday.  Trey Barrow just has to keep doin’ what he’s been doin’.  And that is punting the ever-loving hell out of the football.  With OU’s starting WR and punt returner out (Trey Franks), a special teams fumble by OU would be nice.  Don’t be surprised to see a fake punt involving Barrow, either.  If you remember, Stoops beat Pinkel and Brad Smith at Faurot in 2002 on a fake field goal.  Mizzou led OU 24-23 with six and a half minutes to play and on 4^th down Stoops called for the fake and it went for six.  OU went for two and got that to take a seven point lead.  Remember here if you'd like:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQoLJXCYIEw  That took the wind out of Mizzou's sails and they couldn't muster another score.  Don't think Coach Pinkel wouldn't love an opportunity for payback.

Some might be surprised to learn that there are a multitude of reasons why Mizzou will win that have nothing to do with the actual game. 

Exhibit A:  Their fans.  These people don’t deserve to win.  And we all know how much “deserving” has to do with the outcome of a sporting event.

How do you put this on, leave the house, and go any-damn-where?  Just sad. 

Seriously? He can’t feel the breeze up his ass?  Really?

So, to recap…in order for Mizzou to walk out of Norman with a victory, they have to play perfect, especially in the areas we listed above.

Mizzou 31

OU 27

And even if we don’t win, at least we can be happy knowing we are heading to the SEC, and OU will be left milking the bulls of Texas.

M – I – Z !