(Mizzou quarterback James Franklin awaits the call)
Roasting in the sun, downing water after water to no avail, I started to think I may not be able to make it through the first half of today's Missouri - Miami (Ohio) game. I have to imagine the oppressive heat was partially responsible for the lackluster play on the field.
Both teams looked, well, terribly average. Mizzou netted a meager 291 yards, and the Redhawks weren't far behind with 270, most of them through the air. The Tigers managed a W with a 17-6 edge, but their play has not inspired the Tiger faithful - though it shouldn't necessarily discourage them entirely. (I said entirely).
We'll begin with quarterback James Franklin, since all eyes are on him. His performance was nothing other than what all of us expected - he can run the ball, and struggles with the pass. The good news is he is a very strong runner who could actually do damage to defenses, rather than the type of quarterback who can occasionally scramble out of a broken-down play. The problem is that you cannot win games that way, especially when opposing defenses know it's coming. The few times Franklin did go to the air made me wonder if he wouldn't be better suited at a different position. - But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Franklin was reportedly very hard on himself after his performance, but this pessimism is unnecessary. He finished the day with a rushing TD, a passing TD, and 1 interception. On an uneventful 100 degree day, that's not bad at all for your first start in Division I College Football.
(Franklin rushes in for the first TD of the game)
The zone read was a popular call by Pinkel and the coaching staff today, and allowed Franklin to showcase his running ability. He instinctively hit holes, and leads with his pads a bit more often than his coaches would like him to, I'm sure. (Franklin injured would probably sink the Tigers' season - does anyone know who the back-up is?) The passing play looked similar to the offense under Gabbert's command, but with even less throws down-field, and a few expected first-game misfires. The receivers got the ball in space, and tried to make plays. Franklin's one TD pass came on a well-executed play in the redzone to receiver Marcus Lucas. Moe led the day with six receptions for 56 yards, and had a few good moves, but does not look up to form.
The offense's main problem was their inability to string together lasting drives. Their 12 offensive drives averaged a dismal 21.6 yards, and only two drives were over 35 yards (a 42 yard drive and a game-long 76 yard drive ending in the first Missouri TD, run in by Franklin). These are far from the numbers Tiger fans have become accustomed to with their Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert offenses. Miami Ohio is a decent team - they won the Mid-American conference last year in an upset over Northern Illinois, and went on to win their bowl game (against weak Middle Tennessee State). But a promising Mizzou team that is number 21 in the land should do a lot better than 291 yards and 17 points.
The Missouri defense didn't look much better. They allowed the Redhawks to move the ball on their first drive of the game, but a missed field goal kept the scored knotted up at 0. They continued this bend-but-don’t-break trend late into the first half. Miami drove the ball into the redzone and it looked like they were about to make it 7 - 10 at the half. The defense committed two costly penalties in a row, allowing Miami to inch even closer to the Tiger goal-line. Just as it looked like the Redhawks could make it a game, the struggling Tiger's secondary came up big with an athletic pick in the end zone. With the exception of this play, it was the secondary that sagged the most in the unit. Mizzou looked good against the run, particularly up the middle, but Miami quarterback Zac Dysert took advantage of a lazy-looking secondary. It was Miami's failure to execute and score that kept the game in the Tiger's paws, not any action by the defense.
(Mizzou corner E.J. Gaines gets the pick)
All in all the play was discouraging, if for nothing but the fact that the numbers were nowhere near what Missouri has become accustomed to. The only redeeming quality is that most of the lack of productivity can be written off as inexperience. The offense wasn't dysfunctional, they simply were not in rhythm. The defense didn't implode, they just need some sharpening. I almost died sitting in the heat, I can only imagine what it did to the players on the field.
So Mizzou fans, don't get too down on yourselves. Every team needs to get better, and the Tigers are in perfect position to do that. We all know they need to greatly improve on both sides of the ball to compete in the Big 12 - the coaches know it, and the players know it. There's just one problem.
In six days the Tigers face a strong Arizona State team in the desert. This Sun-Devil team played weak Division I-AA UC Davis this week, so it's hard to tell how good they really looked. But boy, they sure looked good. Arizona State dominated UC Davis 48-14, producing exactly like Mizzou should have. It's time for me to eat my words - Mizzou may not be one bit underrated. If things don't pick up fast, 8-4 is optimistic.
This Mizzou squad is not bad, they simply aren't strong. They are a young team that is struggling to replace stars like Daniel, Gabbert, Maclin, and Alexander. Pinkel has done great things to make Missouri competitive again, and in a way the Tigers lucked out with Gabbert's success. It's time to settle down and figure out how to stay competitive year-in and year-out. There is a lot of potential on this team, but with the changing landscape of College Football, (and the apparent fracturing of the Big-12), Missouri's future may be as uncertain as it's been in a decade.
Preseason I would have picked Mizzou over ASU in a heartbeat for this Friday's matchup. But after today I have to go with the Sun Devils, and I'm afraid to say it probably won't be close.
(All photos taken by Zach Lynn)
As a student who actually works with the football team, and sees the effort they put in behind the scenes, I for one am not worried. Just listen to TJ's press conference after the game. http://vimeo.com/28559815 and I think things will be answered. One bad game shouldn't write off a team or a player, especially James, it's the first game. Also, I do know who his backup is, and if you were a dedicated journalist, you would know too. Maybe get your facts straight. Just an idea, since journalism is all about reporting facts.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt they put in effort, as does every other team. The beauty of this sport is that we can both say whatever we want, but they still have to play the game on the field. Read the article, nobody's written off, we (Mizzou fans) just had a lot of questions answered and improvement is needed. I know who the backup is, I was being facetious. What facts are in question? Also I just transferred in, I'm sitting in my second week of j-school classes just calling it like I see it! I'm an MU fan, but I'm not going to let my bias and personal pride get in the way. The tigers need to keep on working hard.
ReplyDeleteI disagree...the defense pitched a shut-out if not for the 6 points given to them by a bad throw that put the Redhawks immediately in the redzone. It's hard for any secondary to stop a three step drop, dink-and-dunk passing scheme. That game plan worked great for moving the ball down field, but it did not lead to any points. Gotta give credit to Dysert, he looked good, better than Franklin, but that could very well be the best Dysert can play, Franklin not so much, and we won. The offense will get in rhythm. Franklin had to pick A TON of snaps off his ankles, which couldn't help his timing and mindset. His mechanics looked a bit off at times, but it was his first game as a D-1 starter on a team that has sent three consecutive QBs to the NFL. Of course our expectations are a bit high, rightfully so.
ReplyDeleteBring on ASU, I think Mizzou wins a close one in the desert, and we hang the game on the play of our defense and much improved QB and offensive line play.
I appreciate your input. You're right, Dysert did play well, except when they got near the goal line. If not for the pick we could be looking at a very different game. With a team like Miami Ohio its difficult to tell if the Mizzou defense got to them in the redzone or if the offense simply failed to execute (as they did on many errant throws including the drive with the int.) My concern is how good the defense will look against a much more effective ASU offense.
ReplyDeleteMizzou's center needs to get some more reps in for sure, the ball was snapped poorly almost every time. That's a good point as to why Franklin didn't look sharper!
I still pick ASU though, we'll see what happens. I'm excited to see the game! Thanks again for commenting.
I have a few concerns as well. No doubt the Tigers are practicing hard and giving it there all, that I won't criticize. You have to put a few factors into the first game last saturday. The biggest thing, it was the first game! with a new qb trying to walk the lines Brad smith started. Also if you were at the game, you would have felt like you played! some sort of physical activity that day,the "heat-bowl" I called it. So I can only imagine how the football players felt, (which Z. Lynn brought up earlier). I agree with Z. Lynn the way they played caused some concerns with me as well. Arizona State isn't a cupcake win, like last week should have been. And with the lost of defensive End J. Smith, I worry the defense will not be able to hold their ground like they did vs Miami(OH) if Mizzou's offense continues to have 3
ReplyDeleteand outs. My point is, The O better get in sync during this week of practice, or it could be a lop-sided victory for the Sun Devils this Saturday.
I agree. I have no doubt that the offense will be more productive later on in the year, my main concern is that this Friday's game is going to come too quickly and they won't have enough time to prepare. The nice change in weather should help though.
ReplyDeleteMy comments are directed at the student manager that took a shot at Z. Lynn for not being a "dedicated journalist."
ReplyDelete1. Nowhere in his analysis did Z. Lynn suggest that we should panic about Franklin's play. He was very clear that pessimism is unnecessary...1 TD Pass, 1 TD Run, and only 1 Interception.
2. Who cares who the back up is right now. Tiger fans (like Z. Lynn) are focused on the development of their Sophomore star, Mr. Franklin, not whether or not some Freshman from Lee Summit, or a red shirt Senior from Liberty, or lord help us a Sophomore transfer from Lindenwood, will step in and save the day.
3. The focus of Z. Lynn's analysis was the defense, which is still VERY suspect. I love MIZZOU...everything MIZZOU...however, they have teetered under the "prevent/cover 2" philosophy for too long. In 2010, they allowed 4.1 yards per rush and 10.6 yards per catch; in 2009, 3.3 yards per rush and 10.7 yards per catch; in 2008, 3.4 yards per rush and 10.7 yards per catch...need I go on? I understand that they kept Miami (OH) to 2.1 per rush and 7.5 per catch, but when we (Tiger fans, football fans, bloggers, and College students that clearly only read part of their assignments) start touting this type of defensive performance against a Mid-Major (yes, I know they won their conference last year) as legit, we need to check our "reporting of the facts" as you say.
4. If you choose to attack someone's intelligence, reporting ability, or football savvy on this blog...at least have the decency to leave your name.