2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 2 - Missouri at Arizona St
-
Big 12 Fearless Predictions &
Conference Page
-
Pac-12 Fearless Predictions &
Conference Page
Follow Us @CFBNews
Like Us
Facebook | E-mail Us
Sept. 9 Arizona State 37 … Missouri 30 OT
CFN Analysis: The Sun Devils did everything they could to try to lose the game. Even with Brock Osweiler finishing with a sharp 353 yards and three touchdowns, to go along with a rushing score, in his breakout performance, and even with Aaron Pflugrad coming up with eight catches for 180 yards and two scores, it took a missed Mizzou field goal to stay alive. With 12 penalties, many of them at the worst possible times, and spotty pass defense even with a good push into the backfield, there’s still work to do. A lot of work. For now, though, this was a win over a ranked team, and it was a moment that might show that the Sun Devils are finally ready to go to another level. The momentum now has to carry over to the road trip to Illinois.
If you were to tell Missouri that the game could be won on a Grant Ressel field goal attempt, it would be a lock. The two missed field goals from the All-American aside, the Tigers had no business being alive late after having so many problems with the ASU passing game and with 11 penalties for 113 yards. On the plus side, James Franklin looks like a keeper, showing poise and maturity under intense pressure finishing with 319 yards and two touchdowns on 26-of-42 passing. While the offense is going to let him throw like a typical Mizzou quarterback, he had a terrific game on the ground with 84 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. The defense gets a week off against Western Illinois before going to Oklahoma.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona State won in a Black Out.
Brock Osweiler hit Jamal Miles on an 11-yard touchdown pass in overtime and Arizona State made a big early season statement with a wild 37-30 victory over No. 21 Missouri on Friday night.
Arizona State (2-0), playing in front of a "Black Out" crowd at Sun Devil Stadium, built a 30-16 lead behind Osweiler's 353 yards and three touchdowns passing, and another score rushing.
Missouri (1-1) charged back in the fourth quarter behind James Franklin, who hit L'Damian Washington on a 25-yard touchdown pass and tied it on 3-yard TD pass to Michael Egnew with 2:50 left.
Missouri's Grant Ressel missed a 48-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in regulation, then Osweiler opened overtime with the TD pass to Miles, his second of the game.
Missouri's final chance ended when Franklin's pass on fourth down fell harmlessly in the end zone, ending a back-and-forth game that included 23 penalties for 224 yards.
Aaron Pflugrad had eight catches for 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns - the second on a trick play from Miles - and Arizona State had 492 yards to end a 10-game losing streak against ranked opponents.
Franklin threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 84 yards and another score. Missouri had 501 total yards, but converted just three of 15 third-down chances to see its 22-game winning streak in regular-season nonconference games come to an end.
Both teams came in looking to make a statement against a big-time program after opening against smaller schools.
Arizona State rolled over UC Davis in its opener, thanks to 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns from Osweiler, along with a stingy defense that held the FCS Aggies to minus-4 yards rushing before giving up a couple of late scores.
The Tigers struggled offensively in their opening 17-6 win over Miami of Ohio, scoring their fewest points in an opener since 2001 as Franklin played with what he called "jittery feet" in his first start. Missouri's defense made up for the offensive shortcomings, stifling the RedHawks, giving up the one score after an interception by Franklin gave them a short field.
This first-big-test matchup had Sun Devil Stadium juiced for one of the few times in recent years, a sellout crowd - the first since 2008 - of 70,236 fans dressed in black to create the "Black Out." A nearby lightning storm added to the buzz, as did the celebrities in attendance: golfer Phil Mickelson, Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash, not to mention a dozen or so NFL scouts.
They got to see quite a show.
Osweiler was sharp from the opening drive, squeezing a 12-yard touchdown pass between two defenders to Miles, who was pinballed but still held on.
Arizona State had to settle for Alex Garoutte's 47-yard field goal after a fourth-down conversion was wiped out by a penalty early in the second quarter, but Osweiler answered Missouri's first touchdown with a 60-yard scoring pass to Pflugrad on the next play.
Osweiler had the hockey assist on back pass to Miles, who hit Pflugrad for a 35-yard touchdown pass, then took it in himself for a rumbling 12-yard touchdown run up the middle that put ASU up 30-16. Osweiler finished 24-for-32.
Franklin matched Osweiler with his arm and legs.
He had a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, set up three field goals Ressel and opened the fourth quarter with a 25-yard TD pass to Washington that got the Tigers within 30-23 early in the fourth quarter.
Franklin followed with the 3-yard touchdown pass to Egnew, tying it at 30-all with 2:50 left, and had the Tigers moving again, but Ressel missed the final chance in regulation. Franklin's last-ditch attempt on fourth down in overtime fell in the corner of the endzone when he receiver cut inside. He finished 26 for 42.
© 2011 The Associated Press.
Missouri (1-0) at Arizona State (1-0) Sept. 9, 10:30, ESPN
Here’s The Deal … Those who just can’t wait to watch Saturday’s slate of games get a treat this week—a Friday night tilt involving two ranked teams. Missouri and Arizona State enter Week 2 in somewhat similar situations. Both reside on the fringe of the Coaches Poll, eager to raise their profiles and begin scaling the Top 25. The Sun Devils, which got to 1-0 with a blowout of UC Davis, were a trendy choice throughout the offseason to exceed expectations by winning the newly-formed Pac-12 South Division. Is Sparky for real, or just the product of hype momentum?
A visit from Mizzou will go a long way toward answering that question. The Tigers feel as if they have something to prove as well, especially after failing to impress in a 17-6 defeat of Miami University. The game will be particularly telling for sophomore QB James Franklin, who’s making his first career road start. If he can rise to the occasion in hostile territory, everyone might need to reevaluate the Tigers’ potential in 2011.
Why Missouri Might Win: Mizzou’s biggest edge on Friday night will occur where most observers pay the least attention—in the trenches. The Tigers boast a tougher offensive and defensive line than the Sun Devils. Though the left side of the O-line is green, RT Dan Hoch and the Tigers are tough and physical at the point of attack. Arizona State, on the contrary, has had a perpetual problem with pass protection. The situation won’t get any easier this week. Even without injured DE Jacquies Smith, Missouri has a deep and relentless rotation of pass rushers. Brad Madison will flush lumbering Brock Osweiler from the outside, while Dominique Hamilton and Terrell Resonno harass him from up the gut. Hamilton, in particular, was outstanding in his return from a season-long injury, helping hold Miami University to just 270 total yards.
Why Arizona State Might Win: Can Missouri create enough on offense to outscore the Sun Devils? Now, Arizona State won’t light it up, but it might not have to in order to capture the win. The Tigers had all kinds of problems last week, gaining just 291 yards and converting 3-of-13 third down tries. And now they must face Vontaze Burfict, one of the most feared linebackers in America. The junior can intimidate the Mizzou offensive line, which already saw him on film racking up three sacks in Week 1. The Tigers must also contend with DE Junior Onyeali, an up-and-coming pass rusher. Osweiler’s objective will be to test a young Missouri secondary with help from top receivers Gerell Robinson and Aaron Pflugrad.
What To Watch Out For: Unsure of himself as a passer, Franklin must resist the temptation to lock onto one receiver, likely sure-handed T.J. Moe or top-flight TE Michael Egnew. If the quarterback doesn’t spread the ball around, it’ll allow the Sun Devils linebackers and safeties to neutralize his favorite target. To win in Tempe, Missouri also needs more production from its running backs. The Tigers got only 76 yards on 21 carries from Kendial Lawrence, Henry Josey and De’Vion Moore, which won’t be enough to soften Burfict and fellow linebackers Colin Parker and Shelly Lyons.
What Will Happen: What exactly has Arizona State achieved of late to make it the clear-cut favorite over a well-coached Missouri program? Sure, there’s Burfict and home field advantage, but the Sun Devils are not quite as complete as the Tigers. Mizzou will shake off its sluggish opening day performance, frustrating ASU with the play of its defense. Yes, the offense will stall in the red zone, leaning instead on its secret weapon to close out drives. Ace PK Grant Ressel will boot four field goals to provide the difference in a mild upset that really shouldn’t be that big of a shocker.
CFN Prediction: Missouri 26 … Arizona State 24
- Click For Latest Line From ATS:
Arizona State -8 O/U: 52.5
- Get Tickets For This Game
- FREE EXPERT COLLEGE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
