Dec. 28
Sun Bowl
Oregon State 39 ... Missouri 38
Down by 14 late in the game,
Oregon State got a seven-yard
touchdown catch from Yvenson
Bernard with just over six
minutes to play, and with one
more shot, went 54 yards in one
minute scoring on a 14-yard pass
to Joe Newton with just 23
seconds left. Instead of kicking
the extra point and going into
overtime, OSU head coach Mike
Riley chose to go for two and
the win. Bernard took the
handoff and powered his way to
the score just barely getting
over the line. The collapse
ruined a fantastic day from the
Missouri offense as Tony Temple
tore off 194 yards and touchdown
runs from seven and 65 yards and
Chase Daniel threw for 330 yards
and two touchdowns highlighted
by a 74-yard plays to Danario
Alexander. Tiger tight end Chase
Coffman caught an 18-yard
touchdown pass and threw for a
29-yard score to Tommy Saunders.
Player of the game ... Oregon State QB Matt Moore
completed 31 of 54 passes for
356 yards and four touchdowns
with an interception. He also
ran for a one-yard score.
Stat Leaders: Oregon State - Passing:
Matt Moore, 31-54, 356 yds, 4
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Yvenson Bernard, 23-97 Receiving:
Sammie Stroughter, 8-87, 1 TD
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 16-29, 330 yds, 2
TD
Rushing: Tony Temple, 20-194, 2 TD. Receiving:
Martin Rucker, 6-67
Notes & Thoughts ...
There are two ways to use the classic Sun Bowl. If you're
Oregon State, you go into the
off-season jacked up by the
thrilling win and hope the
momentum sparks the team to
bigger and better things in
2007. If you're Missouri, the
soul-crushing loss will give the
coaching staff all the
motivation it needs to kick the
team's tail for the next eight
months. ... Mike Riley will be
given loads of praise for going
for two, but more coaches should
do that in similar situations.
If you have the momentum and the
defense is sucking air, why not
keep the rhythm going when
you're offense is in a groove?
... Missouri's defense did a
great job all day long of
getting into the backfield and
pressuring Matt Moore, except on
the final drive when it needed
to make a play the most. ...
You'd be hard pressed to find a
game with better tight end play.
Missouri's Martin Rucker and
Chase Coffman, along with Oregon
State's Joe Newton, all played
like the Al-America caliber
stars they are. ... If you ever
question why some coaches like
to pour it on even when up late,
this game was the reason.
Missouri didn't appear to turn
the switch off, but it certainly
wasn't as effective late as it
was it was over the first 45
minutes.
|
2006
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
7-5
2006 Record:
8-5
Preview 2006 predicted wins |
| 9/2 |
Murray State
W 47-7 |
| 9/9 |
Ole Miss
W 34-7 |
| 9/16 |
at New Mexico
W 27-17 |
| 9/23 |
Ohio
W 31-6 |
|
9/30 |
Colorado W 28-13 |
| 10/7 |
at Texas Tech W 38-21 |
| 10/14 |
at Texas A&M L 25-19 |
| 10/21 |
Kansas State
W 41-21 |
| 10/28 |
Oklahoma
L 26-10 |
| 11/4 |
at Nebraska L 34-20 |
| 11/18 |
at Iowa State L 21-16 |
| 11/25 |
Kansas
W 42-17 |
|
12/28 |
Sun Bowl
Oregon State L 39-38 |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Prediction: 7-4
2005 Record: 7-5
Preview 2005 predicted wins |
| 9/3 |
Arkansas St
W 44-17 |
| 9/10 |
New Mexico
L 45-35 |
| 9/17 |
Troy
W 52-21 |
| 10/1 |
Texas
L 51-20 |
| 10/8 |
at Oklahoma St W 38-31 |
| 10/15 |
Iowa State
W 27-24 OT |
| 10/22 |
Nebraska W 41-24 |
| 10/29 |
at
Kansas L 13-3 |
| 11/5 |
at
Colorado
L 41-12 |
| 11/12 |
Baylor
W 31-16 |
| 11/19 |
at Kansas State L 36-28 |
| 12/30 |
Independence Bowl
South Carolina W 38-31 |
|
Nov. 25
Missouri 42 ... Kansas 17
Missouri got up 13-0 early
highlighted by a 74-yard
touchdown pass to Jared Perry,
answered a 42-yard Jon Cornish
touchdown run with a 80-yard
drive finished off with a
five-yard Chase Coffman scoring
grab, and then overcame a KU run
with a fourth quarter flurry.
The Jayhawks pulled within three
midway through the third quarter
on a 42-yard touchdown catch
from Aqib Talib, and then
Missouri rolled scoring the
final 22 points of the game on
two of Chase Daniel's four
touchdown passes on the day
including a second to Coffman.
Player of the game ...
Missouri QB Chase Daniel
completed 26 of 38 passes for
356 yards and four touchdowns
and ran ten times for 39 yards
Stat Leaders: Missouri
- Passing: Chase
Daniel, 26-38, 356 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Tony Temple,
21-72, 1 TD Receiving:
Martin Rucker, 7-91
Kansas -
Passing: Kerry Meier, 8-15,
99 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jon Cornish,
15-126, 1 TD Receiving:
Derek Fine, 3-64
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... If
you've got the weapons, you use
them. Seven catches for Martin
Rucker and seven for Chase
Coffman against Kansas helped
make the offense, and QB Chase
Daniel, look awfully good. It's
not like the star tight ends
have been missing from the
offense, but they haven't been
used as much as they should over
the last few weeks. Considering
the ugly, controversial loss to
Iowa State last week, the
blowout win over the Jayhawks
was a much needed remedy.
Nov. 18
Iowa State 21 ... Missouri 16
Ryan Kock ran for a 179 yards
and touchdown runs from one and
nine yards out and Todd Blythe
caught a nine-yard scoring pass
as Iowa State shocked Missouri
to send head coach Dan McCarney
out a winner. Missouri made a
comeback with a seven-yard Tony
Temple touchdown run and moved
down to the Iowa State 11 with a
chance to win, but Shawn
Moorehead ended the game with a
sack of Chase Daniel following a
controversial holding call
negating a one-yard Daniel score. Daniel hit
Martin Rucker with an eight-yard
touchdown pass on the way to a
10-0 Tiger lead before the
Cyclones went on a 21-point run.
Player of the game ...
Iowa State RB Ryan Kock ran for
a career-high 179 yards and two
touchdowns on 32 carries.
Stat Leaders: Missouri
- Passing: Chase
Daniel, 29-44, 310 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Tony Temple,
6-36, 1 TD Receiving:
Tommy Saunders, 7-72
Iowa State -
Passing: Bret Meyer, 15-27,
153 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ryan Kock, 32-179,
2 TDs Receiving: Todd
Blythe, 4-48, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Where has the Missouri defense
gone? A killer over the first
half of the season, it hasn’t
come up with a clutch play in
weeks and was steamrolled over
by Ryan Kock and the Iowa State
running game. Worse yet, the
Tiger ground attack was nowhere
to be found with the offense
revolving around throwing it.
Things work better for Mizzou
when there’s a balance with
someone other than Chase Daniel
running it.
Nov.
4
Nebraska 34 ... Missouri 20
Nebraska efficiently took
control of the Big 12 North race
getting up 17-0 on a trick play
with Maurice Purify throwing a
28-yard touchdown pass to
Terrence Nunn and catching a
seven-yard pass. Missouri got on
the board in the first half on
two Jeff Wolfert field goals and
got within 14 on a six-yard
touchdown pass to Martin Rucker,
but the Huskers put it out of
reach with a 13-play, 85-yard
drive finished off by a two-yard
Brandon Jackson run. The Tigers
managed one more score on a
19-yard Chase Coffman touchdown
catch midway through the fourth.
Player of the game ... Nebraska RB Brandon Jackson ran
32 times for 111 yards and a
touchdown and caught three
passes for 61 yards
Stat Leaders: Nebraska - Passing: Zac
Taylor, 13-21, 208 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Brandon Jackson, 32-111, 1 TD. Receiving:
Marlon Lucky, 4-46
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 20-38, 244 yds, 2
TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Tony Temple, 18-99 Receiving: Dana
Alexander, 4-84
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
All
of a sudden, Missouri's defense
has stopped doing anything
against the run. Oklahoma's
Allen Patrick rumbled last week,
and Nebraska had few problems
keeping things moving. Once
again, the Tigers were killed by
turnovers and became way too
reliant on Chase Daniel to press
when things started going bad.
On the plus side, Tony Temple
appeared to have a spark lit
under him as he ran hard and
well after getting demoted last
week.
Oct. 28
Oklahoma 26 ... Missouri 10
Oklahoma got two touchdown
passes from Paul Thompson along
with a three-yard scoring run,
while the defense forced four
turnovers and came up with a big
goal line stand. The Tigers had
a chance to pull within one
touchdown after getting to the
OU one, but couldn't get in
after taking three shots with a
fourth down pass sailing out of
the end zone. Allen Patrick ran
for 162 yards in place of Adrian
Peterson, while Thompson
connected with Joe Jon Finley
for an 18-yard score and Quentin
Chaney for a 15-yard touchdown.
Missouri's touchdown came on a
13-yard Chase Daniel run in the
third quarter.
Player of the game ... Oklahoma QB Paul Thompson
completed 11 of 19 passes for
127 yards and two touchdowns
and ran for a score..
Stat Leaders: Missouri - Passing: Chase
Daniel, 23-44, 284 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Chase Daniel, 20-75, 1 TD. Receiving:
Chase Coffman, 5-57
Oklahoma - Passing: Paul Thompson, 11-19,
127 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Allen Patrick, 36-162 Receiving:
Malcolm Kelly, 4-40
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Missouri has to do a better job
of limiting mistakes against
decent teams. Now only were
there four turnovers in the loss
to Oklahoma, there were dropped
passes and other miscues. Chase
Daniel was able to get moving on
the ground, but he couldn't
consistently throw and had
problems with interceptions.
This isn't the end of the world
for Missouri, and at the end of
the day, it hardly matters as
long as there aren't any more
slips. Beating Nebraska next
week is far more important.
Oct. 21
Missouri 41 ... Kansas State 21
Missouri overcame an early KSU
fumble recovery for a touchdown to scored 34 straight points on three
touchdown passes from Chase Daniel and a 41-yard David Overstreet fumble
recovery for a score. Kansas State turned it over on three of its first
four possession in the second half, and Mizzou took advantage of each
mistake. The Wildcats ran well once the game was out of reach with Leon
Patton and James Johnson each scoring, but Daniel threw a 15-yard
touchdown pass to Chase Coffman to keep the blowout going.
Player of the game ... Missouri QB Chase Daniel
completed 24 of 31 passes for 262 yards and four touchdowns and ran 13
times for 47 yards
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing:
Josh Freeman, 5-19, 63 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: James Johnson, 20-127, 1 TD. Receiving:
Leon Patton, 2-38
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 24-31, 262 yds, 4
TD
Rushing: Tony Temple, 9-62 Receiving:
Chase Coffman, 6-75, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Missouri
might have won the battle against Kansas State, but it lost a big piece
of its puzzle with star defensive lineman Brian Smith breaking his hip
to likely knock him out for the year. The offense might not have been at
its sharpest and the running game might not have rumbled like it can,
but the offense capitalized on every mistake and Chase Daniel was
fantastic. The defense has to show that the 262 rushing yards it allowed
was just an aberration by letting down in the second half of a blowout.
Now the team can fully focus on Oklahoma and Nebraska in the
make-or-break games needed to get to the Big 12 championship.
Oct. 14
Texas A&M 25 ... Missouri 19
Texas A&M held on to the ball
for 41:30 thanks to a pounding
game from Jorvorskie Lane and
crisp play from QB Stephen
McGee. Lane ran for a one-yard
touchdown and Mike Goodson ran
for a two-yard score to offset
Missouri's big plays. The Tigers
struck on a 38-yard catch from
William Franklin and got a
39-yard Jeff Wolfert field goal
to tie it at 17 and halftime
despite numerous problems with
fumbles including one on a sure
touchdown from Will Franklin,
who was caught from behind by
Jordan Peterson to punch the
ball loose out of the end zone.
The Tiger offense couldn't get
the ball in the second half.
with a safety off a bad snap for
the team's only points. Lane was
the story grinding out the final
3:28 of the game.
Player of the game ... Texas A&M RB Jorvorskie Lane ran
28 times for 127 yards and a
touchdown
Stat Leaders: Texas A&M - Passing:
Stephen McGee, 19-23, 183 yds, 1
TD
Rushing: Jorvorskie Lane, 28-127, 1 TD. Receiving:
Kerry Franks, 3-115
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 21-29, 295 yds, 1
TD
Rushing: Tony Temple, 13-37, 1 TD Receiving:
Chase Coffman, 6-69
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Missouri
lost to A&M, and it has no one
to blame but itself. Turnovers
including four fumbles, and
other mistakes in the first half
allowed the Aggies to get some
early momentum, and then the
defense couldn't get the A&M
offense off the field, and the
Tiger attack couldn't go on any
marches, had a strange fake
field goal call, and basically,
didn't play as well as it can on
either side of the ball. Now the
Tigers have to gear it back up
to beat Kansas State next week
and be ready for Oklahoma to
follow.
Oct. 7
Missouri 38 ... Texas Tech 21
Missouri forced five turnovers
with two interception returns for scores within :28 of each other in the
second quarter to build a 24-0 lead. Xzavie Jackson reached up to snag a
Graham Harrell pass and rumbled 17 yards for a touchdown, and then
William Moore picked off a pass for a 22-yard score. Texas Tech came
back with 21 straight points on three Harrell touchdown passes including
a back-foot toss to Danny Amendola from 23 yards out. But that was as
close as the Red Raiders would get as the Tigers got a six-yard
touchdown catch from Chase Coffman and an eight-yard run from Tony
Temple to put the game away.
Player of the game ... Missouri LB Marcus Bacon made
seven tackles, forced a fumble, made one tackle for loss and a sack
Stat Leaders: Missouri - Passing: Chase
Daniel, 15-22, 173 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tony Temple, 19-76, 2 TD. Receiving:
Will Franklin, 5-90
Texas Tech - Passing:
Graham Harrell, 39-55, 342, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Shannon Woods, 12-95 Receiving:
Joel Filani, 11-114, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Missouri's offense was balanced and steady, while the defense forced the
big plays needed to slow down the Texas Tech offense. The overall stats
might not be impressive, but this was a total team effort to withstand
the mid-game storm just as it looked like the Red Raiders were going to
take over. This was the win the Tigers needed to establish itself as a
legitimate threat to win the Big 12 title, but it'll take a win at Texas
A&M next week to get everyone believing that they're the real deal.
Battles against Oklahoma and at Nebraska down the line will be vital,
but for now, getting past the Aggies would be a nice second step.
Sept. 30
Missouri 28 ... Colorado 13
Chase Coffman caught two first
quarter touchdown passes and
Martin Rucker caught another as
Missouri jumped out to a 21-6
halftime lead. Colorado came out
of the locker room hot with a
63-yard pass to Dusty Sprague
leading to a one-yard Bernard
Jackson touchdown run, but that
would be the last time the Buffs
would threaten. Chase Daniel's
fourth touchdown pass came on a
nine-yard strike to Jared Perry
late in the third for the final
score of the game.
Player of the game ... Missouri QB Chase Daniel
completed 23 of 35 passes for
four touchdowns with two
interceptions
Stat Leaders: Missouri - Passing: Chase
Daniel, 23-35, 253 yds, 4 TD, 2
INT
Rushing: Tony Temple, 18-70. Receiving:
Martin Rucker, 6-66, 1 TD
Colorado - Passing:
Bernard Jackson, 13-27, 190 yds
Rushing: Bernard Jackson, 15-93, 1 TD Receiving:
Riar Geer, 3-39
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The
Missouri offense actually got
outgained by Colorado 373 to
353, but is was far more
effective on third downs.
There's not much of a reason to
be concerned about the lack of a
consistent running game, CU's
defense is strong, and it helps
when Chase Daniel can be
consistent and effective on
passes he absolutely had to come
up with. The team is strong
enough to win without many bells
and whistles. There's no reason
to try fake field goals and
trick plays, like MU tried on
one drive, when things are going
so well. On defense, LB Dedrick
Harrington had an All-Big 12
caliber day as both a pass
rusher and run defender.
Sept. 23
Missouri 31 ... Ohio 6
Missouri's defense only allowed
188 yards and six points coming on an eight-yard touchdown catch from
Thomas Christy. Chase Daniel connected with William Franklin for
touchdowns from 68 and nine yards out, and he ran for a five-yard score.
Jimmy Jackson ran for a two-yard touchdown in the final minutes. Only
turnovers could keep it close with Mizzou giving it away three times.
Player of the game ... Missouri WR Will Franklin caught
four passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Ohio - Passing: Austen
Everson, 13-23, 110 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 10-25. Receiving:
Kalvin McRae, 6-43
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 18-34, 258 yds, 2
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tony Temple 15-60. Receiving: Will
Franklin, 4-99, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The
Tigers did it. With the easy win over Ohio, the non-conference schedule
is over without a loss, and now it's on to the Big 12 slate full of
confidence. The defense has been unbelievable over the first four games
coming up with big plays in all phases and being a rock against the run.
Chase Daniel didn't have his best game against the Bobcats, but it was
good enough to get up early and put the game away. Even with the easy
win, the coaching staff isn't going to be happy with the three turnovers
and nine penalties.
Sept. 16
Missouri 27 ... New Mexico 17
Missouri led from start to
finish, but it didn't put the
game out of reach until late in
the fourth quarter on a two-yard
Karl Goldsmith touchdown run
with under two minutes to play.
The Tiger defense was fantastic
holding the Lobos to only 201
yards of total offense and a
Kenny Byrd field goal until
Marcus Smith scored on a 13-yard
catch with 26 seconds to play.
UNM stayed alive on an 11-yard
interception return for a score
from Michael Tuohy. Mizzou's
Chase Daniel threw a six-yard
touchdown pass to Michael Rucker
and ran for an eight-yard score.
Player of the game ... Missouri RB Tony Temple ran 22
times for 168 yards
Stat Leaders: New Mexico - Passing: Chris
Nelson, 16-31, 168 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Rodney Ferguson, 12-69. Receiving:
Travis Brown, 6-54
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 25-36, 199 yds, 1
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tony Temple 22-168. Receiving: Will
Franklin, 9-76
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
It's not like the Missouri
defense has had to deal with USC,
but it's been extremely solid
over the first three games and
all but shut down New Mexico.
The D has allowed a mere three
touchdowns all year long, one to
New Mexico in garbage time,
another to Murray State in
garbage time, and one to Ole
Miss on a missed tackle at the
end of the first half. The
offense wasn't crisp against the
Lobos, but it had few problems
getting yards when it needed
them. This is looking like the
deep sleeper team in the Big 12
race.
Sept. 9
Missouri 34 ... Ole Miss 7
Missouri had few problems thanks
to a big day from its defense
and a big all-around game from
QB Chase Daniel. Daniel ran for
89 yards and threw for 243 with
a three-yard touchdown run and a
20-yard scoring pass to Brad
Ekwerekwu, but it was the
defense that stole the show
holding Ole Miss to ten first
downs and 162 yards of total
offense. The Rebels got their
only points on a 30-yard
catch-and-run from Marshay Green
late in the first half, but they
weren't able to carry the
momentum into the second half.
Player of the game ... Missouri DB Marcus Bacon made 11
tackles, forced a fumble and
picked off a pass.
Stat Leaders: Murray State - Passing:
Brent Schaeffer, 13-29, 90 yds,
1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, 16-69. Receiving:
Marshay Green, 4-49, 1 TD
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 24-40, 243 yds, 1
TD
Rushing: Chase Daniel, 13-89, 1 TD. Receiving: Brad
Ekwerekwu, 8-95, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Missouri's defense looked rock
solid against an improved Ole
Miss offense with a few good
weapons. Chase Daniel might not
be Brad Smith, but he showed he
can run effectively to go along
with a good passing arm. He
wasn't always sharp, but he kept
the chains moving and was great
on two long, early drives that
all but took the Rebels out of
the game. The key for the team
will be to keep the intensity
over the next few weeks against
New Mexico and Ohio and not
suffer the early letdown it had
over the last few seasons.
Sept. 2
Missouri 47 ... Murray State 7
Missouri dominated from the
start on both sides of the ball
outgaining the Racers 589 yards
to 150 highlighted by a
record-setting performance from
QB Chase Daniel. Daniel set a
school-record with five
touchdown passes with two to
William Franklin highlighted by
a 60-yard play to open the
scoring. MSU didn't get a first
down until midway through the
second quarter and finally got
on the board with less than two
minutes to play on a 13-yard
touchdown pass to Nate Moore.
Player of the game ... Missouri QB Chase Daniel
completed 23 of 32 for 320 yards
and five touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Murray State - Passing:
Zach Barnard, 12-17, 84 yds, 1
TD
Rushing: Chad Cook, 12-31. Receiving:
Chad Cook, 5-43
Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 23-32, 320 yds, 5
TD
Rushing: Tony Temple, 15-119. Receiving: Chase
Coffman, 7-64
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Chase
Daniel got to air his arm out
against Murray State spreading
the ball around well and making
several efficient, big plays to
make it a laugher. The defense
also was fantastic keeping the
Racers from coming close to
making it a competitive game.
The offense was able to try
several different ideas and got
most of the top backups
involved. Ole Miss will be a far
tougher test next week, but if
the Tiger offense can be as
balanced and effective, there
shouldn't be a problem.
2006 Missouri Preview
Missouri Preview |
Offense |
Defense
|
Depth Chart |
Further Analysis
Another season and another year when Missouri is
supposed to finally turn the corner under head coach Gary Pinkel and
be a major player.
We've all fallen for this before, especially when the Tigers had
an all-time talent like Brad Smith at quarterback, but each time
they're supposed to be the bright star in the Big 12 North, it
doesn't happen.
No longer the hot new kid on the block, Pinkel and
Missouri will likely be overlooked by many going into this year
because Smith is gone and the results have been mediocre at best
over the last five years.
But really, truly, really, this should be the year Missouri
becomes a star of the North. Really.
Smith might be gone, but replacement Chase Daniel is a good
young quarterback who'll do just fine. Now the rest of the offensive
playmakers will get more of a shot to shine since the attack can't
be more reliant on Smith, and that's a good thing with four good,
quick backs, a fast receiving corps, and a tremendous tight end
tandem of Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker to catch everything in
sight.
The defense had to rebuild last
year, and all the inconsistencies should pay off in a big way with a
speedy, talented front seven that should camp out in opposing backfield.
The secondary has the most work to do, but there are big, athletic
prospects to expect big things out of playing around star safety David
Overstreet.
So the talent is in place, but then the nagging question has to be
whether or not Pinkel can coach this group. While not on a burning hot
seat, Pinkel could use a good start and a few big wins to keep things
from getting toasty. Teams with 17 returning starters are supposed to
contend for division titles, especially in the average Big 12 North, and
another also-ran season will get the fans grumbling.
Can the team get up for the average non-conference schedule without
falling flat on its face like it did against New Mexico last year and
Troy in 2004? Can it come up with a clutch win in the second half of the
season? Under Pinkel in the last five regular season games of each of
his five seasons, Mizzou has gone a lousy 10-15 and has only beaten one
team (Iowa State in 2004) in November that finished with a winning
record.
But all the problems, all the mediocrity, and all the failed
expectations of the past can go bye-bye with one big season and an
appearance in the Big 12 title game. The wheels were set in motion with
a tremendous victory over South Carolina in the Independence Bowl, and
the schedule starts off nice and squishy to build up a big early record
and some confidence.
In other words, it's time to jump back on the Missouri bandwagon.
Really, it is.
The
Schedule:
There's no reason the experienced Tigers shouldn't be 4-0 to start the
season against Murray State, Ole Miss, at New Mexico and Ohio, and they
can't afford a slip up with a tough conference slate ahead. The Big 12
schedule is nasty missing Oklahoma State and Baylor and having to go on
the road in back-to-back weeks to face Texas Tech and Texas A&M. The
season will come down to late road trips at Nebraska and Iowa State both
coming off a home showdown with Oklahoma.
Best
Offensive Player: Junior TE Martin Rucker and sophomore TE Chase
Coffman. You can't have one without the other. The two tied for the team
lead in receptions (47) last year and each will be an integral part of
the offense. Coffman has unbelievable hands, while Rucker has next-level
talent as both a receiver and a blocker. They'll be the safety valves
for new starting quarterback Chase Daniel to rely on
.
Best
Defensive Player: Senior DE Brian Smith. The school's all-time
leading sacker with 24, Smith is still an unknown around the college
football world. He started off his career as a pass rushing specialist
and has grown into a tremendous, All-Big 12 caliber end. His presence
frees the rest of the line up for plenty of one-on-one blocking.
Key player
to a successful season: Sophomore QB Chase Daniel. He doesn't have
to be Brad Smith, but he has to spread the ball around well and he can't
afford to make mistakes. He should throw for more touchdowns than Smith
did and will push the ball deeper, but he obviously won't rush for 1,301
yards and 16 touchdowns. As long as he's effective on third downs and in
the clutch, everything will be fine.
The season
will be a success if ... the Tigers win the Big 12 North. With road games at Texas
Tech, Nebraska and Iowa State, a division title probably won't happen,
but the team is too experienced to shoot for anything less. They don't
have to be perfect to win the North, but they won't be able to slip up
at home and will need to win three of the four conference road games to
be playing in December.
Key game:
November 4th at Nebraska. Missouri can't win the Big 12 title if it
can't beat the Huskers in Lincoln for the first time since 1978.
Considering it's a sandwich game between Oklahoma and at Iowa State,
this showdown becomes even more important.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- Fourth quarter scoring: Opponents 118 - Missouri 79
- Sacks: Missouri 30 - Opponents 16
- Fourth down conversions: Missouri 17 of 28 (61%) - Opponents 8 of 14
(57%)
The Last Time Missouri…
…played in a bowl game…2005 (Independence Bowl v. South Carolina)
…missed a bowl game…2004
…pitched a shutout…2004 (Ball State)
…was shutout…2002 (Kansas State)
…scored 50 points…2005 (Troy)
…went undefeated…1909
…won a conference title…1969 (share, Big 8)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…Never
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2005 (Brad Smith)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…2003 (Justin Gage)
…had a first-round draft choice…2001 (DE Justin Smith)