Missouri Tigers: Three Keys To Victory Vs. Indiana Hoosiers

The term “trap game” is one that will make Missouri Tiger fans cringe.

Especially when the circumstances are the way they are this week when Mizzou hosts big underdog Indiana on its home turf, with a chance to advance into its Southeastern Conference play undefeated and already in the driver seat.

Tiger QB Maty Mauk should be all smiles if the game plays to expectations and he leads Mizzou to a 4-0 record Saturday vs. Indiana. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers will move on to play South Carolina– who already has a loss– a week later, as the two sides battle for the Columbia Cup. But more importantly, they battle to see who gets the first leg up in the East division.

That is the first big opportunity to prove to the world that this “inexperienced” Mizzou bunch really belongs. But more importantly, it’s the opportunity that every member of the black and gold family has been waiting for, a chance to avenge the hearbreaking homecoming loss a year ago—

Wait a minute.

I just did it. I fell for the trap!

That’s why it’s called a “trap game” right? Because everybody’s looking ahead. And it’s something that cannot happen for a second if Mizzou wants to put a “return” stamp on Indiana and send them back the way they came in: losing.

Here are the three keys to victory for the Missouri Tigers on Saturday.

Put it in “turbo” and don’t let off the gas:

I expect to see Missouri go with the air show in this game. As Indiana’s defense is by far a weak point, offense should soar. Even though I’ve been calling for more balance, in this game, it should be Mauk getting into his groove from the getgo and never looking back. With running back Marcus Murphy a little banged up, it doesn’t help the cause. If he and his counterpart Russell Hansbrough get going though, they shouldn’t be allowed to stop. Whatever Mizzou does that starts working, they should just do it until Indiana can’t take it anymore. Or until 4 quarters are up. It just needs to be that kind of a statement game for this offense.

Run Defense is Crucial

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South Bound & Down

Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel made a note to single out Hoosier running back Tevin Coleman. He’s probably the single biggest threat Indiana has. He’s rushed for 437 yards already, averaging 9.3 yards per carry. This is following a season where, as a sophomore, he ran for 958 yards before an ankle injury sidelined him for the last three games of the season. Mizzou cannot come out and let Coleman have the kind of day where he runs all over Missouri that it somehow keeps this team in the game. The image of South Dakota State running a 75-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage has still left a sour taste in my mouth. They can’t let Indiana do that.

Control Possession = control flow = Control the game

Indiana isn’t a juggernaut of an offensive team, but it’s still pretty solid. But what’s important to note is their fast-paced style and quick plays, which means there will be more plays. While Indiana is a pretty lousy defending team, their offense may be able to get into a swing and put up some points. Which is why Mizzou can throw a cog in that machine by keeping the football. Missouri will feel tempted to indulge in the fast-paced offense, we’ve seen this plenty. But if the Tiger coaches have some of sense in them, they’ll try to slow things down a little. If they can have a pretty hefty lead in the time of possession, the Tigers will take care of Indiana pretty easily in the end. Expect a lot of points though.

One last thing: Mizzou cannot, under any circumstances, be thinking about South Carolina. Just think Star Wars: Return of the Jedi here: It’s a trap!