3 Keys To Victory For Missouri Tigers VS. South Carolina Gamecocks
By Derek Franks
Thursday Three Keys To Victory
Here it is, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: The Missouri Tigers’ SEC opener. And while Mizzou may be out of contention for the College Football playoff, its journey to defend its division title is still well in place.
Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk must be nothing less than spectacular if the Tigers want to win this weekend. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday sees Mizzou traveling from one Columbia to the other for a chance to avenge last year’s heartbreaking homecoming loss– but perhaps more importantly, position itself, however unsafely, complete alone at the top of the SEC East standings.
The Tigers suffered one of their worst losses in the history of the program last weekend. But according to MU running back, the team is focused and ready to pony up to the Gamecocks this weekend.
“It was different than I expected.” Murphy said. “I expected some guys to be down about the loss but everyone was enthusiastic in practice. The guys were ready to just let it go and focus on South Carolina. I can see the urgency to come out, compete, and get back on track.”
The state of things on the Missouri side has certainly caught our eye. Following the loss, the Tigers coaches mixed things up on the depth chart, so there will be new and different faces this weekend. On top of that, injuries are a concern. Young wide receivers have been called up from the bullpen, and OT Anthony Gatti will not play.
South Carolina (3-1, 1-1) has already played two games in conference play and its campus will host ESPN’s flagship show, College Gameday this Saturday, with the Gamecocks looking for their third consecutive win when the program airs there.
S.C. comes off a less than impressive win over SEC caboose Vanderbilt, but the Tigers should not let the result of that game persuade them that this will not be an extremely tough task this weekend.
Here’s the three keys to victory for Mizzou to fight off the Gamecocks:
1) Use the running game to set up the pass so that Mizzou can expose that vulnerable SC secondary
The Ol Ball coach out-coached Mizzou in last season’s game. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Balance is key here. South Carolina represents a well-coached, well-organized football team on both sides of the ball. Steve Spurrier’s hallmark is to outsmart his opponent. So Mizzou must give them a taste of their own medicine. Be smart with how the game is called, especially on offense. Running the football with confidence and conviction and getting it established early is crucial to setting up the kind of balance they need. Yes, we want to see a great deal of passing, but Murphy and Russell Hansbrough must be allowed to control the line of scrimmage and breakout big plays in order to set up that passing.
2) Maty Mauk has to shine
Here’s Mauk’s chance to show the world he’s the real deal. More importantly for the Tigers’ quarterback, the team desperately needs him to be at the top of his game. With a game that has a potential to have a good deal of scoring, we want to see the QB look stellar in this game. Limiting mistakes, and getting these young receivers open, Mauk can put the game in his hands and give Missouri the best chance to win this game.
3) Control possession time and slow down the game
Tiger head coach Gary Pinkel likes to put the pedal to the medal. His style is “Go. Go. Go!” While the hurry up, fast-paced game is exciting to watch, and is at times very hard to defend, Mizzou has hurt self with going to fast in the past. The Tigers looked completely out of sync last week and suspect its too quick movements are too much for some of the young players too keep up.
This combined with the fact that South Carolina often takes advantage of every chance they have the ball makes me think the Mizzou absolutely must slow things down a level or two. If Missouri can take it down a notch and move the ball steadily and take precious time away from offensive guru on the other side, it stands a better chance at winning the game.
3a) Limit boneheaded mistakes and penalties
This one’s self explanatory folks. As you saw last weekend, you can’t win when they happen.