Remember back when you were looking over the Missouri Tigers schedule at the beginning of the season? You looked at Kentucky in the first weekend of November and circled it as a “sure win.”
Not so much anymore. This Kentucky team can play. And if the Tigers aren’t careful, they will get beat this weekend. Have no fear, we’ve got you covered with the three things Mizzou needs to do to beat the Wildcats this weekend.
The Tigers secondary has its work cut out for them against QB Patrick Towles and the “air raid” offense of Kentucky. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The coaching staff for Missouri must once again devise a great game plan this weekend, and they must also prepare their team and have their players show up disciplined. We all know that wasn’t the case against Vanderbilt who they beat, 24-14 a week ago, but did so in a game where they had 14 penalties for 100 yards. That can’t happen this weekend.
Here are the three keys to victory for Tigers against Kentucky:
The Passing Defense Must Be at the Top of its Game:
Kentucky introduced its fans to something new this season, an offensive game plan called the “air raid.” And its been effective. This thanks in large part to the superb play so far from first-year quarterback Patrick Towles, who has taken quite nicely to raiding through the air.
Towles has thrown 2,077 yards so for on 163 for 271 passing, and has complimented it with 12 touchdowns and four picks. The wide receivers are young but fast, which could expose the still learning defensive secondary of Mizzou. Those backs have performed better than we all thought they would, completing the defensive package that has been impressive this season.
But this will be a test for them. The Wildcats do exactly what second-year offensive coordinator Neal Brown intended with this “air raid.” Expect them to stretch the field vertically and make Mizzou’s young secondary work for everything they get. On top of it, the Wildcats are anchored on the offensive line by two three-year starters who give UK on of the SEC’s best pass protection. Star defensive ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden will have to play lights out just get a few big plays in the backfield.
The TIgers will need to turn Marcus Murphy and company loose this weekend against Kentucky. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Run it and run it and run it:
Last week in its win over Vanderbilt, Missouri FINALLY learned what we’ve been begging them to figure out all season. Run the ball, and everything opens up. It’s a miracle. The Tigers rushed for 244 yard in that win and while many worried that the 24 points scored was a bad omen, it was actually just a sign that Mizzou had learned to slow down the game.
Football is all about possession and controlling the flow of the game. Instead of running a hurry up where you throw on every play, trust your talented backs and keep the ball in your hands.
This is advice MU should head this Saturday. Kentucky’s weakest point defensively is its rushing defense. Kentucky is 12th in the SEC at stopping the run, allowing 192 rushing yards per game. The Wildcats also rank 13th in the league by conceding 4.56 yards per carry to their opponents. Kentucky is also 5th in the SEC at stopping the pass and their defensive secondary has helped them to second in the conference by forcing 18 turnovers. Simple math folks. Give Murphy and Hansbrough the ball and run it and run it and run it.
South Bound & Down
Mauk-Tober Carries into November:
Quarterback Maty Mauk finally looked like his old self Saturday, throwing for a modest 191 yards, but dialing up two great plays for touchdown passes. What was refreshing to see was how calm and collected he seemed. That may have been the missing piece in previous games, where passes seemed to get away from him and he looked uncomfortable in the pocket. That cannot be the case this weekend. The Tigers are counting on another solid performance from their leader. Much like Missouri, Kentucky gets after quarterbacks. And even with the improved offensive line play last weekend, the blockers are still missing pieces.
That means Mauk has to be a cool cat when he drops back for passes. He’ll have to know when to get rid of the ball and when to tuck it when getting hit Missouri’s offesne was bolstered by several big rushes from its QB a week ago. We’d love to see Mauk take off running when need be; Kentucky’s defense is vulnerable to big runs from the quarterback, as we saw a week ago with Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott. It won’t be easy going up against the UK pass rush. But if he plays with confidence, and looks comfortable– and with a great performance from the running backs– the Tigers will win this game.