Thursday Three Keys To Victory:
Just two weeks ago, the upcoming game between the Missouri Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies looked a lot different than it does today. On this Thursday before the next big test for Mizzou, the stage is set to determine the fate of two SEC programs which, despite some recent wins for both, are still in desperate need of a “W”.
Mizzou must set Marcus Murphy loose this weekend. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
While A&M struggled mightily with a three game losing streak, capped by 59-0 obliteration at the hands of Alabama, it returned to its winning ways by stunning 4th ranked Auburn a week ago. For Missouri, which rides a three game winning streak itself, the tide has turned in its favor for a return to the SEC championship game. The formula is simple: win and they’re in.
But for both teams, there is an equal playing field. What confidence A&M lost during its blunders of the previous month, it has regained after a tough road win over a vastly favored team. By being the home team, A&M makes this game a toss up. But a toss up that, if the Tigers aren’t careful, they could watch their SEC title hopes disappear.
Here are the three things MU needs to do take down TAMU this Saturday:
Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run!
There is a simple way to beat Texas A&M when you have the ball. Do that ^. The Aggies have what one might call a “super vulnerable” rushing defense. Unfortunately, Auburn figured that out too late. Those Tigers waited until the fourth quarter to unleash their running game, and alas, it beat the Aggies to a pulp for four straight possessions. Too little, too late. Auburn still lost.
That can’t happen to the Missouri Tigers. They must run, run, run, run, run the football until both Marcus Murphy and Russell Hansbrough’s legs stop working. Then let quarterback Maty Mauk go crazy with the ball on the ground. If the Tigers don’t attempt to pass the ball in the first half—I’ll be happy.
Of course, it is unlikely. And it’s a rotten shame. Mizzou’s offense, which has looked light years from prolific this year, has been far too pass-happy for an offense that has been light years from prolific. My hope is that they learn that, with a limping offensive line, youthful receiving core and a talented (but still teething) quarterback, Missouri will realize that the best option in any situation is to get their star runners going. Against A&M’s defense, if you run the ball 75 percent of the time. You’re going to win that game.
Smoke Kyle Allen
If there’s one bright spot in Missouri’s 2014 season, it’s the defense, which ranks 25th in the country and third in the SEC. Particularly, their passing defense has been an absolute force. With defensive end behemoth’s Shane Ray and Markus Golden, The Tigers must get after Texas A&M’s signal caller, Kyle Allen.
Markus Golden has a golden opportunity to dismantle the Aggie offense this weekend. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The true freshman quarterback will be starting in just his third game for the Aggies (and the first was against Louisiana Monroe). While the young QB was surprisingly spectacular against Auburn a week ago, we’ve seen this story before. The Aggies previous quarterback, Kenny Hill, went nuts in the opening week against South Carolina, and then the wheels fell off after that.
Allen is younger. He’s still learning. And it’s a perfect to get him to learn just how good the Tigers pass rush is. If Missouri can limit Allen’s big plays, and hit him hard throughout the game, Missouri will fluster and fester the Aggies passing offense and keep it at bay. If that’s the case, I see the Tigers winning the game. That is, if they do the other thing I’m begging them to do (see above) (and below).
Run the football more.
I don’t think I can stress it enough. Therefore, two of our “three keys to victory” for the Tigers relates to running the football.
So let’s look at the numbers.
Texas A&M’s overall defense ranks a very sub-par 89th in the country. Through the air, they give up 234.7 yards per game—still not pretty—but not nearly as woeful as the rushing numbers are. They give up 196.3 yards per game, that’s good enough for the 97th ranked rushing defense in the country folks. Newsflash, Gary Pinkel.
Let’s keep a couple of things in mind as well. First of all, Auburn didn’t take advantage of these struggles and thus, A&M’s numbers improved (they were 99th in the country before that game). Secondly, the Aggies have played teams like Rice, SMU, Louisiana-Monroe and Lamar. So the numbers of those games are included in this stat as well.
TEXAS A&M IS BAD, BAD, BAD AGAINST THE RUN. I don’t know how to beat this into Missouri’s heads any more.
South Bound & Down
The problem? The Tigers drop back to pass more than any other team in the SEC, and they do so to the tune of just 170 total passing yards per game (that’s good enough for 113th in the country in total passing—yikes). Add the fact that Missouri’s underutilized rushing attack is comprised of one of the best running back duos in the conference—and maybe the country—and you can see where there’s a real fear there that they won’t run the ball even against A&M.
This won’t be an easy game. Before last week’s surprise, A&M was the underdog in this game. That’s no more—they’re favored by 4.5 points. But if Mizzou learns from Auburn’s mistakes, they can find a way to win.
I honestly still think Mizzou is the better team. But the Tigers must just play 100 percent to their potential if they stand any chance at winning this game in the hostile environment of Kyle Field.