The Missouri Tigers were dealt a shocking blow Sunday evening. In the wake of a wildly successful 2014 football season, and as the team prepared for its upcoming New Years’ Day bowl game, it was announced that the team’s second leading wide receiver, Jimmie Hunt, will be inactive for that game.
And just like that, the Citrus Bowl takes its first dramatic turn.
If Marcus Murphy can make some Minnesota players miss, the Missouri Tigers may have the key to win. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Hunt, who tore his labrum in the SEC Championship game was believed to be good to go for the game. But after days of increasing pain, the Tiger medical staff came to the conclusion that the only solution was to operate. The surgery effectively ended the 2014 season for Hunt with just one game left.
With the No. 25 Minnesota Golden Gophers looming, it seems now that Missouri will be under even more pressure to move the ball than was previously the case. After all, Minnesota plays stout defense. And the Tigers have struggled at times to get their offense in sync.
Well, there’s been one gripe that we’ve had with this team all season– one that I personally have taken issue with. I’ve made it a part of my agenda this year to call for a change. So far that change hasn’t happened– at least not until later on in each of these game. We’ve waited and waited and waited for Missouri to stop being so adamantly committed to force feeding the passing game down our throats, when clearly the right move is to run the ball.
Take, for instance, in the Tennessee game, when Missouri passed the ball on its first 5 first down plays of the game.
Sep 20, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Russell Hansbrough (32) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Or the Arkansas game, where the Tigers dropped back to pass on the first 8 plays of the game.
Or the Texas A&M game, where the team attempted passes on 80 percent of its first half plays– and took with it a hearty six whole points into halftime.
What did each of these games have in common? At some point along the way (usually all the while, the broadcast’s announcers were saying “I don’t know why Missouri hasn’t started running the football yet.”), Mizzou figured it out. They put the ball into the hands of their ultra talented running backs, Marcus Murphy and Russell Hansbrough. And they used them to win the game.
The message here is clear.
Run the ball Missouri.
Without Hunt, Mizzou’s passing offense becomes significantly impacted. It’s amazing that the loss of one player could be so damaging, but now all the team has is a group of inexperienced players, a drop-prone tight end and sub-par offensive line play to c0mpliment star wide receiver Bud Sasser and quarterback Maty Mauk.
Run the ball Missouri.
Minnesota has a highly ranked defense– top 40 in overall defense and top 25 in adjusted statistics. They force you to be balanced in your attack.
Run the ball, Missouri.
Minnesota’s defense is highly ranked because of its defensive secondary and scary good pass rush.
Run the ball, Missouri.
Like Mizzou, Minnesota has struggled at times against strong running teams.
Run the ball, Missouri.
You have an SEC award winner in the back field playing in his last game as a Tiger. He’s scored a majority of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Run the ball. Run it the whole game. Be consistent. Be balanced. Of course, pass when necessary. Be smart. Use a game plan that’s designed– custom tailored– to the opponent.
South Bound & Down
These are things that I think Mizzou has struggled with this season. We are all happy with a 10-3 season. But five or six of those 10 wins were far closer than they needed to be. And at least two of those three losses could have been avoided, if MU had fully realized the types of game planning that was necessary.
For the Citrus Bowl, the Missouri Tigers must fire on all cylinders on offense. The defense will do its part to keep the rather mediocre Minnesota offense within reach. Even without Hunt, Missouri still has an opportunity to take advantage of the weaknesses and control this football game.
It just got a lot harder. I won’t be surprised if Vegas changes its previous feelings about this game. Regardless, Minnesota will come to play, and this figures to be a close game.
But… what do you do in a close game? Control the ball, keep the flow of the game in your hands. In other words…
Run the ball, Missouri.
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