Truman's Tales
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Missouri Tigers will not upset, but may inconvenience Auburn

By Eric Quackenbush

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers watches from the sidelines during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Barry Odom of the Missouri Tigers watches from the sidelines during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Missouri may not upset Auburn today, but if the Tigers correct some glaring mistakes and compensate for other shortcomings, could at least make this a game.

Ordinarily, I would bring you keys to a Tigers’ victory today, but in order for Missouri to even be mentioned in the same line with Auburn in an upset, the Tigers would have to play at least 60% better on defense.

On paper, Missouri’s offense could give Auburn’s defense a hard time, but that would mean the receivers would have to catch passes, not get stripped of touchdowns, and quarterback Drew Lock would have to improve his defensive reads and not telegraph passes.

From a coaching perspective, if offensive coordinator Josh Heupel would allow Lock a little more freedom to audible and make deeper passes, then maybe that would force Auburn to respect the Tigers’ passing game and give the running game more opportunities.

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Unfortunately, just like a zebra can’t change its stripes, I don’t think this coaching staff has enough moxy to change-up its play calling to give the Tigers a chance to even breathe a win, let alone be competitive.

However, I’ll play the devil’s advocate, and give Missouri at least a chance of giving Auburn a fight in this evening’s game. After all, Auburn escaped with a win last week over Mercer.

Next: Previewing Auburn vs. Mizzou

There are many ways the Tigers could challenge Aubrun, but my take is simple: In order for Missouri to inconvenience Auburn, the Tigers have to be less predictable on offense, and pressure Auburn’s offense. If the Tigers can stretch the field in the passing game, it will at least make Auburn respect Mizzou’s running game.

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