| 16 October 2009
I waited as long as I could to write this thing with Dez Bryant being out, then possibly good, then maybe out again. As of post time, he's still ineligible. And for the first time in a month, Mizzou plays on a Saturday. What is this 'Saturday' thing I speak of? Grab a seat and let Uncle Big Head tell you.
- Obviously, the big news is no Bryant. The guy simply torched our asses last year. This is a huge plus for Mizzou. A beat up Kendall Hunter? Also a plus for Mizzou. He burned the entire B12 last year. A healthy and very good Keith Toston? Not so good. This guy is wrecking the B12 so far, and could probably start for 10 of the 12 teams in the conference. How in the hell is this guy a backup? No word if Hunter will play, nor how much. He injured his ankle (sprain) a few weeks ago, and those things really never heal during the season. Expect to see both Hunter and Toston though.
- Mizzou has revenge on the mind. After losing an ugly game last week against Nebraska, and an ugly showing last year against Okie State at home, the Tigers are pissed. Blaine Gabbert is tired of hearing the bullshit of pulling him. DWash is tired of being asked why he isn't having a great season like he did in '08. Gary Pinkel has to be tired of hearing the lamest of lame "Being Pinkel'd" crap. Big game for the Tigers, and this team can pull this off.
- Remember last year? Mizzou pissed chance after chance away. 28-23. I got piss drunk, cussed a lot, scared my new puppy (now all grown up), and the girlfriend was not happy. Well, this usually happens every Saturday, but this one was extra bad due to a loss.
- Oklahoma State '09 is a lot like Mizzou '08. Highly rated preseason, a lot of star players back, and can throw points on the board at will. The main thing is, they are a lot like the Subway's Buffalo Chicken sub- they just haven't lived up to the hype...yet.
- The Pokes can and will run the ball. Zac Robinson is a solid QB with great feet. Throw in Keith Toston and/or Kendall Hunter, and the Pokes are moving. They are averaging just under 200yds RUSHING per game! Stopping the run will be key for the Tigers, and Mizzou is pretty much middle of the pack in-conference at doing just that. They did stop Roy Helu last week, who is a bit better of a back than Toston, but it will be a huge test. Of course, last week was a monsoon of epic proportions. Expect a lot of men in the box to sell out vs the run. Is this where Will Ebner will be missed? Andrew Gachkar has looked solid, and let's hope Luke Lambert holds himself together. Lambert has always been good, but injured too.
- Please cover Hubert Anyiam. He is Robinson's target this year minus Dez Bryant. Oh, and no fuck-ups by the backup secondary, please. Actually, if you don't know the coverage, don't go in the game. Please. I asked kindly.
- Blaine Gabbert can't make mistakes. Last week was the definition of what'll happen when you eff up. Two late picks (disregard the fumble) totally screwed the Tigers. Wasn't totally his fault, but anyone could count the half dozen passes that could have been picked. Better decision making by Blaine automatically gets the Tigers in this game. Expect better from him. He is pissed. And Okie State's passing D is terrible (10th in the B12).
- Now, for the good news- Okie State's defense is worse than the Tigers. Sounding more like the '08 Tigers again? Great O, porous (to be kind) D. The Pokes are giving up an average of 358yds a game in total offense. They've played offensive powerhouses Texas A&M, Gawwwgia, Houston (ok, that one's good), and Rice. Throw in a Grambling win as well. Mizzou will be able to move the ball.
- The OLine won't have it's hands full as much as it did last week. The Pokes don't have a huge pass rusher. In fact, if you thought the Tigers had zero pass rush, the Pokes are right there.
- This will be a break out game for DaNario, Wes Kemp, and Jared Perry if they're ever going to have one. This has the makings of 'You can't cover us'. Again, Okie State's passing D is bad. Real bad. Throw those three together, and maybe some Andrew Jones targets, and we're rolling. How about DWash breaking out in the pass game? Anything can happen in this one.
So it comes down to two things: How well do the Tigers stop the run, and on the offensive side, how well do they throw the ball? This game is highly winnable. The Tigers D played well against the run last week. The Pokes looked bad against ATM in College Station last week before pulling away late, and every FBS team they've played in Stillwater has been in the game. They struggled against Georgia, who hasn't been good this year, as well as an 0-6 Rice team, and 4-1 Houston, all at home. Mizzou is better than those three teams, and is the best team the Pokes have played all year. Victory Whiskey will be poured, and the Tigers roll 38-28. Revenge is best served cold. Speaking of cold, it's going to be about 50 degrees and clear skies.
If you're heading to Stillwater, hit a golf course or three. It's one of my favorite B12 cities for this fact alone. The golf there is amazing.
For linkage: Rock M Nation will have a live thread going for you to cuss in text mode, you can watch an internet feed HERE, listen HERE, and I'll be cussing at the TV in Hotlanta. Bears/Falcons. Sunday Night Football. Hell yeah. Bear Down mofos.
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