For a better look at Missouri, Pokes Pride turned to one of a fellow blogosphere Rock M Nation. Here's what Rock M Nation had to say about the Tigers and how they matchup with Cowboys this weekend. To see the questions RMN asked us, follow this link.
PP: Just exactly how good is this Missouri team? Where do you thing Chase Daniel stands among the other elite quarterbacks in the nation?
RMN: This is, most would agree, the greatest team Missouri has ever fielded. Then again, that statement may not be saying that much. This team is one of the nation's elite, and I won't have the argument that there is a better offense in college football. There simply isn't. As for Daniel, if you gave me the option to trade him out for any quarterback in the country, I wouldn't do it and I wouldn't think twice about it. Gary Pinkel loves to drop the phrase "Battlefield Commander" when talking about Chase, and it absolutely applies. So far this year, when he's been on the field, he's had complete control. Right now, the Heisman is his to lose.
PP: Obviously, Daniel, Maclin, Coffman and Washington are all studs, so what is the key to slowing down the Tigers offense? From what you’ve seen so far, are the Pokes capable of slowing them down?
RMN: Everyone knows the big names, which is why defensive coordinators are having to pick their poison. You want to take away Maclin? OK, we'll throw to Coffman 12 times. You try to take away Coffman? Saunders and Perry will combine for 125 yards. You drop eight or nine back to take away the pass? Washington will gash you for 130 up the gut.
There is one formula for success slowing Mizzou, and one formula only. Opponents HAVE to be able to pressure Daniel with four men. If you sit guys in a zone, Chase will pick you apart. If you play man, Mizzou's receivers will out-run or out-size you. If you send the blitz, Daniel will exploit it. You HAVE to get pressure with the D-Line only, or defenses stand no shot.
The other only chance teams have is for Mizzou to turn the ball over. Mizzou has played turnover-free ball in three of its five games, and still put up totals of 52 and 42 points in the games where they did turn the ball over. As for the Pokes ability to stop Mizzou? I doubt it, but that's no shot at the Pokes. This offense is ridiculous enough that it's getting to a point where you could line them up against any defense in the country and the edge would likely go to Mizzou.
PP: How good did it feel to watch Mizzou open up a can on Nebraska in Lincoln?
RMN: It wasn't quite the same elation of seeing Kansas' Todd Reesing come up with a chunk of the Arrowhead Stadium turf in his helmet after the game-clinching safety, but more than anything, it was just refreshing. Mizzou fans, players and coaches were sick and tired of hearing about Mizzou's inability to win in Lincoln since 1978. As Mizzou YouTube video man ZouDave put it, "We're not here to repeat history. We're here to make it." Coupled with some of the more obnoxious habits of Husker fans ("Nebraska will win - the way God intended it," "Mizzou will always Mizzou," etc.), it was satisfying to watch the Sea of Red turn into a Stream of Red toward the exits. Hearing the "M-I-Z, Z-O-U" chant on TV across a dead silent Memorial Stadium is one of the year's highlights already.
PP: What will the Tigers do to try and slow down the Pokes’ offense? Will this game live up to the hype of being an offensive ‘shootout’ or ‘face-off’?
RMN: I've yet to hear anything out of Pinkel or DC Matt Eberflus as to the specifics, but I assume the "bend and don't break" will be in effect. Mizzou will play to its defensive strength right now and try to stop the run, playing off the outstanding years that linebackers Sean Weatherspoon and Brock Christopher are having. Hopefully, the Mizzou D-Line, linebackers, and safety William Moore can slow down OSU's dangerous rushing attack and make the Pokes one-dimensional.
The Tigers have given up a fair amount of yardage through the air so far in 2008, but they've started to buckle down once teams start to threaten. I'd expect the Cowboys to be able to get inside Mizzou territory, but once the field shortens and Oklahoma State is forced to run, the momentum should slow. At this point, Mizzou seems somewhat content to let teams have their yardage as long as they're keeping points off the board. And, really, isn't that what it's all about? It's not like Mizzou needs to possess the ball for long to put up points.
PP: From an opposing viewpoint, how would you rate Oklahoma State? Are they legit contenders in the Big XII?
RMN: A large segment of Mizzou fans are scared about this game because of the strength of the Cowboy offense and because it is smack dab in the middle of two of the most important games of the season (road games at Nebraska and at Texas). Oklahoma State is a very dangerous team, and appears to be the fourth or fifth best team in the conference. If the Pokes were in the North, I think they'd be an easy second. But this is yet another bad year to be in the Big 12 South. Any schedule involving a stacked Oklahoma team, an under-appreciated Texas team, and a lethal Texas Tech team means I have to question their chances for a conference title. But that doesn't mean I don't think the Cowboys are legit. Georgia was legit last year and they didn't even play for a conference title. (Disclaimer: I did NOT just compare the 2008 Cowboys to the 2007 Bulldogs)
PP: Finish the following phrases:
RMN:
Mizzou will win if....It protects the football and gets a couple of stops on defense
Oklahoma State will win if.... Mizzou turns the ball over several times and Oklahoma State is able to capitalize on every MU mistake en route to putting up a minimum of 40 points.
PP: Finally, give us your prediction for Saturday night's game.
RMN: My early prediction right now is 45-27, Mizzou.
PP: *BONUS* As you said, Erin Andrews will be the sideline reporter for the game on Saturday. Would you rather it be Stacey Dales?
RMN: More than anything, I like to joke about the amount of blog coverage devoted to Erin Andrews. That poor woman must hate logging on every day. Given Andrews vs. Dales though, I'm taking Andrews.
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