Originally, I didn't think I'd look at this tape because Will Grier the Florida QB has been suspended for the season. So, anything we see here is going to be way different than the game against LSU which I plan on reviewing. However, I haven't done much for Mizzou this year, so I figured I'd take a look at their young freshman QB, and their overall defensive structure. Sorry Florida fans, but I'll get to you next week when you play LSU.
Let's begin with the stuff most people want to hear about, the Missouri QB Drew Lock. He's a true freshman who was pressed into service by coach Gary Pinkel because his veteran QB Maty Mauk decided to break some rules. What rules I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that Gary was sick enough of Maty to let a true freshman play QB, so I'm guessing Maty got drunk and tried to violate one of his houseplants or something.
Anyway, Drew Lock's main attraction is that he's got a great arm. At times during the broadcast Jesse Palmer was giving him high praise as having an NFL-style cannon. I'm not sure it's THAT good, but he can certainly air it out. And that's both a blessing and a curse. Because he's a true freshman, he doesn't have all the touch accuracy that you'd expect from a true starting college QB, and that led him to have several overthrows in this game. That would be the tendency when you're a gunslinger because you know you're not going to short-hop any receivers. As Lock learns to control the cannon, he'll find it easier to put those throws on the money.
The other thing about Lock is that he looks like he's 12. You see him in the helmet and you think he's going to sell you chocolate bars for the band. And his youth really worked against him in another way in this game, because Florida's pass rush is relentless. One way to really disrupt a young passer is to get him off his spot in the pocket. I admire how Lock naturally moves and keeps his eyes downfield, but he's nowhere near experienced enough yet to make the throw on the run with consistency. That will come with time, but probably not during this season. However, if he's facing a team that doesn't move him? Like South Carolina for example? He looks like a world-beater making dink and dunk passes as will. It's death by 1000 cuts, and with the defense that Missouri has, paper cuts could be enough.
In essence, Lock is young. But the Missouri defense is not. And they are fierce. They spotted Florida 14 points very early on incredibly stupid personal foul penalties for a late hit and a face mask that kept drives alive. If they don't take those? I think the game likely goes to the half tied 3-3. The other Florida TD was on a pick 6, and that was the final score 21-3. To put it another way, after going down 14-3 in the first 10 minutes of the game, the Missouri defense allowed absolutely no offensive scores for the rest of the game. 50 minutes of pure defensive shutout. And that's not abnormal, as they lead the SEC in defensive points allowed. Ahead of even LSU and Alabama.
But why is the defense so good? Mainly because they trust the secondary, their entirely lineman are huge, and they have speed on the edges. And by trust their secondary, I mean they will press up on the line against receivers and take away the quick throws. Plus, and here's a big key, they can actually TACKLE. That sounds stupid, but if you're an SEC fan of a bad defense, you know exactly how huge that is with college players. Making one-on-one tackles, playing contain until you get some help, and having your secondary get involved in run defense? Those are hallmarks of this Missouri team, and they all showed up in the game against Florida.
A few defensive players made me stand up and take notice in this game, the first of which was #97 Josh Augusta. The dude is absolute enormous in the middle and a huge help as a space-eater and in run defense. He's 6'4" and listed at 335 pounds. I'm not sure I believe he's less than 350 just looking at him. Next is #91 DE Charles Harris, who had a sack in the game and 6 tackles. He's 6'2" and 255 pounds with good speed and agility. Harris has the ability to shed blocks with straight ahead moves, or in the case of his sack a very impressive inside spin-move. The last guy was #11 Aarion Penton, their best DB in my mind. He was involved everywhere, making tackles in the run game, breaking up passes, and making tackles on the edge, even blitzing at times.
But if the defense is this good, why are they losing games? Because the offense is a youthful looking train wreck. While Lock is learning his craft at QB, he's unfortunately saddled with several WR's who are just as young and learning their way. Talented? Sure. But talent doesn't help you figure out how to run the best routes. That comes from experience and coaching, both of which Gary Pinkel hasn't had the time yet to drill into this receiving core. They have size, all over 6'2", but most of their moves are straight ahead, relying on their body position to make plays. That works in high school. It doesn't work in college against teams with a pulse. Their best receiver is probably #2 Nate Brown with 4 TDs and 200+ yards on the season, but he's just a first year starting sophomore that had only one catch all day against this Florida defense. Against any and all secondaries with real talent, expect these guys to struggle.
The running game isn't much better. #21 Ish Witter is their main runningback, and Florida absolutely shut him down. Frankly, I wasn't impressed with the kid at all. Again, he's a starting sophomore with no real experience, but that doesn't usually stop runningbacks from showing something on film. The guy that DID show me something was #32 Russell Hansbrough. I'd be giving that guy more carries going forward if I'm running the show at Missouri. He's quick, hits the hole well, and managed to find several open spaces against a tough Florida run defense. He had a 26 yard run as his long in the game, and he averaged over 8 yards a carry. Yet, he only had 9 touches in the game for reasons unknown to me.
Overall, the main takeaway I have with Missouri is that the defense looks seasoned, tough, and ready to rumble. The offense looks the exact opposite: young, weak, and easily put off the field. If you're playing Missouri, you want to play them now rather than later, because every game Lock and these receivers put under their belt is going to make them better. I wouldn't be shocked if they get to a bowl game that Missouri finally puts it together and starts scoring some points.
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