milesl
10/12/2007, 10:48 PM
To win at Oklahoma, the Tigers need a heady, team effort
By JASON WHITLOCK
Chase Daniel, as good as he is, can’t beat Oklahoma by himself.
Missouri tried that last year. Remember? The Tigers fell behind 14-3 just seconds into the second quarter, and their offensive game plan turned into a desperate, one-man attack — Chase left, Chase right, Chase back to pass running for his life.
The game got away from the Tigers. Daniel got exhausted, lost confidence, tossed three interceptions, and the Tigers lost their swagger and composure.
On a day when Daniel threw or ran the ball on 64 of Missouri’s 73 offensive plays, Oklahoma won 26-10 and sent Missouri into a three-game tailspin that ended in an embarrassing Iowa State loss that Gary Pinkel refuses to acknowledge.
My point is that Daniel, the Big 12’s best player, is going to need some help this Saturday in Norman. Also, I’m pointing out that the Sooners are the kind of team that can beat you two or three times, especially when the game is being hyped as the “game of the year” or “game of the decade.”
Games such as the one we’re about to witness linger. If not handled properly, they can tear down confidence or build a deadly arrogance.
That’s why it will be important for Pinkel and his coaching staff to get everyone involved offensively while still putting the ball in Daniel’s hands enough times to win the game. It’s a difficult balancing act, one that the Tigers’ coaching staff mishandled during Brad Smith’s reign.
Tony Temple, if he’s healthy, and the running backs can’t be spectators on Saturday. It would be foolish to allow Bob Stoops and Brent Venables to zero in on Daniel. No matter what, the Sooners are going to get in their licks on Daniel. They’re going to be in his face and take every legal (and borderline illegal) opportunity to hit him.
Temple and Co. must provide Daniel with the threat of a running game. Missouri is going to need play-action passing to slow Oklahoma’s rush to Daniel.
Give Daniel time to throw, and there’s no doubt he has the personnel for MU to score 30-plus points on Oklahoma. Martin Rucker, Chase Coffman, Jeremy Maclin, William Franklin, Tommy Saunders and Danario Alexander can all make spectacular plays.
I’m equally convinced that if Daniel is under constant duress, he’ll throw high and the Sooners will pick him off.
Sustaining the momentum that the Tigers, 5-0, have built is more difficult than a typical fan can imagine. Coaches are fond of saying that “you haven’t arrived until you get there.”
It’s nice to be ranked No. 11 in the country, be in control of the Big 12 North and have a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback. But it doesn’t really mean anything until December and January. You can’t arrive in October. The party doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving.
Clobbering Nebraska was wonderful — an important step on the way to “arrival.” Competing against a legitimate, current powerhouse on the road is another crucial step for the Tigers.
Yes, I think the Tigers can win this game. For the first time in forever, they’ll take the field with as many offensive playmakers as the Sooners. But they’re probably going to have to win a shootout. Oklahoma is going to move the ball and score. Missouri’s defense is still suspect.
The Tigers’ best shot at slowing Oklahoma would be with an offensive attack that somewhat controls the ball. It’s hard to play track-meet football on the road without dropping the baton a few times. The crowd noise and enormity of the game will create a few nervous mistakes. The Sooners have played in more of these games than the Tigers. Mizzou, especially early, needs to slow it down.
It will be interesting to see how the Tigers handle a momentum swing, a big play on special teams. At least Maclin gives the Tigers a chance at matching Oklahoma in the return game.
OK, I’m not going to make a prediction — other than it’s difficult for me to imagine the Tigers getting blown out.
By JASON WHITLOCK
Chase Daniel, as good as he is, can’t beat Oklahoma by himself.
Missouri tried that last year. Remember? The Tigers fell behind 14-3 just seconds into the second quarter, and their offensive game plan turned into a desperate, one-man attack — Chase left, Chase right, Chase back to pass running for his life.
The game got away from the Tigers. Daniel got exhausted, lost confidence, tossed three interceptions, and the Tigers lost their swagger and composure.
On a day when Daniel threw or ran the ball on 64 of Missouri’s 73 offensive plays, Oklahoma won 26-10 and sent Missouri into a three-game tailspin that ended in an embarrassing Iowa State loss that Gary Pinkel refuses to acknowledge.
My point is that Daniel, the Big 12’s best player, is going to need some help this Saturday in Norman. Also, I’m pointing out that the Sooners are the kind of team that can beat you two or three times, especially when the game is being hyped as the “game of the year” or “game of the decade.”
Games such as the one we’re about to witness linger. If not handled properly, they can tear down confidence or build a deadly arrogance.
That’s why it will be important for Pinkel and his coaching staff to get everyone involved offensively while still putting the ball in Daniel’s hands enough times to win the game. It’s a difficult balancing act, one that the Tigers’ coaching staff mishandled during Brad Smith’s reign.
Tony Temple, if he’s healthy, and the running backs can’t be spectators on Saturday. It would be foolish to allow Bob Stoops and Brent Venables to zero in on Daniel. No matter what, the Sooners are going to get in their licks on Daniel. They’re going to be in his face and take every legal (and borderline illegal) opportunity to hit him.
Temple and Co. must provide Daniel with the threat of a running game. Missouri is going to need play-action passing to slow Oklahoma’s rush to Daniel.
Give Daniel time to throw, and there’s no doubt he has the personnel for MU to score 30-plus points on Oklahoma. Martin Rucker, Chase Coffman, Jeremy Maclin, William Franklin, Tommy Saunders and Danario Alexander can all make spectacular plays.
I’m equally convinced that if Daniel is under constant duress, he’ll throw high and the Sooners will pick him off.
Sustaining the momentum that the Tigers, 5-0, have built is more difficult than a typical fan can imagine. Coaches are fond of saying that “you haven’t arrived until you get there.”
It’s nice to be ranked No. 11 in the country, be in control of the Big 12 North and have a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback. But it doesn’t really mean anything until December and January. You can’t arrive in October. The party doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving.
Clobbering Nebraska was wonderful — an important step on the way to “arrival.” Competing against a legitimate, current powerhouse on the road is another crucial step for the Tigers.
Yes, I think the Tigers can win this game. For the first time in forever, they’ll take the field with as many offensive playmakers as the Sooners. But they’re probably going to have to win a shootout. Oklahoma is going to move the ball and score. Missouri’s defense is still suspect.
The Tigers’ best shot at slowing Oklahoma would be with an offensive attack that somewhat controls the ball. It’s hard to play track-meet football on the road without dropping the baton a few times. The crowd noise and enormity of the game will create a few nervous mistakes. The Sooners have played in more of these games than the Tigers. Mizzou, especially early, needs to slow it down.
It will be interesting to see how the Tigers handle a momentum swing, a big play on special teams. At least Maclin gives the Tigers a chance at matching Oklahoma in the return game.
OK, I’m not going to make a prediction — other than it’s difficult for me to imagine the Tigers getting blown out.