MISSOURI VS. NAVY
It's almost crunch time for the Missouri Tigers. Kickoff in the Texas Bowl against Navy is set for 2:30 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.
The Midshipmen present a unique challenge for Mizzou. Coach Ken Niumatalolo's forces run a triple option, relying on quarterback Ricky Dobbs' ability to read the defense and to make good decisions with the ball. His first option is to the fullback and either of the Middies' there are explosive up the middle. Dobbs' second read is to pick up how the defense contains at the edge. If the defense overplays the halfback, the athletic QB can cut into the tackle hole. A strong runner, Dobbs often cuts back against the defensive flow to pick up good yardage. His third option comes if the linebackers crash down, allowing him to lateral to the outside. Missouri has had almost a month to scheme against Navy's offense; and I think one key to the game will be for MU defenders to play sound assignment football. I look for the Tigers to play a basic 7-man front and a zone in the secondary. Although Navy doesn't pass much, Dobbs can throw the ball and will take advantage of a secondary that starts to overplay the run. He fakes the fullback dive, takes a quick drop and goes up top. That ploy worked against Ohio State in a game Navy almost rallied to win and again against Army in the second half to break open a close game.
Another key to a Tiger victory will be the ability of the offense to control the clock. Look for Mizzou to try to establish its running game early. While the MU ground game has been inconsistent for most of the year, the offensive line has had some success opening holes for running backs Derrick Washington and De'Vion Moore in the 4-game winning streak that ended the season. Two years ago in the Cotton Bowl, Chase Daniel took a pass-oriented team against Arkansas; but Tony Temple ran the Razorbacks silly, racking up 275 yards on the ground to set a Cotton Bowl record. Don't expect that on Thursday; but a solid running attack could give MU's big eaters, all of who tip the scales around 300 pounds, an advantage against the relatively small Navy defensive front, that averages 262 pounds. Any success running the ball will also open things up for Blaine Gabbert and his receivers, led by All-American Danario Alexander, for my money the best receiver in the country. Jared Perry, second on the team in receptions, has been cleared to play after suffering a fractured tibia in the 10th game at Kansas State.
In his eight years at Missouri, Coach Gary Pinkel has led the Tigers to six bowl games. He stands at 4-2 in post season play while at the helm in Columbia. After winning the Big 12 North the previous two seasons, Mizzou slipped to 8-4 this year, finishing second in the division to Nebraska.
Missouri last met the USNA in the 1961 Orange Bowl, winning 21-14. Deprived of a shot at the national title after losing to Kansas in the 1960 season finale, Dan Devine's crew put on a defensive clinic on New Year's Day in Miami, holding Joe Bellino, Navy's Heisman Trophy winner, to four yards rushing for the game. President-elect John F. Kennedy was in the crowd that day.
If the game is close, MU's Grant Ressel could prove to be the difference. Ressel, selected by coaches to 1st Team All Big 12, hit 24 of 25 field goals this year, including the last-second game winner against Kansas. The sophomore's only miss came from 40+ yards at the end of the first half in a driving rainstorm against Nebraska. A Groza Award finalist, he was a perfect 38 for 38 on extra point tries. Jake Harry IV has been one of the country's best punters, averaging 42.7 yards per kick, and he often pins opponents deep with his kicks. Mizzou's kick coverage team has been a weak spot, and Pinkel's charges need to improve that facet of the special teams play.
Navy, too, has a solid kicking game; and the Middies are the least penalized team in the country. Don't expect them to beat themselves.
Due to time constraints, further in-depth analysis is not possible.
Missouri goes into the game as 6-1/2 point favorites. If the Tigers can play fundamentally sound defense and control the ball on offense, they should win (and cover) what I see as one of the most interesting bowl matchups this year.
The Real Don Steele
12/30/09
No comments:
Post a Comment