HUSKERS VS. MIZZOU.........THE BREAKDOWN
Greetings from water-logged central Missouri. It has rained here since 10 PM last night. We've received over 3" of rain but 90 miles north of here in Columbia, they've gotten over 4" & it's still raining. The newest Columbia forecast, which is 11 minutes old, calls for the rain to stop by 7 PM with some occasional drizzle the rest of the evening with a game time temperature of 52.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported in yesterday's edition that starting tailback Roy Helu Jr. #10, was suffering from the flu & missed practice on Tuesday. He missed the run thru yesterday but traveled to Columbia & is expected to start. The drop off from Helu, who is the leading rusher in the Big-12, in the running back pool is big, the Huskers hope he's recovered & not in a weakened state. Center Jacob Hickman & tight end Ben Cotton both missed practices this week with academic issues. Both are expected to play tonight. Mizzou reports no injuries.
Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert, #11, was an early commitment as a high school junior to Nebraska. During his senior year, he changed his mind & signed with Missouri. There's some bad blood there even tho current Nebraska coach, Bo Pelini, was at LSU during this time. Pelini has rebuilt the once-powerful Nebraska program in just 2 seasons. They're not back to where they were in the Tom Osborne days, but I think they're within 2 years of being really close. He is an excellent coach. So is Missouri's Gary Pinkel, he has steadily built the Tiger program & they face a huge test the next three weeks with Nebraska, Oklahoma State & Texas. The 2-time defending North Division champs have a chance to repeat, but a victory in tonight's game is a must & it won't be easy.
Nebraska has the most dominant defensive tackle in the country in Ndamakong Suh, #93. He gets a push up the middle collapsing the pocket & he can plug 2 gaps in the running game. Plus he has a non-stop motor. His linemate Jared Crick, #94, feeds off Suh & exploits things when the offenses' attention is diverted. The Mizzou players on defense to watch are OLB Sean Weatherspoon, #12, an All-American & future 1st round draft pick. Aldon Smith, #85, a red-shirt freshman from Raytown High School is also a playmaker. Wide receiver Denario Alexander, #81, a 6-5 speedster is the main man in the passing game.Derrick Washington, #24, is the Tigers' leading rusher. The Tigers have had two kickers that simply don't miss the last three years with Jeff Wolfert & now, Tanner Mills, who hasn't missed a PAT or FG this season.
The Huskers haven't won in Columbia since 2001. They haven't beaten a ranked opponent on the road in their last 7 chances & have lost 14 of their last 15. The Tigers won in Lincoln last year, 52-17. To me this game boils down to 2 things, if Nebraska can run for over 150 yards & hold MIzzou under 100 yards on the ground, they win. But we've got a wet field, with a wet ball, so turnovers could have a major impact on the outcome of this contest. Can Gabbert, who hasn't thrown an interception this season, stand out on the big stage of playing a ranked team on national television? Can the Huskers play well enough to beat an undefeated ranked team on the road? No wagers here, I'm going to be stressed enough without it even tho the +3 1/2 for Mizzou looks good. I certainly qualify as a "homer" so don't be shocked when I say Missouri 23 Nebraska 21.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported in yesterday's edition that starting tailback Roy Helu Jr. #10, was suffering from the flu & missed practice on Tuesday. He missed the run thru yesterday but traveled to Columbia & is expected to start. The drop off from Helu, who is the leading rusher in the Big-12, in the running back pool is big, the Huskers hope he's recovered & not in a weakened state. Center Jacob Hickman & tight end Ben Cotton both missed practices this week with academic issues. Both are expected to play tonight. Mizzou reports no injuries.
Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert, #11, was an early commitment as a high school junior to Nebraska. During his senior year, he changed his mind & signed with Missouri. There's some bad blood there even tho current Nebraska coach, Bo Pelini, was at LSU during this time. Pelini has rebuilt the once-powerful Nebraska program in just 2 seasons. They're not back to where they were in the Tom Osborne days, but I think they're within 2 years of being really close. He is an excellent coach. So is Missouri's Gary Pinkel, he has steadily built the Tiger program & they face a huge test the next three weeks with Nebraska, Oklahoma State & Texas. The 2-time defending North Division champs have a chance to repeat, but a victory in tonight's game is a must & it won't be easy.
Nebraska has the most dominant defensive tackle in the country in Ndamakong Suh, #93. He gets a push up the middle collapsing the pocket & he can plug 2 gaps in the running game. Plus he has a non-stop motor. His linemate Jared Crick, #94, feeds off Suh & exploits things when the offenses' attention is diverted. The Mizzou players on defense to watch are OLB Sean Weatherspoon, #12, an All-American & future 1st round draft pick. Aldon Smith, #85, a red-shirt freshman from Raytown High School is also a playmaker. Wide receiver Denario Alexander, #81, a 6-5 speedster is the main man in the passing game.Derrick Washington, #24, is the Tigers' leading rusher. The Tigers have had two kickers that simply don't miss the last three years with Jeff Wolfert & now, Tanner Mills, who hasn't missed a PAT or FG this season.
The Huskers haven't won in Columbia since 2001. They haven't beaten a ranked opponent on the road in their last 7 chances & have lost 14 of their last 15. The Tigers won in Lincoln last year, 52-17. To me this game boils down to 2 things, if Nebraska can run for over 150 yards & hold MIzzou under 100 yards on the ground, they win. But we've got a wet field, with a wet ball, so turnovers could have a major impact on the outcome of this contest. Can Gabbert, who hasn't thrown an interception this season, stand out on the big stage of playing a ranked team on national television? Can the Huskers play well enough to beat an undefeated ranked team on the road? No wagers here, I'm going to be stressed enough without it even tho the +3 1/2 for Mizzou looks good. I certainly qualify as a "homer" so don't be shocked when I say Missouri 23 Nebraska 21.
Comments