Five things to watch when Mizzou plays at South Carolina (2:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS):
1. NO PAIN, NO GAIN
Both projected quarterback starters are contending with shoulder injuries. South Carolina's Connor Shaw was knocked out of last week's game against Alabama-Birmingham, and MU's James Franklin sat out against Arizona State after declining a cortisone shot that likely would have enabled him to play. Franklin explained Monday that he doesn't believe in masking pain, and coach Gary Pinkel backed away from insinuations that came with him saying Franklin “didn't want to play” by extolling his toughness ... but some yet will question it. And South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has introduced the notion a bit himself, saying of Shaw: “If he can play through a little pain, he'll be OK.”
2. AIR APPARENT
South Carolina is giving up an average of 53 yards a game on the ground, sixth-stingiest in the nation; Mizzou is averaging 163 yards rushing. Even with senior Jack Meiners returning at right tackle to replenish an injury-depleted offensive line, the Tigers will be hard-pressed to hit their average against the defense led by defensive ends Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. But they'll need to blaze enough trails to not be forced to pass and enable the Gamecocks uncork a frenzied pass rush that's accounted for 12 sacks this season already.
3. DEFENSE MECHANISM
Mizzou's defensive numbers are mediocre. The Tigers are allowing 23.67 points a game, tied for 64th in the nation, and MU has been outscored 30-0 in its last two fourth quarters. But the numbers also are misleading. Georgia's two fourth-quarter touchdowns came after turnovers inside the MU 5-yard line, and led by safety Kenronte Walker the unit made not one but two late goal-line stands to fend off Arizona State 24-20 last week. Still, Mizzou's D likely will have to play its best game of the season to stop a balanced offense (262 yards a game passing, 172 rushing) led by Shaw and junior tailback Marcus Lattimore, who has a school-record 34 touchdowns and nine career 100-yard games.
4. ROAD WARRIORS … OR ROAD WORRIERS?
Without much recent road success, Mizzou is venturing out for the first time this season for its first league game as a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers are 3-6 in true road games the last two seasons and will be seeking their first true road win over a top 10 team since 1981. All at Williams-Brice Stadium, where more than 80,000 fans will make it one of the loudest venues in the nation. MU wasn't physically outmatched in its first SEC game against Georgia but collapsed late because of major mistakes. Can the Tigers maintain their poise in this setting?
5. KICKS KEEP GETTING HARDER TO FIND
In part because of snap issues, Mizzou redshirt freshman kicker Andrew Baggett has struggled, making just three of seven overall and missing his last three against Arizona State. Meanwhile, the Ol' Ball Coach at South Carolina still doesn't care much for the silly three-pointers. The Gamecocks have attempted just two and made one this season. “Usually when we kick a lot of field goals, something would happen and we'd get beat. … I'd rather go for a touchdown and miss … than (to kick) two field goals.” Will MU shore it up this week? Will Spurrier settle for some treys? Will it be close enough to matter?
PREDICTION
The Tigers hover tight, but the Gamecocks grind out the win. South Carolina 21, Missouri 14
link: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/tiger-tracker/mizzou-south-carolina-things-to-watch-and-prediction/article_617e44ee-0405-11e2-aba3-0019bb30f31a.html
1. NO PAIN, NO GAIN
Both projected quarterback starters are contending with shoulder injuries. South Carolina's Connor Shaw was knocked out of last week's game against Alabama-Birmingham, and MU's James Franklin sat out against Arizona State after declining a cortisone shot that likely would have enabled him to play. Franklin explained Monday that he doesn't believe in masking pain, and coach Gary Pinkel backed away from insinuations that came with him saying Franklin “didn't want to play” by extolling his toughness ... but some yet will question it. And South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has introduced the notion a bit himself, saying of Shaw: “If he can play through a little pain, he'll be OK.”
2. AIR APPARENT
South Carolina is giving up an average of 53 yards a game on the ground, sixth-stingiest in the nation; Mizzou is averaging 163 yards rushing. Even with senior Jack Meiners returning at right tackle to replenish an injury-depleted offensive line, the Tigers will be hard-pressed to hit their average against the defense led by defensive ends Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. But they'll need to blaze enough trails to not be forced to pass and enable the Gamecocks uncork a frenzied pass rush that's accounted for 12 sacks this season already.
3. DEFENSE MECHANISM
Mizzou's defensive numbers are mediocre. The Tigers are allowing 23.67 points a game, tied for 64th in the nation, and MU has been outscored 30-0 in its last two fourth quarters. But the numbers also are misleading. Georgia's two fourth-quarter touchdowns came after turnovers inside the MU 5-yard line, and led by safety Kenronte Walker the unit made not one but two late goal-line stands to fend off Arizona State 24-20 last week. Still, Mizzou's D likely will have to play its best game of the season to stop a balanced offense (262 yards a game passing, 172 rushing) led by Shaw and junior tailback Marcus Lattimore, who has a school-record 34 touchdowns and nine career 100-yard games.
4. ROAD WARRIORS … OR ROAD WORRIERS?
Without much recent road success, Mizzou is venturing out for the first time this season for its first league game as a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers are 3-6 in true road games the last two seasons and will be seeking their first true road win over a top 10 team since 1981. All at Williams-Brice Stadium, where more than 80,000 fans will make it one of the loudest venues in the nation. MU wasn't physically outmatched in its first SEC game against Georgia but collapsed late because of major mistakes. Can the Tigers maintain their poise in this setting?
5. KICKS KEEP GETTING HARDER TO FIND
In part because of snap issues, Mizzou redshirt freshman kicker Andrew Baggett has struggled, making just three of seven overall and missing his last three against Arizona State. Meanwhile, the Ol' Ball Coach at South Carolina still doesn't care much for the silly three-pointers. The Gamecocks have attempted just two and made one this season. “Usually when we kick a lot of field goals, something would happen and we'd get beat. … I'd rather go for a touchdown and miss … than (to kick) two field goals.” Will MU shore it up this week? Will Spurrier settle for some treys? Will it be close enough to matter?
PREDICTION
The Tigers hover tight, but the Gamecocks grind out the win. South Carolina 21, Missouri 14
link: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/tiger-tracker/mizzou-south-carolina-things-to-watch-and-prediction/article_617e44ee-0405-11e2-aba3-0019bb30f31a.html