1. Biggest question mark or concern going into this game is obviously the secondary as they will be without their leader and it doesn't look like Akeem Auguste will be quite ready to return. The Missouri offense is an interesting one to say the least. It is kind of like what the ECU Pirates do but it kind of isn't. Not sure how much of them you have watched but the first couple of things you are probably going to notice is the QB stands a yard or two deeper in the shotgun. I also believe, and I'm not 100% sure, but I think they play with wide splits along the offensive line. The next thing you'll notice is the QB doesn't really take a drop. It is literally a catch, pivot, and throw. Like most spread teams they can dink & dunk, the QB is a threat to run, and they'll hit their big play down the seam.
I think USC's #1 goal is obviously to make these guys one dimensional. Kendall Lawrence is a nifty little running back and he is capable of tearing off some big runs but USC has been pretty strong with the run D and I think they'll do a good job of keeping him in check. It doesn't look like he has been too much of a threat in the passing game. And not only is James Franklin (their likely starting QB) a passing threat, but he made a good living running the football last year and he must be accounted for.
The story of the game will be can USC get enough heat on whoever Missouri plays at QB, and get them "off their spot" or at least have them hold onto the ball longer than they want and throw the timing off. Most spread offenses are rhythm passing so if you are able to cause some frustration early, it is relatively easy or manageable to get a handle on them. The danger is if the QB gets into a zone and they get that rapid fire play going, it is lights out.
USC must continue to be strong in run defense and limit the big play. I think Missouri will get theirs in the passing game between the 20's but we have to hold serve in the redzone. TJ Moe is the guy to be concerned about. He seems to be their Mr. Reliable and usually delivers a big play when they need one. He is just the definition of a football player. Marcus Lucas is probably the darkhorse to keep an eye on. He stands at 6'5 and looks to be around 10 yards per grab. When Lucas and Green-Beckham (former #1 player in the country) get on the field, there are going to be some significant size mismatches we will have to face. L'Damian Washington is their 3rd leading receiver and he is 6'4. So we could be looking at some sets where Lucas, Green-Beckham, and Washington are all out there at the same time with TJ Moe running rampant over the middle.
So basically it comes down to this. The front 4 has to play probably their best game to date. Clowney, Taylor, and Quarles need to be big time on national TV. If the secondary can bend but not break, I think we will be OK. Whammy has done a pretty good job so far and I think he'll make the adjustments as the game goes on but its going to be a challenge for him and his staff. Probably going to see a lot of TJ Gurley and Ahmad Christian, both freshmen, out there because of the type of sets Missouri uses so we have to hope they are up to speed.
2. Offensively, its really a big mystery on how USC is going to attack. I don't think there is any way that Spurrier and his staff ultimately want to get into a shootout with these guys. But with that being said, I doubt they want to be super conservative either. It really depends on how much Connor Shaw can do out there. I've said my peace on how I feel about the entire situation so I'm hoping for the best. If Spurrier says that Connor is throwing it around just fine this week, then let him get out there and make something happen. There is no way that the offensive line is going to keep his jersey clean and Missouri will be going for the kill shot every time they get the opportunity so it is imperative that Connor take his drop, get the ball out, and attempt to protect himself. Hopefully when he does run he is able to avoid the big hit.
I think this could be setting up to be one of those games where Spurrier just rides Lattimore as far as he can take us. There couldn't be a better opportunity for him to show the country that he is back. But again we have to have some sort of a downfield passing attack to help him out. I think we have to try to get him going in the passing game too. Not many screens or wheel routes have been called so far this season.
I look for the offense to open it up a little bit more in terms of some more creative sets and imagination. I look for Bruce Ellington to keep his strong play going and I do think this is a week where Shaq Roland can a bigger splash provided he finally gets in when the game is in question. It could also be a week where Jerell Adams and Buster Anderson get going. Its frustrating seeing Buster disappear one week and show up the next. A lot of that probably has to do with playcalling but we can't have him be Where's Waldo this weekend.
It comes down to the QB play. If Connor can play his game then we'll be alright. If not, hopefully Dylan Thompson is ready to go in the bullpen.
3. This is a really big game. I'd even call it a must win. The gauntlet is coming up and if we have any hopes of winning the East we have to win this game and at minimum split the month of October. The defense is playing very well, the offense has shown flashes that it can be extremely potent, and the home schedule will help too. We are at a crossroads on offense, IMO, and there are only two ways to go. It is either going to blast off or it'll go back to what it has been since last year. Not that last year's offense was necessarily a bad product but Spurrier has been in this situation many times before and it seems like the offense regresses each time so hopefully he can push the right buttons with this unit and get them to the championship level.
So hopefully this is the game Connor Shaw can silence the fans, hopefully the tight ends finally get some spotlight, hopefully Damiere Byrd makes another big play down the field, hopefully the offensive line finds some stability, hopefully the front 4 play like future NFLers, hopefully the young secondary limits the coverage busts, and finally .. hopefully if this game comes down to Special Teams whether it is kick coverage or a game winning field goal, Joe Robinson's unit delivers. A lot of question marks that will be answered this weekend and we should have a better picture of how good this football team can be the rest of the season. The rust should be wearing off and the gameplan should be broadening. We are about to see what we really have and I am cautiously optimistic.
I think USC's #1 goal is obviously to make these guys one dimensional. Kendall Lawrence is a nifty little running back and he is capable of tearing off some big runs but USC has been pretty strong with the run D and I think they'll do a good job of keeping him in check. It doesn't look like he has been too much of a threat in the passing game. And not only is James Franklin (their likely starting QB) a passing threat, but he made a good living running the football last year and he must be accounted for.
The story of the game will be can USC get enough heat on whoever Missouri plays at QB, and get them "off their spot" or at least have them hold onto the ball longer than they want and throw the timing off. Most spread offenses are rhythm passing so if you are able to cause some frustration early, it is relatively easy or manageable to get a handle on them. The danger is if the QB gets into a zone and they get that rapid fire play going, it is lights out.
USC must continue to be strong in run defense and limit the big play. I think Missouri will get theirs in the passing game between the 20's but we have to hold serve in the redzone. TJ Moe is the guy to be concerned about. He seems to be their Mr. Reliable and usually delivers a big play when they need one. He is just the definition of a football player. Marcus Lucas is probably the darkhorse to keep an eye on. He stands at 6'5 and looks to be around 10 yards per grab. When Lucas and Green-Beckham (former #1 player in the country) get on the field, there are going to be some significant size mismatches we will have to face. L'Damian Washington is their 3rd leading receiver and he is 6'4. So we could be looking at some sets where Lucas, Green-Beckham, and Washington are all out there at the same time with TJ Moe running rampant over the middle.
So basically it comes down to this. The front 4 has to play probably their best game to date. Clowney, Taylor, and Quarles need to be big time on national TV. If the secondary can bend but not break, I think we will be OK. Whammy has done a pretty good job so far and I think he'll make the adjustments as the game goes on but its going to be a challenge for him and his staff. Probably going to see a lot of TJ Gurley and Ahmad Christian, both freshmen, out there because of the type of sets Missouri uses so we have to hope they are up to speed.
2. Offensively, its really a big mystery on how USC is going to attack. I don't think there is any way that Spurrier and his staff ultimately want to get into a shootout with these guys. But with that being said, I doubt they want to be super conservative either. It really depends on how much Connor Shaw can do out there. I've said my peace on how I feel about the entire situation so I'm hoping for the best. If Spurrier says that Connor is throwing it around just fine this week, then let him get out there and make something happen. There is no way that the offensive line is going to keep his jersey clean and Missouri will be going for the kill shot every time they get the opportunity so it is imperative that Connor take his drop, get the ball out, and attempt to protect himself. Hopefully when he does run he is able to avoid the big hit.
I think this could be setting up to be one of those games where Spurrier just rides Lattimore as far as he can take us. There couldn't be a better opportunity for him to show the country that he is back. But again we have to have some sort of a downfield passing attack to help him out. I think we have to try to get him going in the passing game too. Not many screens or wheel routes have been called so far this season.
I look for the offense to open it up a little bit more in terms of some more creative sets and imagination. I look for Bruce Ellington to keep his strong play going and I do think this is a week where Shaq Roland can a bigger splash provided he finally gets in when the game is in question. It could also be a week where Jerell Adams and Buster Anderson get going. Its frustrating seeing Buster disappear one week and show up the next. A lot of that probably has to do with playcalling but we can't have him be Where's Waldo this weekend.
It comes down to the QB play. If Connor can play his game then we'll be alright. If not, hopefully Dylan Thompson is ready to go in the bullpen.
3. This is a really big game. I'd even call it a must win. The gauntlet is coming up and if we have any hopes of winning the East we have to win this game and at minimum split the month of October. The defense is playing very well, the offense has shown flashes that it can be extremely potent, and the home schedule will help too. We are at a crossroads on offense, IMO, and there are only two ways to go. It is either going to blast off or it'll go back to what it has been since last year. Not that last year's offense was necessarily a bad product but Spurrier has been in this situation many times before and it seems like the offense regresses each time so hopefully he can push the right buttons with this unit and get them to the championship level.
So hopefully this is the game Connor Shaw can silence the fans, hopefully the tight ends finally get some spotlight, hopefully Damiere Byrd makes another big play down the field, hopefully the offensive line finds some stability, hopefully the front 4 play like future NFLers, hopefully the young secondary limits the coverage busts, and finally .. hopefully if this game comes down to Special Teams whether it is kick coverage or a game winning field goal, Joe Robinson's unit delivers. A lot of question marks that will be answered this weekend and we should have a better picture of how good this football team can be the rest of the season. The rust should be wearing off and the gameplan should be broadening. We are about to see what we really have and I am cautiously optimistic.
