Disproving the indestructible Mizzou defense theory

[fromthe25ydline]

Kentucky has always lived and died by the quality of their signal caller. History proves this point. Mobile QB's like Mauk have given UK fits through the years because they extend plays. Here at Kentucky, above average OL play has helped the Woodsons, Hartlines and Lorenzens. Kentucky is not getting that right now for Towles. PT's idea of extending passing situations is to run.

This factor has exposed PT's lack of pocket poise and opponents have quite clearly made attacking the pocket a huge part of their defensive game plans. If Missouri has some good athletes up front then they have a distinct advantage. A Mauk-like player would extend some plays in the Dawson scheme and allow UK's receivers to get open while the coverage breaks down.

This point is what has many fans upset because Towles has some running capabilities. But instead of avoiding some sacks he simply bails out of the pocket early and to the right side almost exclusively. None of us know how well he throws on the run because he tucks it quickly and becomes a runner nearly every time he gets pressured. It's become a tendency. If Mizzou applies pressure time and again, then we'll see some of the same results on Saturday night.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

You seem to have a way of twisting words, tool.

First and foremost, I never said that Dawson was better than Pinkel, so let's knock that out in a hurry. You might as well get your panties out of a wad over that right now, because you are the first one in this thread to even suggest that being mentioned in any fashion in this thread. In typical UKWinsAgainYep fashion, you have your head half a mile up your a**

Secondly, who does Mizzou bring back of note in their secondary? Can't hurt Florida that they bring back the best CB in the country, I can tell you that much. Mizzou also didn't bring any new players that could usurp anybody in their secondary out of the gate. That is not Mizzou's strength. They do d-line, not defensive backfield.

Once again, not sure where anybody suggests that Towles will "run all over" Mizzou, but they're not going to get nailed to the wall either. You have, yet again, failed to produce anything of value to any thread on this forum. No surprise.

Mizzou returns basically all of their DBs and they will be very tough in the backfield in addition to the D-Line. You can mark it down. But oh yeah, I know, "Mizzou isn't that good". I hear it every year on this board even though they keep winning the East and eating UK's lunch.

I assure you Stoops doesn't think Mizzou "isn't that good". Pinkel owns fans like you who consistently underestimate them every single year.

IF we win this game, it won't be by much. It will probably be because our Defense plays lights out again.

 

[brianpoe]

Mizzou returns basically all of their DBs and they will be very tough in the backfield in addition to the D-Line. You can mark it down. But oh yeah, I know, "Mizzou isn't that good". I hear it every year on this board even though they keep winning the East and eating UK's lunch.

I assure you Stoops doesn't think Mizzou "isn't that good". Pinkel owns fans like you who consistently underestimate them every single year.

IF we win this game, it won't be by much. It will probably be because our Defense plays lights out again.

Thanks for the response. I agree their DB's are better, their coaches love them.

Dline is talented but no starters returned. I find it hard to believe these guys had 8 studs last year on the line.

So I'm hoping we can find an opening.

They also have a great linebacker, very aggressive. We must keep him guessing.

We know they are coming. Dawson must be prepared for it.

We never do well against running QB's but it's time Mauk provided some of the screw ups he gives every other team.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Rowland and Leach made a good point today that this Mizzou team knows how to win close games. They are extremely well coached.

 

[brianpoe]

Rowland and Leach made a good point today that this Mizzou team knows how to win close games. They are extremely well coached.

Makes a huge difference. We have rookies on the sideline. It will take some time for them to prove it and then instill the mindset into the players.

We have to win a few of these close ones to believe we can do it regularly and the coaches have to learn from mistakes and not make them anymore.

Starts at the top. CMS can get there.

 

[anon_7tbtqcx308nxh]

The advanced stats that take into account strength of schedule and garbage time stats say Mizzou has an elite defense ranked 4th in the country. Everyone should see for themselves.

• 64th on standard downs isn't that scary, but UK sucks on standard downs so it may not matter.
  
• 2nd in Havoc Rate (sacks and TFLs), which is scary because of UK's OL isssues.
• 74th on Passing Downs S&P+ and 100th is the national average. For comparison's sake, Florida's Passing Down S&P+ is 23rd. Recall Florida held UK to 6-for-18 on third downs. Don't get too excited though, because Mizzou's secondary is also 6th on Passing Downs IsoPPP which is a measure for preventing explosive plays. Assuming UK has negative plays due to Mizzou's high Havoc Rate, it'll be really hard for the Wildcats to make up the yardage given how well Mizzou prevents big plays.

UK's offense has struggled after the 1Q this year. I wouldn't be surprised if UK only manages 3-6 points after the 1Q. Meanwhile, Mizzou's defense rates at 29th in the country in the 1Q, 45th in the 2Q but gets even stronger in the second half. The 3Q and 4Q they rank 6th in the country.

That's why UK's defense has to turn over the Tigers. UK needs defensive scores and/or short fields to have a chance. UK's offense does not match up well against Mizzou's defense based on the results of this season.

 

[jrburt]

Makes a huge difference. We have rookies on the sideline. It will take some time for them to prove it and then instill the mindset into the players.

We have to win a few of these close ones to believe we can do it regularly and the coaches have to learn from mistakes and not make them anymore.

Starts at the top. CMS can get there.

Have we not won 2 close games this year?

 

[brianpoe]

Have we not won 2 close games this year?

Yes, but we had big leads in both and squandered them. I think that is a big difference versus the UF game, where it was close the whole way through.

Did we show great resilience each time or did the other team just pull a Self and run out of time?

I'm not sure losing double digit leads in the second half constitutes that we are where we need to be.

Stepping on an opponents throat and putting them away ALONG with making the plays to win a close ball game is the mindset I'm looking for.

 

[LouievileKat]

I watched two of Missouri's games this year and I can't say if they were playing to the level of their competition or not or even how good they are. What I can say though is that defense has played really sound fundamental defense and its the simple things that I find impressive. It will be difficult imo. Just hoping our line can actually block and pick up blitzes and our receivers make plays to catch passes like Florida's TE did last week. That dude was insane laying out for plays.

 

[UK Cats Rock]

Who are you to say the Mizzou DBs are not as good? The Mizzou defense is BETTER than last year overall and they took care of business against us as usual last year.

It's amazing how cocky and arrogant some of our fans are while underestimating Mizzou.

Ese up man. Just because he has an opinion different than yours doesn't make him arrogant. That's what these boards are for..... just respond to the posts without making it seem personal. Thanks.

 

[FHTiger24]

I watched two of Missouri's games this year and I can't say if they were playing to the level of their competition or not or even how good they are. What I can say though is that defense has played really sound fundamental defense and its the simple things that I find impressive. It will be difficult imo. Just hoping our line can actually block and pick up blitzes and our receivers make plays to catch passes like Florida's TE did last week. That dude was insane laying out for plays.

I find it troubling as a MU fan (who's seen all 3 games) that I can't say either, at least regarding the offense.

It appears both teams have warts, and should make for a close (albeit ugly at times) game.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I'm not worried about Missou's defense. I'm worried about UK's execution on offense.

 

[RenderMan]

This doesn't disprove their defense as much as questions it, which is legitimate. That said, Mizzou's d-line is strong. Is it as deep as Florida's? Not even close, which means it's less like that their d-line is as effective as Florida's throughout the entire game, but it should be just as effective at times. Goes both ways though, UK will probably get just as many opportunities to make plays in the Mizzou backfield.




This is just silly though. Fact of the matter is that Mizzou's DB corps is not near the talent level of Florida's. UK will have better success at hitting receivers, how much more success will hinge on how many opportunities the line allows, but even Florida's d-line allowed enough opportunities to move the ball downfield. The difference maker was their DB corps, which Missouri lacks to that capacity.

You don't know Mizzou's DBs then. Kenya Dennis will get drafted in April. Aarion Penton may forgo his senior year for the NFL draft. I hope not, but he will definitely be drafted if not 2016, then 2017. We have a lot of young talent in our secondary. The most I've seen. Maybe not Florida level, but damn good.

 

[RenderMan]

The advanced stats that take into account strength of schedule and garbage time stats say Mizzou has an elite defense ranked 4th in the country. Everyone should see for themselves.

• 64th on standard downs isn't that scary, but UK sucks on standard downs so it may not matter.
  
• 2nd in Havoc Rate (sacks and TFLs), which is scary because of UK's OL isssues.
• 74th on Passing Downs S&P+ and 100th is the national average. For comparison's sake, Florida's Passing Down S&P+ is 23rd. Recall Florida held UK to 6-for-18 on third downs. Don't get too excited though, because Mizzou's secondary is also 6th on Passing Downs IsoPPP which is a measure for preventing explosive plays. Assuming UK has negative plays due to Mizzou's high Havoc Rate, it'll be really hard for the Wildcats to make up the yardage given how well Mizzou prevents big plays.

UK's offense has struggled after the 1Q this year. I wouldn't be surprised if UK only manages 3-6 points after the 1Q. Meanwhile, Mizzou's defense rates at 29th in the country in the 1Q, 45th in the 2Q but gets even stronger in the second half. The 3Q and 4Q they rank 6th in the country.

That's why UK's defense has to turn over the Tigers. UK needs defensive scores and/or short fields to have a chance. UK's offense does not match up well against Mizzou's defense based on the results of this season.

Mizzou's defense shows up better in the 2nd half of games because Mauk is a different QB in the 2nd half. In the first half of games, he looks hungover constantly putting the defense in terrible positions with repeated 3 and outs and turnovers on our side of the field. Mauk sober up at halftime and is just ok in the 2nd half. Every game.

 

[screwduke]

Mizzou returns basically all of their DBs and they will be very tough in the backfield in addition to the D-Line. You can mark it down. But oh yeah, I know, "Mizzou isn't that good". I hear it every year on this board even though they keep winning the East and eating UK's lunch.

I assure you Stoops doesn't think Mizzou "isn't that good". Pinkel owns fans like you who consistently underestimate them every single year.

IF we win this game, it won't be by much. It will probably be because our Defense plays lights out again.

You're just mad that your team is 0-3.