Missouri comes to Nebraska to open Big 12 play at Memorial Stadium Saturday night.
The game is set for an 8:10 p.m. kickoff and will be televised nationally by ESPN. The Tigers are 4-0 on the year and ranked fourth nationally. The Huskers are coming off of a hard-fought 35-30 loss against Virginia Tech.
Gary Pinkel is in his eighth year as the coach of the Tigers. His squad is coming off of a banner year in 2007 including a big win over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. This year, Missouri has the highest expectations for the football team in the history of the program.
The Tigers have one of the most potent offensive teams in the nation. The catalyst is quarterback Chase Daniel (6-feet, 225 pounds, Senior), who does everything extremely well. He is an accurate passer that throws the short or deep ball very effectively and is 101 of 133 (75.9 percent) with 12 touchdowns and only one interception this season. The senior averages 353 yards passing per game and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2007. As a team, the Tigers average 404 yards passing per contest. Daniel shredded a terrible Nebraska defense in Columbia last year in the 41-6 Tiger win. If he has all day to pick apart the Husker pass defense, it will be a very long night for Nebraska fans.
Missouri has done a good job in 2008 running the football. On the season, the Tigers are averaging 191 yards per game on the ground. Daniel is a solid scrambler that can also make plays with his feet. His best weapon in the backfield is Derrick Washington (5-11, 225, So.). Washington has 53 carries for 361 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He is joined by senior Jimmy Jackson (5-9, 200) to give the Tigers enough of a ground game to keep defenses honest.
The Tiger receivers are a stellar unit indeed. The leader is tight end Chase Coffman (6-6, 255, Sr.). His father, Paul was a fine tight end at Kansas State that went on to a long career in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers. Coffman leads the team with 28 catches. He is second on the team averaging just under 95 yards receiving per game with three touchdowns. The big play man is sophomore wide wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (6-1, 200), who has the speed to score from anywhere on the field. He is lethal in the open field. Maclin will catch passes, run with the football, is one of the best kick returners in the nation and averages 98 yards receiving per game and has a team-high four touchdown grabs. Tommy Saunders (6-0, 210, Sr.) is also a favorite target of the Missouri quarterbacks. Jared Perry (6-1, 180, Jr.) averages nearly 70 yards receiving per game as well. All four players must be accounted for in the Tiger spread offense.
The offensive line really controls the line of scrimmage. All five of the starters from tackle to tackle are at least 6-4 and 300 pounds. The big man is the right tackle Colin Brown (6-8, 330, Sr.). This group will not have much problem with the Nebraska pass rush unless the Huskers disguise their blitz packages and create issues for the Tiger offensive line. As a group, this quintet is solid blocking for both the passing and running game.
The Missouri defense is one of the lowest ranked units in the country. The Tigers employ a unique 4-2-5 scheme that has been inconsistent so far this season. The weakness has been in stopping the pass, where the Tigers have the 111th-ranked pass defense in the nation. Missouri has been allowing an average of 279 yards passing per game. The run defense has been better only giving up 99 yards rushing per contest.
The defensive ends are both fine playmakers for the Tigers. Stryker Shulak (6-5, 250, Sr) and Tommy Chavis (6-2, 265, Sr.) like to put pressure on from the outside. The man in the middle of the defense is linebacker Brock Christopher (6-2, 240, Sr.). He moves well from sideline to sideline to lead the defense. Christopher needs to play well for Missouri to have a good game against a talented Nebraska offense.
The Missouri secondary obviously has given up more yards than Tiger fans would like to see. Free safety William Moore (6-1, 230, Sr.) has the talent to make big plays for the Tiger defense. While Moore has had some injury problems early this season, he has a history of forcing turnovers for Missouri. Husker quarterback Joe Ganz will always need to be aware of Moore for the offense to have a good night.
The kicking game has been impressive for Missouri. Kicker Jeff Wolfert (6-2, 195, Sr.) has an accurate leg and the ability to make field goals from beyond 50 yards. Punter Jake Harry (6-1, 195, Jr.) has been solid for the Tigers. Maclin is always a threat in the return game. The Missouri kick coverage teams gave up big plays in the Tigers recent win over Buffalo. Perhaps Bulls coach and former Husker Turner Gill can give Nebraska some tips in keeping the game close in the fourth quarter.
Missouri has not won in Lincoln since 1978. That 35-31 Husker loss was the game after Nebraska defeated the Oklahoma Sooners for the first time since 1971. While James Wilder, Gerry Ellis, Phil Bradley and Kellen Winslow Sr. will not be playing for the Tigers, this is the best Missouri team to visit since Warren Powers coached Mizzou. Nebraska must make no mistakes to keep the game close. Look for the Missouri offense to roll to a 45-28 win over the Huskers Saturday night.
Jim Dolezal is a local Husker football fanatic as well as a part-time sports writer for the Telegram. He will analyze the Huskers’ opposition from a hometown perspective every Thursday throughout the season.
Tigers will give Huskers another home loss
By Jim Dolezal
Thursday, Oct 02, 2008 - 04:19:03 am CDT
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Wow doze
Oct 2, 2008 9:31 AM
Maybe you can "Column" as you see 'em.Brent
Oct 2, 2008 11:08 AM
Whew, thanks Jim. Now I don't have to watch the game.Look, we've played three spread offenses already, none as talented as we will face Saturday, but it stands to reason that Pelini brings enough experience in defending the spread attack to come up with a good defensive game plan. Execution is a different issue, but I would suggest to you that this is a team who plays better when they don't have a week off to get rusty.
Offensively, there is absolutely no reason we shouldn't be able to move the ball up and down the field on them. We just have to avoid the penalties that killed so many drives last weekend. Not having an ACC crew on the field should help.
This game will be close, because history exists for a reason. The home field advantage will be huge if the crowd makes it hard to Daniels to check his plays at the line.
The Huskers in a shocker 41-38!!!
Duckhusker
Oct 2, 2008 11:48 AM
Sorry Chase but you are gonna get tatoo'd early in the game and the Huskers love a rattled QB!!!! Huskers 24-17 GBR!!!!!!!!!!!!predictions
Oct 2, 2008 12:12 PM
nice comment brent, i couldnt have said it any better, there is a reason why many don't see mizzou as a rival all time record is 62-34-3 Nebraska.sam
Oct 2, 2008 1:16 PM
WOW!!!! glad you can see into the future. Wish I would have known that Oregon St. was going to upset USC, and Ole Miss was going to beat Florida. oh, can you tell me how many rushing yards we will have so I don't have to look at the stats or watch the game.
ps. I don't like your writing.
huskerincalifornia
Oct 2, 2008 1:28 PM
Break out game for the kids and Bo. Ghosts will show up on Osborne Field and the Big Red will be resurrected. NU takes MU 52-29 in a real paint swapper as Keith would say. Have some faith Jimbo!!!
gbr
choking chase
Oct 2, 2008 1:54 PM
GGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBBBBBIIIIIIGGGGGGGG
RRRRRREEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDD
GO BIG RED
Chase is going to choke like the chicken he is. I predict Dolezal to get suprised by the Husker D. It is going to be a blackshirt type of a night. I wouldn't even be suprised to see mr. daniel get his bell rung. I'll be laughing at all you HATERS come Sunday morning.
Thomas
Oct 2, 2008 2:29 PM
"This game will be close, because history exists for a reason."Probably the silliest thing I've ever read. The past is no factor on the game. None of the players from the '79, '83, '88, '90, '95, etc., teams will be playing on Saturday.
golfball
Oct 2, 2008 2:38 PM
Daniels will get blindsided in first quarter that will lead to fumble or pick. Like Dock said, he's gonna get rattled and be shaken up the rest of the game! If "D" can come out and hold them early, it will give us a good chance to start on good note. If Mizzou comes out bulldozing us like they did last year, watch out! Hopefully the crowd will be the loudest the season so far!golfball
Oct 2, 2008 2:40 PM
Thomas.......don't forget 1997 Miracle in Mizzou! Matt Davidson saves the day!!!Kris 8
Oct 2, 2008 2:42 PM
Over the years we've witnessed unexpected upsets. Games where we would have never thought the underdog could pull out a victory. So with that said, why not NU over MU? Why cant the Big Red pull a upset? The answer is...they can. With a clever game plan and a perfect execution of that game, the Huskers can do it!!! The fans in the stand, however, need to be as loud as they have ever been. The "12th man" needs to go home completely exhausted and with out the ability to talk (due to horseness). The crowd needs to be so loud that the coaches on the Missouri side line cant even communicate with each other. It needs to be absolute bedlum. And if the Huskers are not able to pull out a upset, I just hope they play them close and knock Chase on his a@# all night long!!!!!!! Go Big Red!! my optomistic prediction is NU 42 MU 38HuskerSkier
Oct 2, 2008 4:19 PM
Ok,Here is the thing, the huskers haven't performed consistantly enough yet this season on defense to stop Mizzou. Maybe they can do it saturday, but until we see it I don't think we can expect it...
just saying.
Lets not get unrealistic expectations.
GBR
Brent
Oct 2, 2008 5:12 PM
Thomas,The Huskers will BELIEVE they can win because none of them were alive the last time we didn't, and the opposite will be true for Missouri.
You don't think it will be in the back of the Tigers' minds Saturday that they are trying to do something that hasn't been done in their lifetimes?
That is why history repeats itself. Ask Oregon State. Don't you think those kids, even though mostly different, pulled from their last home win against USC???
The only thing sillier than not knowing history, is not believing in it.
GBR!!!
Kool-aide
Oct 2, 2008 5:19 PM
Mizzou will score 35 by halftime. Have you people been watching a different Husker team then me. Get real this team is average at best and will get rocked Saturday. Open your eyes people, this isn't 1997.Andrew
Oct 2, 2008 6:01 PM
Jim,Dont listen to these fools talk trash about your column.
Your honest with yourself in your column, and thats why i like reading it.
NU is almost certainly going to lose this week. Sadly all of our "Tradition" doesn't give us better players in this game.
Thats the reason its called an "upset." you can't predict an upset cause if its your team is supposed to win, it should.
Our team is not supposed to win, so you should predict MU to win (like jim did).
I'm tired of all these crazed husker fans putting all their faith (and pressure alot of pressure) into this poorly recruited team.
Look go out and be a husker faithful in 2 years when bo has HIS team and the guys are FAMILIAR with his plans.
This is dollar bill calahans team...dont forget that. How many freshman you see out there? Those are bo's boys.
MU over NU 45-32.
Id love an upset...lets go huskers!
Cherry Popins
Oct 2, 2008 8:33 PM
Alright folks i will goahead and giveu the down low. First Travis McLaughlin aka predictions, not the ma duu... everybody knows that this is a rival game and will always continue to be a rivalary!! U soo stoopid!!gm
Oct 2, 2008 8:35 PM
"Andrew- Look go out and be a husker faithful in 2 years when bo has HIS team and the guys are FAMILIAR with his plans."There it is again, when frank gets his team, when bill gets his team, when bo gets his team.
ghost of devaney
Oct 2, 2008 10:33 PM
Ghost's will emerge alright. A p o'd off Bo unleashes the blackshirts and whips the crowd into a frenzy. 5 mizzerable turnovers lead to a 28 - 10 Husker pummeling......Outoftowner
Oct 3, 2008 4:25 AM
Acording to this article, I am going to be very disapointed if the Huskers win.I HOPE I AM DISAPOINTED.
GO GO GO RED.
We love you more then Jim.
Husker in Texas
Oct 3, 2008 10:01 AM
Nice job Jim, way to be objective. The past few years have been tough for a 20 year Nebraska resident and big red fan who moved down to Texas in 2001. When I first moved to Texas, Nebraska football radio network was broadcast in Texas and Saturdays were business as usual for me. I recall the days I attended UNL; getting up early, walking to the student union and feeling the electricity while I listened to pre game banter on the radio. Later moseying over to the Nebraska Bookstore and watch the radio heads and live interviews. After soaking in the atmosphere I would hit one of the just off campus eating places for an early lunch before heading to the stadium. I would get my self comfortable with a purchased bleacher seat cover and a soft drink and prepare for the destruction of another opponent. Nebraska football was at the peak of its popularity… The wall have come tumbling down. The radio stations have all gone down here. Nebraska football isn’t even considered relevant in this part of the country. I had to install satellite so I could find stations to purchase the televised PPV offerings. You can tell that the national media really would love Nebraska to be popular. They are forcing games in the hopes the rugged, tough and powerful Nebraska team would show. Legacy has shown that Nebraska football has knowledgeable fans, Midwestern wholesomeness and work ethic, sound fundamentals and the best looking football uniforms in college football (especially the helmet). People are living in the past. Husker pride has been systematically dismantled by the evil Darth Callahan. This team is not very good and Nebraska football is not ready for any stage. I fear that putting Nebraska on this stage will do more damage than good. Nebraska is not back. I don’t what Husker fans have been looking at this year, but from what I have seen for this game: the Huskers may only compete in spirit. Last week we played a running quarterback that admittedly couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn and he made it look easy. Chase is self proclaimed a rock star, it won’t be pretty.Geez
Oct 3, 2008 7:08 PM
Seriously are people so stuck in the past that they have not watched the real Huskers this season. I see a team with a bunch of hot heads who can't keep their cool when the game is on the line. This is why Bo Bo the clown is a good nickname. Do we really want three more years of this clown. Mizzou will score 35 by half, bet the farm on that.trip
Oct 3, 2008 9:08 PM
There's no reason for fans to not want a Husker win, that's why we're "fans". If Ole Miss, Navy, and Duke can win on the same day, this year's Husker team can beat Mizzou on a given evening. Will it be Saturday? Chances are slim, but I can guarantee one thing. These Big Red kids will play with the heart of a lion. Bo brought that with him. Last year VATECH scores 60+ in Lincoln with Cosgrove and Callacan't at the helm.Wins will start to pile up for Bo, but right now, just watch the emotion and enthusiasm of his team. That alone is an upgrade from last year. WE ARE ON THE WAY BACK PEEPS...
Steve
Oct 3, 2008 9:53 PM
It's sad to see how many people think with the heart, instead of the head. Mizzou will roll NU. Mizzou is way too talented for our "swiss cheese" secondary to handle. Mizzou will sadly break the 30 yr winless drought in Lincoln. Believe me, I hate saying this.MDS
Oct 3, 2008 10:34 PM
Wow Jim I have less respect for U on youre comment. I can take it hearing we are going to lose when it comes face to face, but putting it down this way is really an insult, and you are a Husker football fanatic.
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