Originally Posted by Mizzou_8541:
Drink has raised expectations that Mizzou fans are disappointed with a 9 (maybe 10) win season in the SEC.
I hope he stays as long or longer than Pinkel.
He has, but to get to the next level, he has to build a team that can walk through the tunnels of Tuscaloosa, Athens, Austin that is prepared to win, and believes they can win. Shitting the bed like they did against A&M and 'Bama was unacceptable. Losing on the road isn't unacceptable, but laying down like an old dog is...they were down 21-0 when they got off the bus. Getting it right at QB goes a long way to pulling off the occasional big upset, which they've never done outside of James Franklin @ Georgia, before they were dominant. [Reply]
*From the broader perspective, Cook is a wonderful story. He loves the University, and has poured his heart into the program, often playing while physically compromised. That deserves plaudits.
*Drinkwitz has done a lot to raise the profile of the team. He's brought in recruits with a national profile, and the University has made a financial commitment to the football program that dwarfs its previous budgets.
*The offense was significantly better in the second halves of most conference games. That shows an ability to recognize and exploit an opponents' weakness or wear them out with superior physicality.
*The defense came into today as a top 20 unit nationally, giving up only 315 yards per game without much in the way of NFL talent on that side of the ball. They're fifth in the nation in third down defense. By those metrics, it's one of the better defenses in the country.
But why did the whole seem like so much less than a sum of the parts?
Taylen Green is from Lewisville, Texas. He played at Boise, but there is no reason why he should be so much more comfortable throwing the ball in a snow game than a kid who grew up in St. Louis. He utilized the middle of the field in a way that Cook has never been able to, which is extremely frustrating when you have receivers like Burden and Wease.
Why does every first half begin with the offense in disarray? Why do they need halftime, or a scoop and score by the defense to wake them up? The tools are all there for an elite offense, but you can't have one if it only functions for half the game.
Why is the team so risk averse? Why does the defense not travel? (462 yards vs. South Carolina, 338 in 18 minutes of possession for Miss St, 486 for Alabama, 512 vs aTm)
Why is Luther off the field so much? Why can't Moore scheme him open by using him in motion and with rub routes?
If this were 9-3 in a vacuum, it would feel a lot more rewarding than it is. Unfortunately, the conference is a dumpster fire this year, and they had a perfect opportunity to take advantage of an easy schedule, a generational offensive talent, and favorable NIL laws. Missing the playoffs when the path was so easy raises questions about the program's ability to do it when it isn't, because there isn't more of a cakewalk than 2024. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Woogieman:
He has, but to get to the next level, he has to build a team that can walk through the tunnels of Tuscaloosa, Athens, Austin that is prepared to win, and believes they can win. Shitting the bed like they did against A&M and 'Bama was unacceptable. Losing on the road isn't unacceptable, but laying down like an old dog is...they were down 21-0 when they got off the bus. Getting it right at QB goes a long way to pulling off the occasional big upset, which they've never done outside of James Franklin @ Georgia, before they were dominant.
He’s needs to the QB position right. No arguments there. Was going to be hard to usurp Brady Cook this year without the second coming of Chase Daniel. However, you’re correct, the Drew Pyne era, as short as it was, was a failure on Drink. However, it’s not his fault Sam Horn had to get Tommy John while he was playing baseball for Mizzou. As we all know, we hope people can grow into their role. He landed a 4* last year. Zollers coming in. Horn healed. No reason to think our QB position won’t be better next year.
Last two years with drink we’ve been a top 20 team. ATM was bad but don’t remember that game? We were a hairline away from taking the lead early.
Drink is the best thing to happen to this program and it’s not even close. Even Pinkel and his jumbo wine wouldn’t disagree. [Reply]
Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins:
I am of two minds with this team:
*From the broader perspective, Cook is a wonderful story. He loves the University, and has poured his heart into the program, often playing while physically compromised. That deserves plaudits.
*Drinkwitz has done a lot to raise the profile of the team. He's brought in recruits with a national profile, and the University has made a financial commitment to the football program that dwarfs its previous budgets.
*The offense was significantly better in the second halves of most conference games. That shows an ability to recognize and exploit an opponents' weakness or wear them out with superior physicality.
*The defense came into today as a top 20 unit nationally, giving up only 315 yards per game without much in the way of NFL talent on that side of the ball. They're fifth in the nation in third down defense. By those metrics, it's one of the better defenses in the country.
But why did the whole seem like so much less than a sum of the parts?
Taylen Green is from Lewisville, Texas. He played at Boise, but there is no reason why he should be so much more comfortable throwing the ball in a snow game than a kid who grew up in St. Louis. He utilized the middle of the field in a way that Cook has never been able to, which is extremely frustrating when you have receivers like Burden and Wease.
Why does every first half begin with the offense in disarray? Why do they need halftime, or a scoop and score by the defense to wake them up? The tools are all there for an elite offense, but you can't have one if it only functions for half the game.
Why is the team so risk averse? Why does the defense not travel? (462 yards vs. South Carolina, 338 in 18 minutes of possession for Miss St, 486 for Alabama, 512 vs aTm)
Why is Luther off the field so much? Why can't Moore scheme him open by using him in motion and with rub routes?
If this were 9-3 in a vacuum, it would feel a lot more rewarding than it is. Unfortunately, the conference is a dumpster fire this year, and they had a perfect opportunity to take advantage of an easy schedule, a generational offensive talent, and favorable NIL laws. Missing the playoffs when the path was so easy raises questions about the program's ability to do it when it isn't, because there isn't more of a cakewalk than 2024.
The path seems easy in April 2024. Turned out much more difficult in November. Can’t judge by the early season predictions. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mizzou_8541:
Drink is the best thing to happen to this program and it’s not even close. Even Pinkel and his jumbo wine wouldn’t disagree.
I’m not even trying to turn this into an anti Drink thing but this is completely asinine to say right now good lord….
Anyways, I feel like the story of this season will be “what if”, just sucks we won’t be in the CFP because I actually believe with the parity in CFB and how they’re playing they could actually make some noise in it and play with most of the teams that’ll be in it.
Have to get the QB right next year, I hope Zollers will be healed by then….do wonder if they’ll go in the portal and look for someone. [Reply]
Cleveland Heights four-star running back Marquise Davis has flipped his commitment from Kentucky to Missouri, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
He was pledged to the Wildcats since May 1, but is now set to head to Columbia, adding to a top-20 recruiting class under Eli Drinkwitz and Co.
Davis is the No. 193 overall prospect and No. 14 RB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 player in Ohio.
On3 ranks Davis higher than other recruiting services. He checks in as the No. 148 recruit, No. 7 RB and No. 6 player in Ohio in the 2025 On300. [Reply]