Why I believe UT will beat Mizzou

[ShoalCreekVol]

I think this game is enough of a mismatch that UT can even overcome the horrific D this week. Here's why, IMO, I expect a Big Orange Victory:

UT's offense is statistically #2 overall in the SEC, with the #1 passing offense and the #8 rushing offense. Mizzou's D is #11 in sacks and #12 in INTs.

So, our offense's strength (passing game) lines up against a team that can't get a sack or an INT. Tyler won't have to wash his jersey for another week, and we should be able to avoid losing the turnover battle.

Now UT's D can't get a sack or an INT either (14th & 7th in SEC respectively) either, but this week they will line up against a much worse offense. MU is #13 in overall offense, 11th in passing and 13th in rushing. UT's defense shouldn't be as much of a liability against an offense that sucks passing and running. Remember, we beat Troy in spite of our D and Mizzou's offense is nowhere near Troy's.

So, UT should win by 10-14 points at least, and our defense shouldn't be gashed in as obvious a manner as recent games. The only thing to watch is who takes credit for the defensive improvements, and do they mention the obvious major drop-off between Troy's offense and Missouri's when crowing about it after the game.

BTW how bad does it suck that we needed more schools to join the conference so we could finally get our first "SEC" win....but a win is a win!

Just one opinion. I would like to hear your perspectives on the match-up.

 

[VolunteerVandiver]

UT will score 50+ points on Saturday, but will it be enough?

 

[OrangeByBirth]

The TEAM does not want to be part of the worst SEC record in recent history for UT. They don't want to live under that cloud. They will at least leave it on the field.

 

[Rudy123]

I think this game is enough of a mismatch that UT can even overcome the horrific D this week. Here's why, IMO, I expect a Big Orange Victory:

UT's offense is statistically #2 overall in the SEC, with the #1 passing offense and the #8 rushing offense. Mizzou's D is #11 in sacks and #12 in INTs.

So, our offense's strength (passing game) lines up against a team that can't get a sack or an INT. Tyler won't have to wash his jersey for another week, and we should be able to avoid losing the turnover battle.

Now UT's D can't get a sack or an INT either (14th & 7th in SEC respectively) either, but this week they will line up against a much worse offense. MU is #13 in overall offense, 11th in passing and 13th in rushing. UT's defense shouldn't be as much of a liability against an offense that sucks passing and running. Remember, we beat Troy in spite of our D and Mizzou's offense is nowhere near Troy's.

So, UT should win by 10-14 points at least, and our defense shouldn't be gashed in as obvious a manner as recent games. The only thing to watch is who takes credit for the defensive improvements, and do they mention the obvious major drop-off between Troy's offense and Missouri's when crowing about it after the game.

BTW how bad does it suck that we needed more schools to join the conference so we could finally get our first "SEC" win....but a win is a win!

Just one opinion. I would like to hear your perspectives on the match-up.

Missouri causes turn overs in every game, either interceptions or fumbles. They may beat us by causing turn overs.....
Check out how they rank nationally in turn overs....

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

OP might be right.

We also have to consider that the Mizzou starting QB has been injured a few games and he's now back and he's a good passer and runner so we have to control that double threat the entire 60 minutes.

He made some mistakes against floriDUHHH and still they only lost by 7 points.

I expect a tough, hard fought game with our Vols getting the WIN.

VFL...GBO!!!

 

[fade route]

The TEAM does not want to be part of the worst SEC record in recent history for UT. They don't want to live under that cloud. They will at least leave it on the field.

Yes, but is that enough to overcome the shatty coachng they get from the sidelines?

 

[TrueOrange]

Missouri causes turn overs in every game, either interceptions or fumbles. They may beat us by causing turn overs.....
Check out how they rank nationally in turn overs....

They're also ranked in the 20s with regards to throwing interceptions and getting sacked.

They lose fumbles less than UT does, but they've also fumbled more overall (19 to 12)



So seems like security and turnovers is also an issue for them

 

[TrueOrange]

OP might be right.

We also have to consider that the Mizzou starting QB has been injured a few games and he's now back and he's a good passer and runner so we have to control that double threat the entire 60 minutes.

He made some mistakes against floriDUHHH and still they only lost by 7 points.

I expect a tough, hard fought game with our Vols getting the WIN.

VFL...GBO!!!

He's not "back" from injury...he's still dealing with a knee issue/injury that - according to espn regarding his last game - "you could tell his knee was really bothering him. He couldn't put a lot of weight on his front foot, which caused some of his passes to sail. Along with some poorly forced throws, Franklin tossed four interceptions with no touchdown passes, including the game-clinching pick in the back of the end zone on the Tigers' final drive." The reminant of the knee injury's also - unless magically completely better between last week and now - been hindering his ability to run with the ball






Here's the full article on him btw:

It's been a very long and tough introduction to the SEC for Missouri quarterback James Franklin.

He entered his first year in the Tigers' new conference with a load of hype following him from the Big 12. He was one of the league's top quarterbacks and a pain for defenses with his dual-threat ability. Last season, he threw for 2,865 yards, ran for another 981 yards and combined for 36 touchdowns.

Franklin certainly wasn't expected to run over SEC defenses when he arrived, but he was expected to do a lot more than he has.

Franklin has basically been wrapped in bandages for the better part of the 2012 season, playing in seven of the Tigers' nine games and passing for just 1,057 yards and four touchdowns. He has just 104 rushing yards on 62 carries. He needed surgery for his shoulder this spring, then suffered a different shoulder injury against Georgia in Week 2. He missed the next game and lost some confidence in his throws when he returned because of the pain.

Three games later, Franklin sprained his knee in the Tigers' loss to Vandy and had to miss another game. After the bye week, he returned in a reserve role in Mizzou's win against Kentucky.

"It's been difficult," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said of Franklin's injury-plagued season. "It's been nothing normal."

You really had to feel for Franklin during his deflating return as the Tigers' starter against Florida. He passed for 236 yards on 24-of-51 passing, but you could tell his knee was really bothering him. He couldn't put a lot of weight on his front foot, which caused some of his passes to sail. Along with some poorly forced throws, Franklin tossed four interceptions with no touchdown passes, including the game-clinching pick in the back of the end zone on the Tigers' final drive.

With that, one of the Big 12's most exciting players has become a shell of himself in the SEC. But you won't hear anyone at Missouri publicly complain about Franklin's play. Pinkel and his players are backing their battered quarterback, and are hoping that all of this adversity helps him grow more as a player.

"All this is also going to make him tougher," Pinkel said. "A quarterback has to have the mental resiliency, that mental toughness. He's getting that. He's getting callused up little bit, and that's OK. That'll help him be a better player down the road."

You have to wonder how much of a mental toll this is taking on Franklin, who looked shaken after Saturday's loss. He wasn't healthy, but he did make some bad decisions that cost the Tigers. Everyone is standing by him, but if this team is going to make it to a bowl game, it has to get the Franklin of old back against a Tennessee defense that has made just about every offense it's faced looked like Oregon.

Franklin probably won't be completely healthy until after he gets some real offseason rest, but the attitude that he walked into the season with has to return, or this team won't make it out of November with much to be proud of. He has to adjust and do what he's comfortable with, or he'll continue to make the mistakes he made against Florida.

Pinkel isn't looking to make a quarterback change, but he is looking for Franklin rebound. The mental side is getting to him, but with his back against the wall and Missouri's bowl hopes in the balance, this is where Franklin can really progress.

"That's where you learn," Pinkel said. "That's where you grow as a quarterback."

 

[Sharriscgcs]

With a new like James Franklin, it makes ME want to run out on the field and lay a helmet into his chest and sack him!

 

[ShoalCreekVol]

Let's hope we go 2-0 against James Franklin this year.

 

[vol in dixie]

they have a similar offensive structure as Akron & Troy, only better athletes. so, yea, they're gonna score a lot on our D. we just have to hope they make some mistakes that we can capitalize on or we could easily loose.

 

[vol in dixie]

what's also going to be embarrassing this game is that Mizzou is bringing more fans from 600 miles away than student tickets sold this week.

i read on volquest where Hubbs said that they have bought over 5,000 tickets and the students had only bought 2,700 tickets as of thursday. pretty sad. what else is there to do in knoxville at noon this saturday? do our students not like SEC football?

 

[Wylo]

The TEAM does not want to be part of the worst SEC record in recent history for UT. They don't want to live under that cloud. They will at least leave it on the field.

So by that rationale, I guess we can assume that it has taken 9 games for them to decide that they don't want to be part of the worst SEC records in recent history?

Good call.

 

[GrudenDooley]

77-70 vols. it has been writteth let it be soeth.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Yes, but is that enough to overcome the shatty coachng they get from the sidelines?

Exactly when do you think the coaches tell the kids to be bad players? Largely it is the same dolts from last year doing the same crap wrong from last year only in a new system. The players on D are bad. Most are one dimensional, if that. One of the few bright spots got hurt covering for one of the damn dolts in the Florida game. Even if they hate the coach or dont like the scheme they would still play well and look explosive and athletic if they could. Against the best teams they can't. So they haven't. Hard to blame a coach for an inept player. Except for recuiting his inept ass. Mizzou should be less of a problem though. Should hold them under 30. We can score that many on them by half time.
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[Neylandsmaxims]

Tigers have a breakout offensive performance. Going over 500 yards, and scoring 38 points. But, it's not enough. The Vol offense rolls for over 600 yards. 400 passing and 200 rushing. Marlin Lane breaks out big, for 150+. Vols roll 59-38.

 

[ShoalCreekVol]

...Largely it is the same dolts from last year doing the same crap wrong from last year only in a new system.....Hard to blame a coach for an inept player. Except for recuiting his inept ass....[/size]

1) Our D was 12th in the nation against the pass last year, now they are #112 with mostly the same players in the defensive backfield;

2) So a coaches only job is to recruit guys who are already fully developed and know everything? Ridiculous! A coach is supposed to take their recruits and make them better, coach them up.

 

[ShoalCreekVol]

Just coming back by to say "disregard this thread". I was wrong. Probably just wishful thinking, but I sure was hoping we'd get this win.