mizzou

by liquidsmoke on Oct 15, 2007 11:47 AM CDT

The game this saturday at Columbia will be Tech's toughest game yet. Mizzou is a very solid team with a great QB. They will be fired up, especially coming off that loss to Oklahoma. There are several things that Tech must do in order to come out of this game with a win.

Priority #1: Take the crowd out of the game. If Tech's offense can go in there and possibly get an early lead, by scoring on our first possession, this would be great. Get all of the big game jitters out so we can be loose for the rest of the game.

Priority #2: Defense must continue their enthusiasm and energy. As we all know, Ruffin has made a huge, almost 180 degree turn from the Oklahoma State game. If Tech can stay fired up, and fly to the football, we have a chance to come out of Columbia with a win.

Priority #3: No Turnovers. Last year Mizzou started the game by leading 21-0. This was partly due to the fact that Graham threw 2 interceptions on back-to-back plays deep in our own territory. Graham has matured a ton since that game, and he is better at making reads and checks at the line of scrimmage. If Harrell plays with the same savvy that he has for the first 7 games, Tech has a great chance in this one.

Priority #4: Win on 3rd down. Mizzou is 1st in the big 12 in 3rd down conversions. Tech is 2nd. In order to beat Mizzou on 3rd down, we must contain Chase Daniel. I distinctly remember him beating us many times last year on 3rd down by scrambling for the 1st down.

This game is huge. This game is huge for Tech and for Mizzou. Tech has been playing so well since Oklahoma State, and I hope they will keep it up with this tough road game. Last year, Mizzou didn't beat Tech, Tech beat Tech. Other than those 2 first quarter turnovers, Tech outplayed and outscored Mizzou. We can beat Mizzou if we stick to the basics and play with that same fire that we have the last 3 weeks.

GO TECH!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.

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agreed

Good call. I was at that game last year and kept saying that Graham beat Tech not Chase Daniel. The way our entire offense is playing this year with the increased play of our lights-out swarm defense (man whens the last time I could say that), we have an incredible chance of coming out of Columbia with a win and coming out of the big 12 south with either a first place finish or 2nd place and cotton bowl.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself but it never hurts to wish a little.
Can't wait for this weekend to get here.

by jdktech2010 on Oct 15, 2007 12:33 PM CDT reply actions

Defining game.

We haven't really beaten anyone of note yet so this is our opportunity to prove to a national audience that we deserve recognition. How Tech responds to the challenge will tell a lot about what kind of team we have.

Also, substantively, we can't win the Big 12 south without winning this game. I am morally convinced that Oklahoma will win out the rest of their schedule except us of course. Which is to say, that the South depends on an undefeated schedule from here on out. If we can't beat Missouri, we can't beat Oklahoma. And even beating Oklahoma probably won't save us if we lose to Missouri.

by Red Blooded @ Double-T Nation on Oct 15, 2007 2:29 PM CDT reply actions

Tech

Can win this one as long as they keep focus and fire.

The word from Columbus is that they think they have a sure win because Tech has never been able to win there.

Although they think highly of Leach's offense, they seem to think our defense is a "paper tiger" that they can do what they want on. They point to past matchups and other factors.

Although their coach admits that our defense is better, he states very openly that its no different than it was last year and that he has no concerns or worries about his offense racking up 35 to 45 points.

He seems to think that Harrell will turn the ball over as he did last year because as he puts it, Tech has not faced our level of defense which generates turn overs. Simply, he says Harrell will choke and our defense can not stop a leaky faucet.

So that is the story from Columbus as of Tuesday night. Thanks to SH who lives outside of Columbus for the info.

by pablo @ Double-T Nation on Oct 16, 2007 11:36 PM CDT reply actions