10 things which must happen to win at the Jones Saturday night.

1.       Convert third downs. Don’t run draw plays on third and 5. Missouri’s defense is fast. I just need to see a well managed game from the coaches, let's not call time out to get a play in, let’s run to the ball and get what they offer up. Don’t punt with 45 seconds to go in the 2nd period. And for God’s sake let’s not get hung up on wig wagging in the perfect play when a simple slant will do. Sticks can throw a 10 yard roll out to the inside receiver, even hung over, it’s ok Coach Neal brown let him check a couple of time per quarter.

2.       Hope is not a method. Eventually the Tech defense is going to find out you have to punch people in the mouth to dominate them. We have been waiting all year for the "game", the quarter, the package to emerge.  What’s been happening is people have been going down in droves on the defensive  side of the ball.  The Tech defense is the worst in the conference. I want to see a lot of stuffed dives, shucked blockers and wrapped up tackles on the perimeter.

3.       If we know anything about this team it’s that they don’t quit. Don’t execute too well in stretches but they don’t quit.  The things is we need 4 periods of decent offensive production, no special teams gaffes and 9 or 10 violent defensive series. The result of which is 5  x three and outs, 3-5 tipped passes and 3 - 5 sacks. Perhaps 4 - 6 tackles of a loss. If these types of indecencies are inflicted on the Mizzou Tigers you’d expect that 2 - 4 turnover margins in the Raiders favor would occur as well.

4.       Big play equals big excitement. All of which equals getting the crowd rocking. To quote a recent coliseum  heavy movie and favorite of yours truly "Win the crowd" The Raider crater can generate its own kilowatts if the fans see four or five big plays. Doesn’t have to be a pass and catch but that’s what we have gotten used to the nerve endings are practiced, let’s just get that 50 yard burst.

5.       The officials are part of the landscape, what we don’t need on an ABC televised game is about 12 calls for holding, block in the back or a personal foul. A relatively clean game here by the old standard will do just nicely. Let’s just say 50 or fewer penalty yards in this one? Can we do this Raiders? I am so tired of watching an opponent get second and 19 turned into first and goal.

6.       The passing routineness needs a renaissance. Just catch the ball turn up field and break an arm tackle, the Mizzou Tigers are making a living tripping up folks on the edges.  If we get a Sticks start it wouldn’t hurt to see a few passes with some touch out ahead of the receivers.  The team YAC is really helped with a step or two on the defender. I know he,  either Stephen Sheffield or Taylor Potts is going to get chased around and the overall team speed of Mizzou favors them. Perhaps it can be turned against them,  I don’t know a counter trap  or shovel pass, not particular here folks just want to see  6 - 7.5 yards per carry or  reception for 4 quarters and no three and outs by this NASCAR scheme.

7.       Consistency, clarity of propose, emotion at the point of attack. When the Tigers have the ball it’s all important to  strike  a blow, lay out  a few blockers and  hit Mr. Gabbert. Yeah I know it not fashionable to talk about hits now, in fact it’s a violent sport and we can’t have  Blaine Gabbert running around picking up 11 yards every other 2nd and long. Stay in your lane get your hands up and put a lick on somebody.  Can Bobbie Agoucha get a TFL? Perhaps 2 in this game? As long as the Raiders keep slugging there is a chance  Mizzou won’t get 17 plus ahead. My enfeebled math skills tell me that when more than 2 scores down  its killing this team’s offensive MOJO. The desperation fact eliminates the creativeness and surprise factor the offense possess. The opponent defensive coaches start taking chances  I.e. they just let the D linemen T off and get up field. That’s not going to get it here.

8.       When  Tech gets a first down it’s really an either or situation. Either they just line up fast and run the  Baron Batch, Eric Stephen, Crawford handoff between the tackles or they throw them out to the wide receivers screen.  I know Neal Brown is new to the crater but  in this game against a ranked opponent it going to perhaps require a little patience. Let’s get to the  line and look at the coverage or let’s rush to the line and throw the  5 yard slant. I look for a tempo which kills.  Have not seen it demonstrated  but about 10 -12 series all year.

9.       Mizzou is quite capable of running off 45 points. The Raiders must erase 12 points and score 35 or more themselves.  We don’t need any 4th quarter blitzkrieg. We need to score 14 point per quarter, just say on the field and get Mizzou to play from behind.  If Mizzou kicks 3 FG’s we have a better than even chance to trip them up.

10.   Special teams wake up. Any combination of a blocked kick or a punt stripped  by Tech might be the game changer. I don’t think a Gary Pinkel coached team will have a hangover but they lost  3- 6 hours of real practice time traveling to Lubbock. You would think we would make it uncomfortable for them on the South plains.  I would say we are overdue for a scoop and score. Now that would be exciting. Crawford blocks one in each half.