Sunday, December 7, 2008, 08:44 AM EST
[
General]
Is Oklahoma that good or is Mizzou's defense that BAAADDD??!!
The answer is both, but I still think Texas would beat Oklahoma head to head in a rematch.
While Mizzou's offense has risen to the level of the elite schools like Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Florida and Texas Tech, it is very clear the defense is one of the worst in the country.
Old Larry Smith defenses were better than this squad of untrained talent. Still young, much of the defense could be groomed into an elite defense on par with LSU and Florida and USC. But only if Gary Pinkel does something he has refused to do... Hire a better defensive coordinator.
Matt Eberflus is in his eighth year as defensive coordinator and his third with the title of associate head coach at Mizzou. The 2007 season marked Eberflus' 16th season under Gary Pinkel, and his ninth campaign coaching defensive backs.
While he may be great at recruiting and executing Pinkel's vision, he has not been able to make Mizzou's defense more than a "on paper" elite. Playing a light schedule the last few years has only added to this problem. But when faced with REAL competition, the defense folds like a poorly stacked deck of cards.
In 2007, Eberflus' defense was at, or near, the top of the Big 12 in nearly every major defensive category. For his efforts, Eberflus was twice recognized as the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week. This is not good news, Tiger fans. This kind of garbage only happens against horrible teams and has no real substance with regard to Mizzou's real defensive capabilities.
If Missouri HAD a defense, they wouldn't have been down 38-7 at the half against Oklahoma. They wouldn't have been in the same situation against Texas. They wouldn't be asking the same questions EVERY year.
Say what you want about the Longhorn and Sooner defenses, they shut down our high powered offense. 21 points in a 62-point blowout mean nothing, despite Stoops' antics on the sideline.
21 points with a defense that could have held Oklahoma to 21 points in regulation would have been acceptable. Actually, 21 points in a 28-21 game would have been perfectly okay with me. At least that shows some respectability.
Mr. Pinkel, just spouting stats that mean nothing and only pad your longtime friend Eberflus do nothing to make Mizzou a REAL elite team. Next year, you'll be lucky not to lose the North to Nebraska which will actually have a defense next year.
This much is clear from the second Big 12 Championship game: Mizzou is NOT as good as Oklahoma, or Texas either, which in my opinion are the two best teams in the country.
Mizzou also had NO BUSINESS in the Big 12 title game. Not even the 3rd best team in the conference, Mizzou benefited from a weak North Division that WILL be much better next year.
There is not one good reason Mizzou should be a four-loss team this year with the talent on both sides of the ball.
It's time Pinkel does something about it. The time is NOW.
Unless of course Tiger fans, you like being just good enough to make a mediocre bowl outside the BCS every year.
I'm not one of those fans.
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