Scouting Missouri - The Tiger Defense

by ccmachine on Oct 21, 2010 2:42 PM CDT in Oklahoma Sooners Football

The old saying goes, "Stats don't lie" and the stats show that Missouri is the best team in the Big 12 in scoring defense. The Tigers are only allowing 10.8 points per game through the first the first six games of the season and are gaining more and more attention to a defensive unit that traditionally has been the cause of scrutiny. However, its also an in-depth look at the stats that helps to build a confident offensive game plan against the Tigers.

	DE Brad Madison 13 Tkls/4 Sks	DT Terrell Resonno 17 Tkls/1 Sk	DT Dominique Hamilton 20 Tkls/1.5 Sks	DE Jacquies Smith 18 Tkles/2 Sks
CB Kevin Rutland 22 Tkls/2 Sks/2 Ints						CB Carl Gettis 26 Tkls/1 Int
	LB Luke Lambert 17 Tkls/1 Sk		LB Zavier Gooden 40 Tkls/1 Sk		LB Will Ebner 15 Tkls
		S Kenji Jackson 35 Tkls/2 Ints		S Jarrell Harrison 39 Tkls

The Tigers are ultra aggressive on defense. They are one of the best teams in the nation at getting after the quarterback. The Tigers have registered a total of 20 sacks (3.3 per game) and are unapologetically going to be in the backfield all day long. The end result has been productive for the Tiger defense. In addition to the aforementioned points allowed per game, they've also produced 9 interceptions and recovered 5 fumbles.

Linebacker Zaviar Gooden leads the Tiger defense in total tackles with 40. If defensive end Aldon Smith isn't able to make it on to the field then the name that will most likely be mentioned the most along the line is Brad Madison who leads the team in sacks. You also don't want to lose sight of corners Kevin Rutland and Carl Gettis. The Tigers are going to come after Landry Jones and leave these two corners on islands against Kenny Stills and Ryan Broyles.

Now, for what the stats show as far as game planning goes is something that should cause Sooner fans to be optimistic. The Tigers are third in the conference against the rush and fifth against the pass. Keep in mind that Illinois had one player run for 112 yards and another for 76 against the Tigers and San Diego State had a kid go for 228 on the ground and the Tigers.

When you have a defense that plays ultra aggressive like the Tigers do you can exploit that with a strong and fast running game if you have the personnel to do so. That's where I see Oklahoma starting their attack. With DeMarco Murray between the tackles and the bouncing outside followed by some screens to Madu, Broyles or Finch and then finally the flair passes to the outside to test the speed. That's a lot for the Tigers to have to defend and once you bring the defense up then you start to work the deep ball.

Granted, its a lot easier said than done but I think bottom line against this defense is if you protect the quarterback and protect the ball you'll come out ahead. Stat wise this Tiger defense is behind Texas in both rushing and pass defense and that worked out pretty well for the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl. This all means that in my opinion this game comes down to Oklahoma's defense against the Missouri offense. We'll discuss that tomorrow.

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Comments

I don't want to see Landry

get a big case of Happy Feet. Should LJ not be able to settle down or the line can’t protect and the Happy Feet do emerge it will be painful to watch. If the line can protect for 3 seconds he can get quality shots to any of the receivers. Do this several times successfully and the Tigers aggressiveness become Meow.

I would first smack Mizzou with a heavy dose of Murray, Finch, and the Bruiser Millard. Forget eh sideways stuff, up the middle, just off tackle and make them pay with a couple passes to Hannah. I am expecting a tough game because it is Columbia.

Sooner teams have struggled there before but I’m thinking this Sooner team is different. They have shown a lot of resilience at home and on the road. It also helps that the break is over with a good game under the belt and this group seems to be improving.

by scarab on Oct 21, 2010 3:05 PM CDT reply actions

Well I think

The sideways stuff if the best cure for Bad Landry and I think the coaches have clearly figured that out. Our offensive passing game is like 85% swing passes, so that prevents Landry from having to stand in the pocket and make reads. Not saying I love it, but I’ll take a swing passes all night long if it gets us a national championship!

"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz

by Jordan Esco on Oct 21, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I think

Ruuning outside the tackles — inside of too deep d-ends — is probably better than the middle where Missouri has two 6’5 300lbs+ tackles

by mpfische on Oct 21, 2010 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions

You could have two

10 ft. 800 lb. tackles and our o-coordinator would still try and run right at them. He’s not the brighest crayon in the drawer when it comes to such things.

"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz

by Jordan Esco on Oct 21, 2010 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Not unlike

Missouri’s love for bubble screens even if they’re being sniffed out five yards deep

by mpfische on Oct 21, 2010 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

+1 on KW

and though every one knows the drag screen and the bubble screen is coming no one has totally stopped it.

One thing for KW, he can make up a game plan and good ones at that, it’s just sometimes his good plans don’t work as well as planned. I really think he was leaving one step off a lot of his previous plans and was the ‘keep foot on throttle’ step. Hopefully that step is included in this weeks game plan.

by scarab on Oct 21, 2010 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes!

All our players know is one speed and one type of offense – no huddle. I hate when we go to that stupid “prevent” offense. It prevents nothing! It just prevents a dominate Sooner win is all.

by soonergal5 on Oct 21, 2010 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Cover Broyles one on one?

Sounds like a death wish to me.

Broyles isn’t superman but some days he comes close.

I’d be surprised if they let a corner try to cover him on a regular basis.

mjc

by quidveritas on Oct 21, 2010 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

+1

I know they’re very confident in their corners, but if that’s their plan then I LOVE our chances on Saturday

"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz

by Jordan Esco on Oct 21, 2010 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

I understand why you feel that way...

But Missouri did shut down A&M’s Fuller one-on-one until the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach and Fuller isn’t a slouch. He might be the second best receiver in the Big 12. I also think that its important to understand Missouri’s scheme. The idea is to cover Broyles 1 on 1 for a couple of seconds and to have immense pressure on the quarterback so that no pass can be made after a few seconds. If Missouri can’t get to the QB, of course Broyles will get free.

by mpfische on Oct 21, 2010 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

interesting scheme

what about the kenney, murray, broyles combo and all lined up on the same side of the field with a TE running a short curl and broyles running a drag screen from the same side, Murray across the middle about 20 deep, kenney deep, and finch running a play action pattern, on 3

by scarab on Oct 21, 2010 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Who knows....

All i can say is that the key to missouri’s defense is defensive ends and corners….the ends are VERY quick and strong….especially with Aldon Smith back….they will even put him in at LB to spy Murray if he gets going….you make mizzou’s d-ends invisible you will beat missouri’s d

by mpfische on Oct 21, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions