Mizzou Game Discussion/Prediction Thread

[JH5]

BGSU (1-0) @ Mizzou (1-0) 7:00pm EST 9/12

Last week:
BG win vs. Troy 31-14

Mizzou win vs. Illinois 37-9. If any of you didn't watch the game, Mizzou RSFreshman QB Blaine Gabbert threw for 319 and 3TD and rushed for 39 and a touchdown. Gabbert looked good but Illinois' defense didn't cover well (too light of coverage) and didn't get much pressure so Gabbert just picked them apart. He certainly looked like a star in the making but at the same time looked like a freshman when he was hurried (which wasn't very often). Mizzou really didn't run the ball much but when they did it wasn't that effective besides one big run. Defensively Mizzou looked hungry but Illinois lost Benn in the first quarter (first drive I believe) and that really stalled their offense.


IMO this game is just as big for us as the Boise game. If we get a win here and then win at Marshall next weekend that sets us up for the Boise game with a ton of momentum which would be huge. I think the key to this game is really playing with the fire and passion that we played with last week. I think if we played an identical game as we did last week (in other words, preventing the other team's QB from getting on a big hot streak and making adjustments on defense) I really think we can beat them. The pressure will again be on Tyler to not make any mistakes that puts our defense in a bad position--we can't give Mizzou any easy points. I'd like to see our RB's be more effective but clearly our strength is in our passing game and I feel like we can exploit Mizzou's secondary.

What's interesting is that I think Troy and Mizzou are similar teams. Good receivers (watch out for Kemp for Mizzou) and a good QB, spread offense, decent RB's, good defenses. I would give the edge to Mizzou as far as offense goes and probably to Troy defensively. Overall I think Mizzou is probably a little better than Troy but if the two were to play it would be a close game IMO.

Prediction: Will be given later in the week.

[MarkL]

What's interesting is that I think Troy and Mizzou are similar teams. Good receivers (watch out for Kemp for Mizzou) and a good QB, spread offense, decent RB's, good defenses.

Bingo. After watching our game and then the Mizzou Illinois game I was thinking the exact same thing. We had to adjust after our first drive to tighten up coverage in the secondary, especially all those wide outs on the quick routes. If we start with tight coverage and succeed, we could possibly shut down the offense.

That being said, Mizzou has got to be a lot more talented and has much more depth than Troy. We'll see how the team does but I won't say any task is too much for this coaching staff based off what I've seen so far. Most anybody would pick a Mizzou blowout, especially after what they did to Illinois, but I'd say we've got a chance.

[jeffinsgf]

Hi Guys.

My wife is a Falcon and I'm a Tiger, so this weekend is going to be interesting. Shortly after we got married the first round of BGSU/MU match-ups came around, and with usual Big 12 braggadocio, I bought tickets to the game in Columbia knowing that I would be consoling her feelings for the afternoon.

We all know how that went.

But, after nine years of Pinkel-ball in Columbia, this is a vastly different Tiger team. A lot of fans are taking the game too lightly, but I truly doubt the coaching staff and the team are.

I found your bulletin board last night and enjoyed reading about some of the things my wife has told me about over the years. But I do have to raise a question regarding the "Gameday Experience" thread. Do you really need something more unique than Ay Ziggy Zoomba?

As for what your guys can expect...I saw that you had 14,000 for your game against Troy. There have already been 62,000 tickets sold for the game, and after the win over Illinois, the coach is on every radio and television show in the market trying to shame folks into turning out. It could top 70,000. Even at 60K, it's loud. The team has a chip on its shoulder, since we finished nationally ranked the last two years, but didn't make the top 25 this year, because of a few graduating seniors (and early draft guys).

For those of you making the trip, look for the couple in their 50's walking hand-in-hand, one in a Falcons t-shirt and the other in a MIZZOU shirt.

For those who have been watching Falcon football for a few years, my wife went to school with Phil Villipiano and dated one of his team mates.

[The Niz]

jeffinsgf- watched a lot of your game on Saturday. That Gabbert has a hell of a lot of talent. For our sake, hopefully he stays jittery under pressure from lineman like he was at the start of that game.

Oh and welcome aboard!

[jeffinsgf]

jeffinsgf- watched a lot of your game on Saturday. That Gabbert has a hell of a lot of talent. For our sake, hopefully he stays jittery under pressure from lineman like he was at the start of that game.

Oh and welcome aboard!

Thanks for the welcome. I thought Gabbert shook off the first game jitters pretty darn quick. I don't think they'll be back, but it could happen.

[JH5]

Thanks for the welcome. I thought Gabbert shook off the first game jitters pretty darn quick. I don't think they'll be back, but it could happen.

He's only a freshman and while he looked good, you can't expect 3 touchdowns and 0 picks every week. And it's not like Illinois got a ton of pressure on him either.. he had time in the pocket and when he didn't he could just scramble.

I'm not downplaying his performance or talent at all--he was a highly rated recruit coming out of high school and what he did to Illinois in his first game was very impressive. I'm just saying that he had very little pressure from Illinois' defense. That, and Mizzou was up for pretty much the entire game so he wasn't under any pressure to make plays. Once Benn was gone Illinois' offense was done. He didn't have to worry about doing too much. While I understand your guys' excitement for him, he's gonna have bumps in the road.

I think that's why BG has to really get off to a good start this week. If we have a few turnovers early and Mizzou gets up 14-0 I'm not sure we'll be able to recover no matter if we make adjustments or not. You guys just have too much talent for us to get behind. Now if we get out to an early lead, look out, because we've shown now that we can put teams away and I'm not so sure Gabbert will repeat what he did if he has pressure on him (both mental and physical).

[LowryFalcon]

I think the falcons really have a chance at Mizzou. We have beaten the Tigers twice in a row and yes it was a different team then and the tigers have changed now but so have the falcons. I believe that just from the first game this team is more balanced on both sides of the ball that I've ever personally seen. Last year we were really off balance with a decent offense who could produce once in awhile to par, but we had a failing defense. DC took that defense and in just a quick offseason really turned them around. DC has a team that troy couldn't figure out. The Falcon offense and defense looked so good against a fast, and good offense.

The Falcons have lots of experience playing in front of big crowds. I think 60-70k fans will be a big advantage to have but as long as the Falcons play their game then we have a perfect chance to notch a win. I think it should be a close game no matter what the outcome and I know after seeing the Falcons last week, that they will give all they got.

[Dayons_Den]

Jeff,

I am driving over to Columbia from KC Saturday morning with some friends. I noticed there will be some changes regarding tailgating around the stadium. Can you recommend a public access lot we can head to near the stadium where we can drink some beers and maybe grill without upsetting anyone or being overly heckled by drunken frat boys?

[mmisbg]

I'm going to take off the OrangeGoggles long enough to say that I'll be happy if BG just makes a game out of this Saturday. Mizzou looked pretty dang good IMO. We are going to have our hands full. Troy may have been good, but they are no Mizzou. If we don't get blown out, I'll be happy.

Having said that...Go Falcons! Beat the crap out of them!

[MACMAN]

lol on a side ya have to love that Troy got 1 vote in the polls for their loss.

[jeffinsgf]

Jeff,

I am driving over to Columbia from KC Saturday morning with some friends. I noticed there will be some changes regarding tailgating around the stadium. Can you recommend a public access lot we can head to near the stadium where we can drink some beers and maybe grill without upsetting anyone or being overly heckled by drunken frat boys?

Sorry, I really don't. We don't go to that many games and we don't tailgate (I know, weird, huh? My wife can't stand the dirty dishes and leftovers in the car during the game). We just park on campus and walk to the stadium. You apparently are more in the know than I am, regarding new tailgating regulations. Last year people were cooking all up and down Stadium Boulevard.

[jeffinsgf]

He's only a freshman and while he looked good, you can't expect 3 touchdowns and 0 picks every week. And it's not like Illinois got a ton of pressure on him either.. he had time in the pocket and when he didn't he could just scramble.....

Just to be clear, Gabbert is neither a RSfreshman or a freshman. He's a sophomore and got some playing time last year as a true freshman. He closed out several games in relief of Daniel.

Oh, and we don't expect 3-TD's and 0-INT's every week. We expect 5TD's and 0-INT's.

[bocomo]

I think the falcons really have a chance at Mizzou. We have beaten the Tigers twice in a row and yes it was a different team then and the tigers have changed now but so have the falcons. I believe that just from the first game this team is more balanced on both sides of the ball that I've ever personally seen. Last year we were really off balance with a decent offense who could produce once in awhile to par, but we had a failing defense. DC took that defense and in just a quick offseason really turned them around. DC has a team that troy couldn't figure out. The Falcon offense and defense looked so good against a fast, and good offense.

The Falcons have lots of experience playing in front of big crowds. I think 60-70k fans will be a big advantage to have but as long as the Falcons play their game then we have a perfect chance to notch a win. I think it should be a close game no matter what the outcome and I know after seeing the Falcons last week, that they will give all they got.

You are right about Missouri being improved from 2001 and 2002, but I don't see Urban Meyer on the sidelines or Josh Harris at QB so it is hard for me to see Bowling Green being improved from our previous two meetings. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for Sheehan and Clawson was really good at Richmond so I think your program is headed back in the right direction. I see a Bowling Green team that is improved from the last couple of seasons but is not any better than the 2002 version whereas Missouri is significantly better from that time in my opinion.

[Redwingtom]

lol on a side ya have to love that Troy got 1 vote in the polls for their loss.

Actually, I don't think the correct polls after Week 1 have been posted yet. There's simply no way Oklahoma would still be #3.

[ktrain]

This game is gonna be one where the running backs for BG will actually be a larger part of the win then the receivers and the special teams is gonna say what up. Mizzou is a tough team full of monsters however this isn't a 2002 BG team but a far more balanced team that will be tough to prepare for. That said...This will be a very fun game to watch from both ends... Roll ALong!!!!!