Missouri-Nevada: Day-After Reflections

Well that was fun. How good is this offense? Have you ever seen a team score and move the ball like this one? As an opposing defense, what weakness do you try to exploit? I didn't think it was possible but this offense seems to be markedly better than last year's.

Instead of just talking about how unstoppable this team looked, I'll point out a few more specific observations:

• First, I want to touch on the kU-South Florida game from Friday night. Amazing game. I would like to write that kansas got exposed in this one but that'd be a lie. They just got beat by a good team. And Todd Reesing, WOW. I know he made that boneheaded interception to end the game, but this guy came to play. I had always been in the camp that argues that Chase Daniel is in another league from Reesing, but that changed Friday. I still think Chase is better, but these guys are definitely in the same upper echelon of QBs. Dave Matter had a blurb in his blog that I couldn't agree more with (also be sure to check out J. Brady McCollough's Reesing profile from Friday's Star):

"I know Missouri fans don’t want to read this. I know they don’t want to believe this. And I know Missouri fans would never root for him unless he was playing against the Al-Qaeda All-Stars. But you have to appreciate Reesing, not just because he’s short and scrappy, but dude can play football.

"With absolutely no running game, an offensive line with two freshman tackles and his best receiver out with an injury, Reesing almost single-handedly pulled KU back from a 14-point deficit on the road against the most talented team in the Big East. His second touchdown pass, a classic scramble drill heave was nothing short of impressive.

"If I were starting a spread offense from scratch and could pick any college quarterback to run it, I’d go Chase Daniel first, Tim Tebow second, then Reesing."

• Sticking with kU for a moment, how marvelous was that beakers fan bowing his head in shame as the S. Florida fans celebrated around him? I'd have liked a freeze frame of that.

• Now onto Mizzou. We know the offense is great, so the obvious question is whether the defense was improved. And the answer is yes. It wasn't great but it was better than last week and a lot better than it was against Illinois. Nevada was able to score on a Hail Mary to end the first half and that was the only play of the game where I got really pissed. I don't know what happened on that play. I haven't been able to see a replay, but I'd think it was some sort of major miscommunication that allowed Nevada to pull that play off. In other words, it's a play that gets broken up 90 percent of the time. Throw that play out and this team only gives up 10 points in the first half and pitches a shutout in the second. Hard to complain about that. I'd give them a straight B.

• So the defense turned in a solid performance. But you wouldn't be able to tell that if you were listening to some of the Mizzou fans in section NN of the student section. I'm calling these guys out, especially the kid with the jean shorts who was sitting three rows in front of me. First off, get rid of the jorts. Secondly, stop losing it every time the defense gives up a first down. I understand everyone's concerned about what will happen come Big 12 play. But for crying out loud, step away from the cliff! You should never be screaming in frustration when your team's up over 50 points.

• A couple more things to keep in mind about this defense: This is a bend, but don't break D. I'd love this to be a big, physical Oklahoma-type defense but the fact of the matter is, it isn't. It strives on forcing turnovers and keeping teams out of the end zone. But it's going to give up yards. If we were trying to play smashmouth football, then this would be concerning. But that's not the nature of college football any more. The other thing to remember is this defense is on the field A LOT. Mizzou gets murdered in the time of possession every single week. That's what happens when you're usually able to score in under three and a half minutes.

• Speaking of the changing nature of college football, is there a less important statistic than the time of possession? Interesting when you consider how critical it is in the NFL. College football has drastically changed over the last 10 years and Mizzou is a perfect example of how. Four years ago I would've said a team couldn't win a National Championship with a defense like the Tigers have. But now? I think you can. This is a speed game. Very few teams try to overpower opponents.

• Was I the only one that was pissed that so many starters on defense were on the field so late in the fourth quarter? Weatherspoon was out there with under three minutes left. The game was well in-hand and the field was wet and conducive to slipping and spraining an ankle (or worse). Does the name Brian Smith ring any bells? Tell Spoon and Co. to grab a Gatorade and enjoy their view from the bench.

• There's really not anyone on the offense I wasn't impressed, with but Tommy Saunders and Jared Perry were particularly pleasant surprises. I think we all expected Perry to return to his '06 form, but Saunders has taken his game to another level that I don't think anyone saw coming. He already has two more touchdowns than last season and had a career high in receiving yards yesterday. He also got credit for a touchdown pass after that fake FG yesterday. Don't overlook how important these guys have been in establishing that offensive invincibility.

• Good to see Danario Alexander back in action. He didn't see a lot of playing time, but he was able to make a catch. I'm glad he was able to get in this week and will be able to work that rust off against Buffalo instead of being thrown into the fire against Nebraska. Wonder what adding a 6-5 speed demon to this offense will do.

• I'm not sure if this nickname has been used for Danario yet or not but I heard it and loved it: Super Danario. Credit goes to my buddy Max for that one.