GatewayRedbirds.com

Vahe Gregorian ‏@vgregorian
Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel says Franklin and C Mitch Morse likely out for Bama

Dave Matter ‏@Dave_Matter
Pinkel: Strained MCL for James Franklin, out two weeks

It just keeps on [expletive] coming. Not that Franklin would've made any difference in the outcome vs. Alabama next week but I was at least hoping they'd give a respectable showing. That's much less likely now.

Vanderbilt? Seriously?

This is such a dumb season. The defense wrecks shop until the repeated 3 and outs from the offense wear them out. Every time we approach 50% of our predicted offensive starting lineup, someone different gets hurt. And even then, we outgained Vandy by 100, didn't lose in turnover margin or penalty yards, and were more effective on 3rd downs. But we dropped a punt in the end zone and botched an XP snap, which with normal execution would have Mizzou in FG range for a game winner on their last drive. I'll even leave out my editorial on Vandy's scoring drives coinciding with some awful curious officiating. Most frustrating loss in quite a while, because that was truly self-inflicted.

A team that can't beat Vanderbilt is a team that might go 0-8 in conference. That home game vs. Kentucky is probably the only conference game Missouri might be even money in at this point.

Pinkel ought to go.
He can't gameplan. He can't make adjustments.
He can't get the right players on the field(Mauk, DGB when not suspended).
Franklin and Berkstreeker can't hit anybody outside bubble screens or 4 yard slants.

The betting opened with Alabama as 17 point favorites. I would have bet a vomit inducing amount of money on them at that line. Already up to 22 and that's still pretty attractive. I can't imagine a single scenario where this game is even close. If Berkstresser wants to stand in the pocket and play hero he might get himself killed this week.

Weird things happen on the road, and Bama's only road game thus far was against the dumpster fire masquerading as Arkansas football. I wouldn't bet Mizzou against the spread, but I have an inclination that Mizzou is going to either lose this game by 3 points or 48.

Transmogrified Tiger wrote:Weird things happen on the road, and Bama's only road game thus far was against the dumpster fire masquerading as Arkansas football. I wouldn't bet Mizzou against the spread, but I have an inclination that Mizzou is going to either lose this game by 3 points or 48.

I was completely wrong in how competitive I thought Mizzou would be this year. Their offense, even without the injuries, is atrocious. Vandy has an underrated D, but still. They simply can't move the ball when they need to against anyone with a pulse.

I'd bet it's closer to 48. Alabama's M-O has always been to stop the offense and wear the other team down on defense and they're the best at it. Far better at it than Georgia which did precisely that and despite it seeming close, still won by 21. Mizzou's offense has to keep their defense off the field or it's going to be a long, long day and I don't see any way that happens. Berkstresser doesn't really inspire fear downfield and he's not a huge running threat so Alabama can crowd the box and completely stuff all the gimmicky slants/screens/bubble routes and running plays and be perfectly safe..... Before the year, I thought this would be a good game to pick as an upset because of the mobility and options Franklin brought to the table but at this point, I just hope Berkstresser survives the game.

Alabama can write whatever score they want.

I don't think anyone can really hang with Alabama this year. That offensive line is just ridiculously good. It doesn't matter who runs the ball when you can get five yards a pop before even getting touched.

It sure seems like we do this every year to some team(last year it was LSU), and then by November that team has inevitably had a week where they choke on their tongue and either lose or look susceptible for future weeks. Bama is a deserving #1, but they've beaten a decent Michigan team and played hot garbage in every other week. I'm real hesitant to label them as an unstoppable force.