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Mizzou / Buffalo Preview

Aug 30, 2024 | Football Gameday

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Mizzou’s upcoming matchup against the University at Buffalo Bulls promises to be an exciting test for the Tigers, who are riding high after a 51-0 win over Murray State. Mizzou showcased a lethal combination of offense and defense, with standout performances from quarterback Brady Cook, who threw for 218 yards and scored three total touchdowns, and cornerback Toriano Pride Jr., who made a key interception for a touchdown.

On the other hand, the Buffalo Bulls, fresh from a convincing 31-13 win over Lafayette, will look to challenge the Tigers with their balanced attack. Buffalo’s quarterback, Cole Snyder, led his team with two touchdown passes, while running back Ron Cook Jr. provided a solid ground game. Defensively, linebacker Shaun Dolac has been a force, recording multiple tackles for loss against Lafayette. Buffalo’s defense will be key in containing Mizzou’s high-powered offense, especially with the pressure they bring from their front line.

When looking at the two teams, Missouri has the edge historically, but Buffalo will not be a pushover. This game presents an intriguing clash of styles. Mizzou’s high-tempo offense and stout defense will look to exploit any weaknesses in Buffalo’s lineup. However, Buffalo’s resilience and ability to execute in clutch situations could pose a significant challenge to Missouri’s aspirations of continuing their winning streak.

Fans can expect Missouri to leverage their speed and playmaking ability to keep Buffalo on the back foot, particularly through explosive plays from key players like wide receiver Luther Burden III. Meanwhile, Buffalo will try to control the pace with its balanced attack, aiming to grind out yards and sustain long drives that test the endurance of Missouri’s defense. The Bulls will also hope to capitalize on any turnovers or mistakes made by the Tigers, using their seasoned defense to flip the script against the SEC contender.

In terms of head-to-head, Missouri is favored, given their depth and overall talent, but Buffalo has proven capable of pulling off surprises, especially with their determined approach and disciplined gameplay. The upcoming showdown will test both teams’ mettle, providing a thrilling spectacle for fans as Missouri looks to continue its early-season momentum while Buffalo aims to cement their status as formidable challengers. Expect a high-energy game with plenty of strategic plays, as both teams vie for victory under the spotlight. This is a must-watch contest for college football enthusiasts eager to see if Missouri can assert dominance or if Buffalo will rise to the occasion and deliver an upset.

Get ready for a battle where every yard counts and every play matters! Missouri will aim to build on their impressive start, but Buffalo’s grit and hunger could make this an unforgettable encounter​

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Commute: Exhibition Hoops and Football Watch Party at Mizzou Arena

Oct 17, 2024 | , ,


The Morning Commute for Thursday, October 17

Welcome to the Morning Commute

Today we’re talking about some Mizzou Hoops!

SEC Basketball Media Days has wrapped up, which means college hoops season is right around the corner.

Mizzou Men’s Basketball will open the regular season on November 4th at Memphis, but the Tigers will be playing a game earlier than that.

It was previously reported that Missouri would host Lincoln University on Saturday, October 26th, but it was made official by Mizzou Hoops today.

It’s free admission, and there will also be a watch party at Mizzou Arena for the Mizzou-Alabama football game

Tip-off will be two hours prior to the Mizzou-Alabama game, which will kick-off at either 2:30 or 3:15. More info available at MUTigers.com.

For more coverage on hoops, Sam Snelling and Matthew Harris discussed preseason expectations for Missouri Basketball on the latest episode of Dive Cuts.

Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+

“If you hadn’t seen/heard, Auburn Coach Hugh Freeze held his Monday media presser and tried to hand a compliment down to Mizzou’s Eliah Drinkwitz. However, it didn’t come out quite right, because when he complimented Drink for doing a great job of building the program, he said that Drink has done so despite having a “lesser roster in recruiting.”

Perhaps some bulletin board material for Mizzou Football on Homecoming?

“Despite an early loss, every Mizzou goal remains on the table for the Tigers at this point. That will not be the case if they drop this game to a stumbling Auburn team.”

This is a must-win game for Mizzou as these programs are heading in the opposite directions.

“This is a chance for Drinkwitz and his Tigers to make a statement on how the rest of this year goes. Just win.”

Get it done on Homecoming.

“He has to commit to doing things his top competitors will be willing to do. If he does, Aidan can genuinely deliver on the promise that he’s had since he first pledged to the Tigers three years ago.”

Read up on Aidan Shaw on our latest Mizzou Hoops player preview — who is looking to live up to his potential entering a pivotal junior season.

“Drink and company spoke to reporters as per usual on Tuesday, highlighting what was important about their next opponent.”

Read what Drinkwitz, Chris McClellan, Joshua Manning, and Joseph Charleston had to say on Tuesday’s media day.

“The Missouri Tigers jumped to No. 19 in this week’s AP Top 25 after a 45-3 win over UMass. The win marked the Tigers last game of their non-conference slate, and was described as a rebound game after a tough loss to Texas A&M.”

Marcus Carroll and Sterling Webb were highlighted in the 45-3 win over UMass.

“My Results: Vanderbilt Commodores — 12th in Conference, 7-11”

Vanderbilt is the latest on our SEC Basketball Team Previews — where Sam predicts the Commodores to place 12th in the league with a 7-11 conference record.

“Best Bets now sits at 14-8 with our total picks record at an even 20-20-1. Let’s jump right into making you some money in Week 8!”

Nathan gives his betting insight on the Week 8 College Football slate, which of course includes the Mizzou-Auburn game.

“While the 8-minute press conference didn’t last long, we learned plenty about the areas of emphasis for her roster and her mentality heading into the season. Here are three quick things we learned from Mizzou’s time in Birmingham.”

Some quotes from Mizzou WBB Head Coach Robin Pingeton at SEC Media Days.

The 2024 Mizzou Football season is one that has been met with as much anticipation as any in recent memory. With Eli Drinkwitz’s program taking a huge step forward in the 2023 season, going 11-2 and securing a Cotton Bowl victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, there’s a renewed focus on what Missouri can do to put itself in the conversation for a berth in the College Football Playoff.

The digital magazine we present today is 115 pages chalk full of Mizzou Football previewing, scouting, interviewing, and more…

Rock M Radio: BTBS Auburn Preview with Nate Edwards and Nathan Hurst

Subscribe to Rock M Radio on Apple Podcasts. Or stream episodes through Megaphone or Spotify. Have a question for us? Leave a 5-star review with your question and that show just might answer it in an upcoming episode!

If you like Rock M Radio drop us a Review and be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow @RockMRadio on Twitter and if you heaven’t already head over to our YouTube channel and click that subscribe button!

  • (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)

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Week 7 Analytics MVPs: New running back impresses, a roster hopeful steps up on defense

Oct 16, 2024 | ,

Missouri running back Marcus Carroll (9) makes a catch during the first half of a game against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Faurot Field. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

You probably could have guessed the MVP on the offensive side of the ball but a certain defensive player put up his best numbers of the season.

The Missouri Tigers jumped to No. 19 in this week’s AP Top 25 after a 45-3 win over UMass. The win marked the Tigers last game of their non-conference slate, and was described as a rebound game after a tough loss to Texas A&M.

The offense spread the ball to a variety of players, and amongst those players one clearly dominated the touch spread. Defensively, after picking up just nine pressures as a unit last week the defense upped the ante and picked up 15 against the Minutemen. Additionally, after allowing Connor Weigman to complete virtually all of his aimed passes the Tigers only allowed Taisun Phommachanh to complete 65.3% of his last week.

The Tigers had four players on defense pick up a grade of 80 or higher last week, a stark difference in comparison to the mere two in the last two games combined.

Marcus Carroll | Running Back

Marcus Carroll had a chance to step up large with the absence of Nate Noel due to what head coach Eli Drinkwitz described as “back strains from the plane ride” and boy did he. At face value, Carroll picked up 15 carries for 91 yards and three scores, the three scores exceeding his output from the entire season prior to the game.


After a bubbly showing with 4.29 yards after contact per rush against Murray State, that after contact yardage wasn’t coming for Carroll after that game. However, Carroll seems to have found his groove thanks to increased touches as he picked up a healthy 2.8 yards after contact per rush against the Minutemen. He also picked up his highest breakaway percentage since the season opener at 38.5%, a lot closer to the 37.5% he picked up last season at Georgia State.

The play I’m going to highlight this week is his 35 yard touchdown, which was coincidentally his longest rush of the season. At around the 1:30 mark of the video, he hits the gap on the left of the line with explosive speed and the most impressive thing for me is his ability to use his vision to turn this into a touchdown. This could easily have been a 20-25 yard run without the vision, but he cuts to the outside and uses his fantastic elusiveness to break tackles en route to the score. Some people across the country said that run was Schrader-like, with the way he rumbles through the line and I’d have to agree.

Sterling Webb | Defensive Line

Sterling Webb had his best performance of the season by far and what was even more impressive is that he did it in just 19 snaps. After not picking up a single pressure the entire season, Webb picked up five against the Minutemen.


Webb ranked first in the country in pressures per snap among linemen with at least 15 snaps, which is incredible considering some of the numbers people put up this past week. Webb was in the 95th percentile of college football in HHS, and his analytics are even more impressive considering he didn’t pick up a single solo tackle. Analytically, especially for the defensive line the impact one can make extends beyond base statistics.

I tried to scan for film on Webb’s impact in particular, but wasn’t able to find anything concrete. Coming in from New Mexico State, Webb’s main calling card was the success he had at generating pressure under Jerry Kill, and his lack of a role this season has been a bit surprising. Although a performance akin to the one he had at UMass might be in order, and more playing time at that.

Legend

Running Backs

Breakaway: An RBs ability to break a run loose in space.

Elusiveness: An RBs ability to miss tackles in open space.

After Contact: An RBs ability to get yards after contact.

Security: An RBs fumble rate.

Protection: Yards Before Contact, this is used as a measure to see how good the protection a RB gets is, and is a hindrance in the RB VAT formula.

Drops: An RB’s drop rate.

Route Run: An RB’s yards per route run, often shows how good an RB is at route running.

TD/ATT: An RB’s ratio of touchdowns to rushing attempts.

YPA: An RB’s yards per attempt.

Interior Defensive Line

Pass Rush: Pass Rush Score, comprised of various pass rushing stats and factors

Run Defense: Run Defense Score, comprised of various run defense stats and factors

Stops: On a first down, if the offense gets 45% of the way to a first down or less.

On a second down, if the offense gets 60% of the way to a first down or less.

On a third or fourth down, if the offense doesn’t get a first down.

HHS: Hits, Hurries, and Sacks generated

Efficiency: Overall Defensive Efficiency

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Commute: Mizzou Football at Alabama game-time on October 26th TBD, other news and notes

Oct 15, 2024 | , ,


The Morning Commute for Tuesday, October 15

Welcome to the Morning Commute

Today we’re talking about xx.

The first order of business is taking care of Auburn in their Homecoming game on Saturday, but Mizzou’s October 26th game at No. 7 Alabama could very well determine the Tigers’ College Football Playoff fate.

Mizzou vs Alabama in Tuscaloosa is still TBD, but it will be either 2:30, 3:15, or 6:30 p.m. CST on ABC or the SEC Network.

Here’s the rest of the SEC TV schedule for that Saturday:

In volleyball news, Mizzou had a successful 3-0 week at Hearnes — and the Tigers were well represented with conference player of the week honors. Jordan Iliff was named both SEC Player of the Week and SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

For the second time this season, Marina Crownover has been named SEC Setter of the Week.

And it’s that time of year for College Basketball. Mizzou Hoops respectfully comes in at No. 53 in KenPom’s preseason projections. The Tigers are also predicted to finish 13th in the SEC Preseason poll.

On the women’s side, the Tigers have been predicted to finish 15th in the league.

Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+

“BUT after last week’s marvelous fall from No. 9 to No. 21 in the Associated Press poll, it’s nice to see upward movement again, even if it’s slight.”

Mizzou moves up two spots to No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

“Adding three tackles is the cherry on top of Flagg’s most important contribution yet as a Tiger.”

Corey Flagg Jr. comes in at No. 1 in this latest MV3 after his performance against UMass.

“While the result in Texas was frustrating, it’s still a good time to be happy with the state of the team and program as a whole. Right now, I will enjoy the team for what it is, not get mad at what it isn’t.”

Dan with reasonable thoughts after Mizzou’s win over UMass.

“f those things were to happen, Mizzou’s “don’t back down” talent from Tallahassee will quickly become a fan favorite.”

Our latest Mizzou Hoops player preview features Anthony Robinson II who enters his sophomore season.

“But on Saturday in Amherst, they looked like they needed to look. They took care of business.

To me, that counts for something.”

Mizzou did what they needed to do at UMass.

“My Results: Georgia Bulldogs — 14th in Conference, 6-12”

Read up on Georgia on our latest SEC Hoops team preview — where Sam predicts them 14th in the league with a 6-12 conference record.

Some great pics from Cal on volleyball and fall softball!

The 2024 Mizzou Football season is one that has been met with as much anticipation as any in recent memory. With Eli Drinkwitz’s program taking a huge step forward in the 2023 season, going 11-2 and securing a Cotton Bowl victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, there’s a renewed focus on what Missouri can do to put itself in the conversation for a berth in the College Football Playoff.

The digital magazine we present today is 115 pages chalk full of Mizzou Football previewing, scouting, interviewing, and more…

Rock M Radio: Taking care of business against UMass with Nate Edwards and Nathan Hurst

Subscribe to Rock M Radio on Apple Podcasts. Or stream episodes through Megaphone or Spotify. Have a question for us? Leave a 5-star review with your question and that show just might answer it in an upcoming episode!

If you like Rock M Radio drop us a Review and be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow @RockMRadio on Twitter and if you heaven’t already head over to our YouTube channel and click that subscribe button!

  • (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)

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