Missouri Tigers Face Tough Task In College Station
The 2014 Missouri Tigers have had an up-and-down season to this point but still control their own destiny as they have a one game lead over Georgia in the SEC East. This week, the Tigers travel to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies who are fresh off of a huge upset win against the Auburn Tigers.
Outside of two let downs the Tigers have given up this season (Georgia, and heart breaker vs. Indiana) they’ve been a pretty consistent team, grabbing two big wins on the road against Florida and South Carolina.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers on the road this week either, Kyle Field is one of the toughest places to play in the country and it’s been that way for quite a while. For Mizzou, the biggest key to their success will be stopping the Aggies rushing attack, allowing their ferocious pass rush to get after A&M quarterback, Kyle Allen.
Side Note: Kenny Hill is eligible to play this game after completing his two game suspension. No word yet on how much playing time he will see yet.
Missouri’s defense has 30 sacks through nine game this season. The Tigers have been lead by junior defensive end, Shane Ray who leads the team with 12 sacks that rank him among the best in the country. Markus Golden has had a quiet season as many thought he would have been the one to lead the Tigers in that category.
Either way, the strength of the Missouri defense is off the edges and forcing the Aggies to throw more than they have to gives these two studs more opportunities.
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For the Tigers offense, its imperative that they establish a solid run game early and often. Limiting the pressure on Maty Mauk has been the key to his success this season as the sophomore quarterback is only completing 52.4% of his passes and has thrown 9 interceptions.
Mauk has flashed some serious talent at times this season but for the most part, when the run game isn’t effective, he’s struggled to make plays. That’s why Marcus Murphy and Russell Hansbrough will have to be effective on the ground. The Aggies defense has struggled this season to stop teams from rushing the ball, especially in conference play.
Murphy is a guy who can hurt you from any where on the field, just ask Florida. Getting the one-two punch of Murphy and Hansbrough will also open things up for Mauks favorite target, Bud Sasser. He leads the Tigers in receiving with 49 receptions for 618 yards and seven touchdowns. The A&M defense is vulnerable deep, and even more so if the opposing teams run game is effective.
Missouri’s one game lead over Georgia isn’t safe only because their next two games are on the road. Losing this week to the Aggies could be the end of their hopes of another shot in the SEC Championship game. The following week, the Tigers must travel to Tennessee which isn’t an easy place to play either.
Missouri will certainly have their hands full this week in what’s considered a must win situation. It doesn’t help that it’s in their house either, making this a tall task for the Tigers to face. We’ll just have to see how it all plays out.