Captain Kirkwood's Pep Talk: Missouri Felines

Are you alright? Do you need another tissue? Are you done whining? I sure hope so because "Never Daunted" means, NEVER. DAUNTED.

Especially not now. Not with our backs against the wall. Not heading into SEC country! Here's a few nuggets to try and coax you fickle fans back onto the bandwagon. Let's flippin' go.

1. Anything You Can Do, Coleman Can Do Better:

(photo credit: columbiamissourian.com)

I'm talking to YOU Toledo and and South Dakota State running backs! If Missouri's run defense gave up over 150 yards and 3 TDs to Toledo's top RB and over 100 yards and 2 TDs to South Dakota State's, what in the world is the running back averaging the most yards per game and ranked fourth in TDs going to do...

2. Revenge is a Dish Best Served...Saturday?

Suddy was awful last year against Mizzou. But there's reason to hope he'll rebound this year. Missouri's defense is 83rd in the country in pass defense. Opposing QBs are completing 60% of their attempts and averaging a 108 QB Rating against the kitty kats. That's not good. So if Mizzou concentrates on the run and leaves their already suspect pass defense vulnerable...

3. So You're Tellin' Me There's a Chance!

(photo credit: muckfizzou.com)

"But it's all going to come down to the defense," you say. "It'll be a firefight, and we'lll end up short," you say. Well guess what? Vegas knows some things you don't. Maybe that's why the line for this game (13.5 in favor of Mizzou) is so much closer than many anticipated. Thus far, Missouri has faced the 113 ranked defense (Toledo), the 89 defense (UCF) and an FCS team. Every one is all over Maty "Mullets Are My Thing" Mauk like he's the new, cute kid in class. Well against that less than stellar competiton I just described, the fact is, Missouri is ranked 87th in passing offense. 87. It's science. Look it up. If the Hoosiers can do a better job of containing the mobile Mauk than officers were able to do when he fled the scene of a crime on a moped, we're in business.

Mizzou is pretty mediocre in rushing offense (47) for a grand total offensive ranking that comes out to 80th in the country...after playing Toledo, UCF and South Dakota State. Now, Indiana's defense looked awful in the second half last week, but they're still techically the best defense Mizzou has faced all year (ranked 57). Ludicrous, I know.

All I'm saying, is while defense is always Indiana's weakness, this week (on paper) our defense (ranked 57) is favored over Missouri's offense (ranked 80).

So yea, I'm telling you there's a chance.

Hoosiers: 38 Mizzou: 31

Never Daunted. Not Ever.

@CappinKirkwood