Join Mizzou beat writer Dave Matter for his live chat at 11 a.m. Thursday
Bring your Tigers football, basketball and recruiting questions, and talk to Dave Matter in a live chat at 11 a.m. Thursday.
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So much for no more Drinkwitz zingers, right? First, though, he was really jabbing himself because he pointed out he's 0-2 against the Vols and wondered - jokingly - if those results will be reversed. He was clearly taking shots at Pruitt and the old Tennessee regime - not Josh Heupel and the current Vols. But I imagine folks in Knoxville won't make that distinction. I see no harm, no foul.
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Even though most coaches rail against playing two QBs, I think in Mizzou’s case it could work to their advantage because Cook and Macon have such different strengths. Starting Cook and bringing Macon in for a couple of series each half would.pressure the defense to adjust.
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What are their different strengths? If you say running ability, I'd make the case Cook and Macon are pretty similar in terms of speed and athleticism. Cook doesn't get enough credit for his abilities as an athlete and runner. And I'd say based on the small sample sizes we've seen, he's a much better passer. So, unless one of them has changed their games/strengths dramatically, I don't see a huge upside in rotating them.
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Chatter where? I've interviewed a lot of players and can't say I've picked up on that. In reality, when you've got a team of more than 100 players there's always going to be cliques to some degree. Was everyone in the locker room happy last year? Well, I'd hope not for a 6-7 team. Guys should have been frustrated by the results. I just don't buy into that talk much. Show me a company or an office setting where everyone gets along with everyone all the time. It doesn't happen. Teams have to come together on the field but don't have to be best friends off the field.
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Last years MU football finished 6-6 in the regular season and this years team is supposed to be “deeper and more talented,” so why is it that expectations are so low. Did the other teams on the schedule get that much better than Mizzou? Bazelak played on one leg for much of the season surely someone on the roster can do what he did and likely better. Predictions of 5-7 and 6-6 seem low based on depth and talent on the team?
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Well, let's be clear. It's the head coach who says the team is deeper and more talented - and he's not out there saying Mizzou will be 6-6 and finish sixth in the East. I'm not saying they're the most talented team he's had - or the deepest. But he can measure that better than I can.In terms of the rest of the SEC East, yes, I think it's fair to say everyone has improved. Tennessee has its QB back and major pieces back from a record-setting offense. Kentucky reloads from year to year - and has its QB back. South Carolina returns solid pieces - and added a high-profile QB. Florida is a bit overrated, in my opinion. But Anthony Richardson might be the most talented QB in the East. The one team that will probably take a step back - but not by much - is Georgia, just because it lost so many veteran players from that defense to the NFL. But I'd still pick UGA to win the division.
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I wish I could tell you but we don't get to watch live team drills where the quarterbacks are going against a defense. I can't imagine it's a huge transition for him. There might be some rust to knock off, but he's played a lot of college football - far more than the rest of the QB contenders combined. His advantage is his experience - even though it's been a while since he played in a game.
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I've heard you mention in the past that the media's access to the team is more restricted than in the past. Are those restrictions put in place by Drink, the AD, or lingering COVID restrictions? Is there a fear of a Wake Forest radio announcer style leaking of game plans to opponents.
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Drinkwitz's access has been pretty consistent - not counting the COVID year. We get to see about 25-30 minutes of two to three practices per week - but those are mostly individual position drills, maybe some team drills against air but nothing where the defense is lined up against the offense. The head coach sets the media access; not the AD or the conference. Mizzou's access is far better than some SEC teams, not as open as others. For my role, you adjust to the rules of the game and make the most of it.But I do chuckle when I see NFL practice access, where practices are wide open to the public and reporters and fans can tweet video of 11 on 11 plays - all of which would never happen at a Mizzou practice, or most college practices for that matter.
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Connor Tollison was working with the first unit today. I'd say he's the leader in the clubhouse - and I'm not convinced Polgar was going to beat out Tollison for the job anyway. He looks really smooth out there. I watched him run some drills todays where he had to pull out into space as a lead blocker and he's really agile for a big guy.
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It's still too early in camp to get really thorough answers from coaches on how players are doing, especially running backs, who you can't really measure until the full pads come out and there's live tackling. He rated as a four-star prospect, No. 168 nationally by Rivals. The last Mizzou running back ranked higher was Tony Temple, No. 79 in 2004.Damarea Crockett, Chase Abbington, Marquis Doherty Nate Strong were also four-star running backs.
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Like I said, it would be naive to think everyone was happy last year. About 20 guys transferred. If they were happy, they wouldn't have left. His point was the veterans on the current team have now had two full offseasons to transfer and play immediately somewhere else. So the fact that they're still on the team indicates this is where they want to be.
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He's not as tall and rangy as Justin Gage or Danario Alexander but he's bulkier than Jeremy Maclin. I'd say those three were the best Tiger receivers of their generation - and if he compares favorably to one of them it would be Maclin. Explosive, good hands, strong after the catch, return ability.
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Got a chance to see what appears to be the top two offensive lines in action today. Here's my guess at the two-deep as of today:LT: Javon Foster, Dylan SpencerLG: Xavier Delgado, Luke GriffinC: Connor Tollison, Drake HeismeyerRG: Connor Wood, EJ Ndoma-OgarRT: Zeke Powell, Armand MembouKeep in mind, Hyrin White would be a starter at right tackle but he's out indefinitely with an injury.Also, scouts from the Bengals and Seahawks were at practice today. That's common this time of year.
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What is your assessment of the linebacker corps in stopping the run more effectively this year? I know a lot of that has to do with the DLine as well, but do you feel that the linebackers will be improved, level, or below last year's group? Who are the front runners for starting positions?
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Chad Bailey proved in the second half of the season he should have been playing all along. And Ty'Ron Hopper should be an upgrade from Blaze Alldredge in terms of size and athleticism. So, it's fair to expect that tandem to be better against the run from the start of the season. I'd expect Hopper and Bailey to start. Other contenders for playing time will be Chuck Hicks, Devin Nicholson and maybe one of the two second-year guys, Dameon Wilson or Zach Lovett.
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Thanks as always for your time. My friends and I are all scattered around the country now but usually make a trip back in the fall/winter to catch either a football or basketball game and see family. Last year was FB vs. Tenn and that didn't go so well. Help us pick a better game for this year!
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Eli Drinkwitz is meeting with media now. I'll pass along anything of interest:* Tomorrow is an off day then six straight days of practices.* Says it's way too early to tell if D-tackle Marquis Gracial will contribute this year. It's going to take time for him and other freshmen to adjust to how much they're asked to practice. "The closer you get to the ball the harder it is to play early in this league."* Connor Tollison getting lots of work at center. "Connor has really embraced the competition." Very athletic and intelligent.* Zeke Powell has had a productive summer at right tackle. Hyrin White will return at some point this year.* RB Nate Peat missed today's practice. "Was just hydrating." Said he'll be back Saturday. Nothing else to report.
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As with Boston College last year the K State game will decide if there is a chance winning 7 games. So mizzou as I see must win 3 of the 5 games, South Carolina , Vandy , Florida , Kentucky , Auburn. This will be a huge task. I see no chance against Georgia, Ark., Tennessee. I won't be surprised with 4 or 5 wins. I think 7 is a stretch and would be very happy with 6 and a minor bowl game.
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Given the poll below and the talks being had about Arkansas, do you think they are truly as good as advertised (3rd or 4th best team in the SEC) ? Or are we just excited that they are finally fielding a competitive team after over a decade? Better than Kentucky, TN, ole miss and miss st?
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You look at what Arkansas did last year - wins over Texas, Texas A&M, Miss State, LSU, Missouri, Penn State - and the fact they were competitive against Alabama and Ole Miss, it's fair to expect that program to be a top 20 team overall and maybe become that third-best team in the league. And the they return a good QB in KJ Jefferson. But it won't be easy to replace Treylon Burks. He was a special talent at receiver.
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Good question. If they're 1-3 and not very competitive in the losses, then I don't see the harm in playing Horn if you believe he will benefit from the experience.Also, though, if you're 1-3 that means you have a home loss to either Louisiana Tech or Abilene Christian - and if that's the case, you got more problems than just quarterback.
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