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After each game, we take a look at what we learned, what we still don't know and make a prediction going forward. Here is the 3-2-1 report from a Mizzou's 35-3 loss to Purdue.
                     THREE THINGS WE LEARNED
1. This offense is getting worse each week. There is no way anyone on this team can deny that. Mizzou only possessed the ball for 16 minutes and 17 seconds against Purdue. None of their drives lasted two minutes. Here are some more game by game numbers to provide additional proof. 72 to 13 to 3. 815 to 423 to 203. Lets do the math real quick. The Tigers scored 56 fewer points in combined games against South Carolina and Purdue then they did against Missouri State. The Tigers gained 189 fewer yards in combined games against South Carolina and Purdue then they did against Missouri State. Even taking into account how bad the Bears defense is, that is remarkable regression. A nosedive of epic proportions. If Missouri continues this trend they will be shut out, only gain around 100 yards and possess the ball for about 10 minutes against Auburn.
2. Corey Fatony is really, really good. The Tigers' junior punter was on the field nine times last night. On those nine punts, Fatony averaged 48.2 yards with four landing inside the 20. He even placed two inside the five yard line. Four of his punts travelled over 50 yards with his longest soaring 65. The only negative during Fatony's big day was when he celebrated a very good punt with his team down 32 in the third quarter.
After the game Fatony said that his celebration was bad form. Whether you agree or disagree with his assertion you can't deny that he was the player of the game for Mizzou.
3. Fans are checking out on Mizzou football. As you can see in the picture below, the crowd was very sparse against Purdue. Especially late in the game. Press box estimations put the final whistle attendance at around 4,000. The announced attendance was 53,262. Even at the peak for the game that seems like a rather large over estimation. There were noticeably fewer fans than at the game against Missouri State. Odom and the players were all asked after the game what they thought about the fan support. Terry Beckner responded by saying he doesn't pay the fans any attention during the game, which is fair. His focus should be on the field and not the stands. Drew Lock appealed to the fans loyalty reminiscing on poor Tiger teams he watched in person as a kid. Odom fell back on an old faithful of his, thanking the fans that did show up and stay and support the team. A prime time game with Auburn looms for Missouri. There will be several recruits in attendance (including some official visitors), so the team is now left hoping the fans bounce back on faith.
                     TWO QUESTIONS WE STILL HAVE
1. Are more major changes coming? DeMontie Cross was let go early last week. It would be very surprising to see another coach depart the staff at this point, but nothing is off the table after this start. Could Lock lose his starting job? It's difficult to pin point the exact issues with this offense right now as they seem to make multiple mistakes at each position. Perhaps a change at QB could give the guys a boost though. It's hard to imaging this offense being any worse than it was against Purdue with Micah Wilson or Jack Lowary at the helm. Kaleb Prewett, DeMarkus Acy and Cam Hilton have all played significant snaps and have hardly made one positive contribution. Let's see what Aubrey Miller, Adam Sparks, Jarod Alton, Joshuah Bledsoe and Jordan Ulmer can do. Heck, throw Tavon Ross and Finis Stribling IV out there. Jordan Harold is regarded by his teammates and coaches as a hard working leader. No one is doubting that he brings those qualities, but he appears to be nothing more than a pile jumper at this point. He rarely makes play on his own. Give us more Chris Turner, Nate Anderson, Tre Williams and the now healthy Akial Byers. The offensive line was expected to be a strength, yet there was no where to run against Purdue and Lock dealt with pressure (usually poorly) on several plays. We heard all camp about the depth the line has now. It's time to see it.
2. How many games will the Tigers win? At this point two is the logical answer. A home win over Idaho is the only likely win left on the schedule when you consider how this team has played so far. Connecticut is admittedly a pretty dreadful team, but nothing we've seen gives any indication that Mizzou will win a game on the road at a point when the season will likely already be lost. If 2-10 happens Jim Sterk will have a major decision on his hands. Does he end the Barry Odom experiment after only two seasons? It is a very short period for a coach to try and build his program.
                         ONE BOLD PREDICTION
Missouri will not get embarrassed by Auburn. I'm no longer picking Mizzou to win (man was I an idiot), but the Tigers of Columbia will come out and play their best game of the season. Unfortunately for them and the fans, it won't be enough to win. It could provide the spark needed to get this season headed in a positive direction however. At this point, everyone will have to live with little steps. Moral victories can be cool. No, really.
