Sunday Grade Card

The numbers weren't bad for Drew Lock. He was 23-39 for 216 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. But if we've learned anything in the last two years, it's that the numbers just don't tell the story in this offense. The pick wasn't his fault, but the touchdowns and most of the yards came well after the game had already been decided--which, to be fair, was about ten minutes in. Lock wasn't great. But he wasn't bad either. He made no terrible throws that should have been interceptions. He ran a little bit. He was under pressure all night. His receivers make virtually no plays for him. Good? No. But not awful. FINAL GRADE: D+

If there is a bright spot in this game, it's that Larry Rountree III got to see the field and looked pretty good at times. He averaged eight yards a carry and should be the second tailback. Damarea Crockett wasn't what we've gotten used to, but he was decent against a really good run defense. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry against a team that had been giving up half that. And he didn't have a lot of room to run. FINAL GRADE: D+

It's really two-fold. First, they drop too many passes. Second, they don't make up for it by making very many big plays. Johnathon Johnson had good numbers, but again, they were hollow. He was also targeted three times as often as any other receiver in the game. FINAL GRADE: F

The drop turned interception by Jason Reese was a killer. There were some missed blocks. These guys were targeted more, but combined for four catches and 41 yards. Missouri needs more from the passing game. FINAL GRADE: F

Auburn is really good up front, and really across the defense. But Lock had very little time to throw. Missouri had a tough time on both edges. And three false starts in the first 11 plays, including one that pretty much put Missouri behind the eight ball before things even got going were inexcusable. FINAL GRADE: F

No pressure. No big plays. No difference makers. If Terry Beckner and Marcell Frazier are supposed to lead this defense, they've got to be a lot better. The one bright spot was freshman Kobie Whiteside, who flashed at times. Odom said they finished the game with 2.5 healthy defensive tackles, but we don't know who they were because the press conference ended before we could get injury updates. FINAL GRADE: F+ (Whiteside earned the plus)

Kind of the same story. Just no big plays. They make some tackles (Eric Beisel and Terez Hall had eight each), but somebody has to. They also miss a fair number. FINAL GRADE: F

Auburn's three longest pass plays of the year came tonight. And, again, just no difference making plays. FINAL GRADE: F

Corey Fatony had one bad punt, but it's a minor miracle his leg was still attached by halftime. Tucker McCann made his two kicks and did well on his two kickoffs. And Missouri caught two punts. That alone is breaking news. FINAL GRADE: B

They weren't ready. And while Barry Odom is asking everyone to take the long view, these grades are done on a game by game basis. This game was a failure on pretty much every front. Again. FINAL GRADE: F