Mizzou needs to play a simple, non-complicated game plan against Alabama

The now No. 21 Missouri Tigers got their wake-up call three weeks ago after a road trip to Texas A&M and lost 41-10. Missouri never had control of the game and was immediately in a big hole.

According to Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, the game plan for the Tigers’ game with the Aggies was too complicated. The intricacy of the game’s intrigue was what pushed the Tigers into a corner early and ultimately led to a heavy defeat.

“We can’t overanalyze every situation,” Drinkwitz said. “We can’t have too many checks on both sides of the ball.”

It was clear that the Tigers were prepared for every little move the Aggie offense made, but when they didn’t do those little things and make it audible, there was a certain level of confusion within the unit. The solution could be to simplify the game plan and play with freedom.

“If you submit an application for this, we will examine it. Or if they show us this coverage, we will check it out. We have to go out there and play football,” Drinkwitz said.

On the defensive side of the ball, there is plenty of talent at multiple positions, all capable of making plays. The defensive unit wasn’t perfect and runs a fairly simple plan and game plan on a weekly basis, but over-scheming on defense ended with the Tigers allowing 41 points against the Aggies.

Drinkwitz preached the idea of ​​eliminating thinking leading up to the Tigers’ game with the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide, like Missouri’s defense, is loaded with talent, arguably more so than Missouri. Overcomplicating the schedule could result in the Tigers leaving Tuscaloosa with another big loss. The alternative seems to be to allow the defense to play on its own to some extent and make plays.

“I’m just cutting a play sheet,” Missouri defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. said. “Let’s get calls we’re happy with and just let us play freely.

Likewise, star receiver Luther Burden III, who had a game-winning performance in the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers, had trouble getting going against the Aggies three weeks ago. In a similar message, he wants the offense to play freely and focus on the team’s performance.

“We just have to focus on ourselves and we’ll be fine,” Burden said.

As the Tigers continue to reflect on the huge loss in their first road game, it will be important going forward to make decisions and decisions that truly benefit the team. The coaching staff, which includes Drinkwitz, wants his team to make the best possible decision in order to play winning games.

“I think sometimes we get too caught up in the little things,” Drinkwitz said. “If you just go back and watch our game from 10,000 feet away, just because it was a good idea doesn’t necessarily make it the best idea for our team.”

Controlling what they can control was also a common message from Drinkwitz and Co., which didn’t change even before the fight with the Crimson Tide. The staff can control the calls and instructions they give to their players on both sides of the ball. Doing this efficiently while putting them in a winning position will be an important factor in victory.

“We have to focus on what we can do, and if our base calling allows our guys to play quickly and without hesitation, then that’s the best thing we can do in this game,” Drinkwitz said.

The Tigers will take on the top-25 Crimson Tide on Saturday, October 26th at 2:30 pm CT in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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