Missouri is Not Virginia Tech. Is That a Good Thing?

During the football season one game must be instructive to the next in order for coaches to make their team better. Consider this - Missouri is not Virginia Tech. And, just maybe that is a good thing. Virginia Tech wants to pound the football. Missouri spreads things out. Tyrod Taylor would rather run than throw (a nick in Pelini's armor?), while Daniel would rather throw than run (though, he can move around very well). Virginia Tech is very stout up front. Frankly, Missouri is not. So perhaps these schemes are so different and the tasks so separate that it might help NU do what it knows how to do on defense and desperately wants to do on offense.

Defending the Spread
No doubt, NU has more experience defending spread teams than power teams. Just consider NU's first three games. They all ran some elements of the spread offense. Sure, the level of competition is much different. But, the fundamentals and teaching aren't. The defensive line must know to get their hands up in throwing lanes. Linebackers know they have to be able to move laterally to defend read option plays. Defensive backs must be able to tackle in space.

Against Virginia Tech, there was some different skill sets and muscle memory involved. Husker fans can only hope and pray that the lessons of the first three weeks can be applied more appropriately in defending Missouri's high-octane attack.

Finding Offensive Identity
On offense, frankly, NU might have to find a way to solve a bit of an identity crisis. Nebraska wants to run the ball. Bo Pelini does. Shawn Watson does. Barney Cotton does. I know all of you do to. It's all we heard about in the pre-season. "Nebraska has a deep line." "Nebraska has talented backs." Starting to get sick of that?

Last Saturday I saw a Husker team that almost desperately wanted to run the ball and be physical against a physical Virginia Tech team. Guess what? The Huskers aren't that team yet. I hate to admit this, but they are still a throw-first offense. It is what they are best suited to do. To have a chance against MU, the Huskers must grow in to the running team they couldn't be last week.

The Huskers tried to mash with the Hokies and NU got pretty worked over for the better part of three quarters. While I would have preferred to see a faster tempo and more movement from NU last week, maybe (just maybe) that will to run it can be more effective against Missouri. Because trying to play a speed game with them and go score for score with the Tigers seems rather futile to me. Yes, the Husker must put up points. But, they must do it with a blend of running to help set up play action passing.

By the way, I don't think the Missouri Tigers are the most physical or best tackling team in the Big 12, folks. I'm not disrespecting them. But, don't go confusing the Missouri defense for the Oklahoma Sooners any time soon.

Special Teams Tune Up
If there is one place where Missouri and Virginia Tech are comparable, it is on special teams. Victor "Macho" Harris and Jeremy Macklin are two of the most dangerous return men in the country. The lessons learned in trying to keep the ball out of Harris' hands must be applied again on Saturday. Kickoffs must get to the end zone. Punts must head for the corner.

Virginia Tech and Missouri may be a contrast in styles on both sides of the ball. But the maxim remains the same. The Huskers have to execute at a very high level, play extremely hard and keep the crowd in the game if they hope to win.