[duncan_idaho]

My early line for the game:

Missouri 45, Nebraska 24

Nebraska still lacks the pass rush up front and the speed in the back seven to really give a great spread o trouble. You have to be able to pressure the passer with four and drop seven to have consistent success against a spread team, and I don't think Nebraska has all of that.

Defensively, Missouri needs to do two things: 1) Get William Moore healthy (two weeks off should help that); 2) Dial back the blitzes in its Tampa 2.

I know DC Matt Eberflus has been working on a new scheme (designed around a hybrid safety/backer playing the nickel slot) based on the Tampa D, and I am hearing some underground rumblings he was experimenting with it a lot and the blitzing aspect of it in the nonconference schedule. I would be surprised if Missouri continues to blitz as much as it has so far this season.

One final thing: Because of the efficiency and quick-strike ability of Missouri's offense, the defense is facing more possessions and more total plays than almost every other team; total yards is a bad barometer in that situation. Missouri's yards-per-play through the non-con this year actually are much better than they were a season ago - and the scoring defense is improved.