9.5. That’s the number of points that Missouri is averaging in games against top 10 opponents, including the Vanderbilt Commodores. I don’t have to say that’s pitiful, because you know it is. I am not here to state the obvious. In Missouri’s recent game against the Oklahoma Sooners, the Tigers scored a grand total of 6 points, furthering frustrations toward the offensive unit.

Ever since the Auburn game and arguably the Alabama game, a fanbase wide uproar has been directed at Kirby Moore and the offense and that’s fair, because the numbers indicate that you SHOULD be upset. The real question is, who’s at fault? If you took a gage just by looking online, it’s safe to say that you would draw the conclusion that Kirby Moore needs to be canned and that he’s an awful coordinator.

I’ll be blunt and say that I think Kirby Moore has been subpar at best. I don’t think he has called a creative offense and he’s also been predictable at best. The reason I say this is because this piece will at times, sound like I am defending Kirby Moore, which I am not. More so, I am just shifting the blame to the players as well, not just 100% solely going to Moore.

The reason why the offense has struggled is because it can’t throw, it can’t block long enough for long-developing plays, and it’s only success comes through the run game. That is not all on Kirby Moore. Let’s break down those points.

1. Missouri can’t throw the ball consistently: In yesterday’s game against Oklahoma, Beau Pribula went 20/36, 231 yards, and 2 interceptions. Even these stats can be misleading, as a few of these completions, tacked on with the yardage, came late in garbage time. Missouri had no rhythm and no creativity, something that Eli Drinkwitz said verbatim in his post-game press conference.

The passing game, specifically, is largely ineffective, and that boils down to several reasons. For starters, Missouri runs nearly every first down, which is about as predictable as it gets. Often, defenses know what’s coming. Pushing Missouri to 2nd and longs. From there, receivers struggle to get open, and Missouri doesn’t have a quarterback on the roster who can push the ball down the field effectively. Missouri doesn’t utilize the middle of the field virtually ever, which takes away a possible added dimension to the passing attack.

I do think that Kirby Moore deserves some blame here. The offense has little creativity, and defenses know what’s happening long before it’s coming. Kirby Moore needs to utilize more screens, as well as the middle of the field. Although, who’s to say that helps, given the quarterback play? Simply put, Missouri doesn’t have a Brady Cook anymore.

2. You can’t run, when it’s your only calling card: Sure, Ahmad Hardy can run for a combined 550 yards against Louisiana and Mississippi State, two teams that have inferior lines of scrimmage. However, when Missouri plays the “big boys” the run game never seems to pick up the steam that many expect it too.

Here’s the reality, and I’m going to set it straight for you. You can’t expect Missouri to run the ball well or run it much at all, when defenses are playing full-on run-commit defense every play. The blueprint currently is that defenses will put seven in the box and dare Missouri to beat them through the air. They simply cannot do it. So, for Kirby Moore, what can you possibly expect him to do? It’s always the coach’s fault, seemingly, but his hands are tied due to one part of the offense being completely inept.

I only have two points for you. Sure, it’s simple and maybe not expert analysis, but my point is that I don’t simply think this is just a playcalling issue, but rather a personnel issue as well. Do I think Kirby Moore is free of criticism? Absolutely not. He deserves to be evaluated, and I’ll never just call for someone’s job. But this is a player issue as well and it is ok to admit that.