COLUMBIA, MO. • A year ago, Missouri’s offensive linemen dreaded the middle drill. Midway through every full-pads practice, the coaches matched the offensive line, tight ends and backfield against the defense, linebackers and safeties. No receivers, no cornerbacks, no frills. No passing plays, no runs outside the tackles. Just a couple thousand pounds of bone, muscle and pads smashing into each other on running plays into the teeth of the defense.
Mizzou’s first-year coaching staff promised to build their no-huddle spread offense around a punishing ground game, but to turn those plans into results required more physical play along the line of scrimmage.