Friday, September 27, 2013

Mizzou Greats: Dan Devine vs. Gary Pinkel - Inside the Numbers

As many Tiger fans have heard, Gary Pinkel has over taken Dan Devine for the second spot among Tiger coaches with wins at 93. With the win against Indiana on 9/21, he is only behind Don Faurot by 8. One of the big knocks on Pinkel is that he has built his success on a down Big 12 North and a weak non-con schedule. Well, I was thinking let's just see how each coach compared in their non-con record and conference record.

I used the baseline of opponents record to see how well the other teams that each coach did during the era's that they coached, in this case 58 to 70 for Devine and 01' to 12' for Pinkel (I didn't include the games that they have played yet this season, no final record available for each team). I also had an additional problem, Pinkel gets to play FCS schools while Devine didn't, so I gave every FCS school a ranking of 125 on record rank because there are only 124 school in FBS, so they can't be higher than that.

I also used a rank of Points Scored per Game (FS/G), Points Allowed per Game (FS/A), SRS or Simple ratings system (Explained Here) and Strength of Schedule (SOS). All these ranking are available at Sports Reference and the FCS final schedule are available here.

Dan Devine (1958 to 1970)

Overall Record: 92 Wins, 38 Losses, 7 Ties (Win %: 69.70%)
Non Conference: 27 Wins, 12 Losses, 3 Ties (Win %: 69.23%)
Conference: 61 Wins, 24 Losses, 4 Ties (Win %: 71.76%)
Bowl Games: 4 Wins, 2 Losses (Win %: 66.67%)

Non Conference Breakdown -
Opponents Records: 204 Wins, 200 Losses, 14 Ties (Win %: 50.49%) Average Win %  Rank: 59.33 Lowest Ranked Opponent: Illinois (69') 0-10, Avg Win% Rank: 119th
Highest Ranked Opponent: Tie: UCLA (66') 9-1, Notre Dame (70') 10-1, Avg Win% Rank: 6th


Conference Breakdown -
Opponents Records: 430 Wins, 457 Losses, 19 Ties (Win %: 48.47%) Average Win% Rank: 60.44
Lowest Ranked Opponent: Kansas State (66') 0-9-1, Avg Win% Rank: 119th
Highest Ranked Opponent: Nebraska (65') 10-1, Avg Win % Rank: 2nd


  • Colorado: 60 Wins, 66 Losses, 2 Ties (Win % Avg: 52.54)
  • Iowa State: 53 Wins, 73 Losses, 4 Ties (Win % Avg: 69.85)
  • Kansas: 64 Wins, 64 Losses, 5 Tie (Win % Avg: 58.07)
  • Kansas State: 29 Wins, 100 Losses, 1 Tie (Win % Avg: 95.23)
  • Nebraska: 93 Wins, 43 Wins, 2 Ties (Win % /Avg: 34.92)
  • Oklahoma: 86 Wins, 48 Losses, 3 Ties (Win % Avg: 44.07)
  • Oklahoma State: 39 Wins, 69 Losses, 2 Ties (Win % Avg: 68.46)*
*Oklahoma State joined the conference for the 1960 season, so Devine only played them 11 times.

Bowl Game Breakdown - 
Opponents Records: 52 Wins, 13 Losses, 1 Tie (Win %: 80.00%) Avg Win% Rank: 15.67
Lowest Ranked Opponent: Florida (65') 7-4, Avg Win% Rank: 34th
Highest Ranked Opponent: Penn State (69') 11-0, Avg Win% Rank: 1st

Advanced Statistics:

Points Scored Per Game -
Average: 54th
High: 4th (60')
Low: 97th (66')

Points Allowed Per Game - 
Average: 20th
High: 1st (67')
Low: 47th (58')

Simple Ratings System - 
Average: 21st
High: 1st (69')
Low: 42nd (66')

Strength of Schedule - 
Average: 37th
High: 5th (69', 70')
Low: 60th (67')

Gary Pinkel (01' to Present)

Overall Record as of 2012: 90 Wins, 61 Losses (Winning %: 60.2%)
Non Conference Record: 37 Wins, 7 Losses (Winning %:84.09%)
Conference Record: 49 Wins, 48 Losses (Winning %: 50.41%)
Conf Champ Game: 0 Wins, 2 Losses (Winning %: 0.00%)
Bowl Games: 4 Wins, 5 Losses (Winning %: 44.44%)

Non Conference Breakdown -
Opponents Record: 248 Wins, 268 Losses (Winning %: 48.06%) Avg Win% Rank: 69.54
Lowest Ranked BCS Opponent: Illinois (03') 1-11, Win % Rank: 111th
Highest Ranked Opponent: Bowling Green (02') 9-3, Win % Rank: 19th
FCS Opponents: Texas State (01'), Eastern Illinois (03'), Murray State (06'), Illinois State (07'), Southeast Missouri (08'), Furman (09'), McNeese State (10'), Western Illinios (11'), and Southeastern Louisiana (12')

Conference Breakdown -
Opponents Record: 709 Wins, 515 Losses (Winning %: 57.92%) Avg Win% Rank: 45.05
Lowest Ranked Opponent: Kansas (11'), Win% Rank: 109th
Highest Ranked Opponent: Texas (05'), Kansas (07'), Win% Rank: 1st


  • Colorado: 60 Wins, 66 Losses (Win%: 47.61%) Avg Win% Rank: 63.4
  • Iowa State: 57 Wins, 79 Losses (Win%: 41.91%) Avg Win% Rank: 70.2
  • Kansas: 58 Wins, 75 Losses (Win%: 43.61) Avg Win% Rank: 69.3
  • Kansas State: 77 Wins, 60 Losses (Win%: 56.20) Avg Win% Rank: 51.63
  • Nebraska: 84 Wins, 46 Losses (Win%: 64.61) Avg Win% Rank: 33.6
  • Oklahoma: 68 Wins, 15 Losses (Win%: 81.92) Avg Win% Rank: 10.0
  • Oklahoma State: 45 Wins, 28 Losses (Win%: 61.64) Avg Win% Rank: 41.33
  • Baylor: 29 Wins, 41 Losses (Win%: 41.42%) Avg Win% Rank: 74.8
  • Texas: 68 Wins, 10 Losses (Win%: 87.17) Avg Win% Rank: 8.5
  • Texas Tech: 47 Wins, 31 Losses (Win%: 60.25) Avg Win% Rank: 39.5
  • Texas A&M: 56 Wins, 36 Losses (Win%:59.55) Avg Win% Rank: 44.14
  • SEC Schools*: 63 Wins, 28 Losses (Win%: 69.23) Avg Win% Rank: 34.42
* This doesn't include A&M, they are added to the total they accumulated while in the Big 12

Conference Championship Game Breakdown - 
Opponents Records# 23 Wins, 5 Losses (Win%: 82.14) Avg Win% Rank: 8.0

#Both Championship games were played with Oklahoma (07',08'), the W vs. L's only count for Conference

Bowl Games Breakdown - 

Opponents Records: 68 Wins, 37 Losses (Win%: 64.76) Avg Win% Rank: 31.0
Lowest Bowl Opponent: North Carolina (11') 7-6, Win % Rank: 50th
Highest Bowl Opponent: Navy (10') 10-4, Win% Rank: 19th

Advanced Statistics

Points Scored Per Game:
Average: 43rd
High: 6th (08')
Low: 88th (01')

Points Allowed Per Game:
Average: 52nd
High: 6th (09')
Low: 84th (01')

Simple Ratings System:
Average: 36th
High: 7th (07')
Low: 73rd (01')

Strength of Schedule:
Average: 37th
High: 1st (12')
Low: 69th (04')


Just by looking at the numbers that I have placed before you, it is easy to see that Pinkel played a tougher Conference Schedule while under the helm at Missouri compared to Devine. Devine played KSU during his time and that was basically like playing an FCS team in the 60's. Also, OSU didn't impose Devine much a threat during his time. These number are also aided by allowing FBS schools to play FCS schools. By playing these games,most of the time,  it gives the FCS school an easy victory and can help inflate the numbers. If you look at some of the opponents that Devine played you saw where they would go 0-10 or 1-9, that generally doesn't happen much in today's college football with how coaches and AD's handle their schedules. One other reason that Pinkel played a harder conference schedule was he had to switch 3 opponents every two years so you would have to re-scout the teams when the time came, which is something Devine never had to deal with at Mizzou.

As far as Non-Con schedule, you would have to give the nod to Devine. He had some impressive victory and Pinkel's record is bolstered by 9 FCS teams, which skews his numbers. But don't think that Devine didn't play his share of crappy big name teams like Michigan, SMU, Cal (who won 5 games in the 3 years Missouri played them combined), Illinois, Minnesota (You have to remember some of the teams that we know now as National Power mayber weren't the programs that you see today). Devine did also schedule some big games against teams like Penn State, Notre Dame, UCLA to name a few. It is hard to compare the two with the addition of these FCS teams into the mix but I would say that Devine gets an edge.

Bowl games are dominated by Devine. Football back in the 60's didn't just take a team that finished 6-6, they took the best teams (mostly because there weren't over 30 bowls then) Devine played in what we would have called today's BCS Bowl games, and did very well. Pinkel is under .500 in bowl apperances and hasn't played the level of competition that Devine's team did in bowls.

Advanced Statistics Winners:

Points Scored Per Game:
Pinkel - 43rd

Points Allowed Per Game:
Devine - 20th

Simple Ratings System:
Devine - 21st

Strength of Schedule:
Even: 37th

Simple to note, Devine was a defensive minded coach, with his teams in the Top 10 in points allowed during 6 seasons of his 13 (61',62',63',65',67',68'). This might also be why he is lower on points scored because his defense were so dominant that he could let them win the game rather than rely on his offense to score. Pinkel is the opposite, an offensive coach, but has only been inthe Top 10 2 times during his time at Missouri (07',08').

Either way, each coach made a significant contribution to the University of Missouri and accomplished a great deal. Devine with the hunt for two National Championships in 60' and 69' and Pinkel for building and maintaining a competitive program that got us recognized by the SEC. Let's hope that our next coach can be both Devine and Pinkel, strong defense and strong offense.




Tuesday, September 24, 2013

2013 Royals Attendance

As many know the Royals are over .500 for the first years since 2003, but did that equate to higher attendance this season at Kauffman Stadium? Let's take a look at how the stats broke down for the Royals this season on the other side of the wall.

Date Opponent Attendance Total Cap % Capacity
4/8/13 Twins 40,073 37,903 105.73%
4/9/13 Twins 11,697 37,903 30.86%
4/10/13 Twins 10,069 37,903 26.57%
4/12/13 Blue Jays 13,049 37,903 34.43%
4/13/13 Blue Jays 21,690 37,903 57.23%
4/14/13 Blue Jays 29,057 37,903 76.66%
4/27/13 Indians 19,224 37,903 50.72%
4/28/13 Indians 22,001 37,903 58.05%
4/28/13 Indians 19,831 37,903 52.32%
4/29/13 Indians 14,255 37,903 37.61%
4/30/13 Rays 12,738 37,903 33.61%
5/1/13 Rays 11,514 37,903 30.38%
5/4/13 White Sox 19,957 37,903 52.65%
5/5/13 White Sox 16,462 37,903 43.43%
5/6/13 White Sox 15,576 37,903 41.09%
5/10/13 Yankees 24,521 37,903 64.69%
5/11/13 Yankees 30,910 37,903 81.55%
5/12/13 Yankees 29,515 37,903 77.87%
5/23/13 Angels 18,784 37,903 49.56%
5/24/13 Angels 32,148 37,903 84.82%
5/25/13 Angels 27,958 37,903 73.76%
5/26/13 Angels 24,475 37,903 64.57%
5/27/13 Cardinals 34,746 37,903 91.67%
5/28/13 Cardinals 27,833 37,903 73.43%
6/4/13 Minnesota 20,134 37,903 53.12%
6/5/13 Minnesota 12,407 37,903 32.73%
6/6/13 Minnesota 14,942 37,903 39.42%
6/7/13 Houston 24,808 37,903 65.45%
6/8/13 Houston 28,055 37,903 74.02%
6/9/13 Houston 20,723 37,903 54.67%
6/10/13 Detroit 17,653 37,903 46.57%
6/11/13 Detroit 16,493 37,903 43.51%
6/12/13 Detroit 24,564 37,903 64.81%
6/21/13 White Sox 33,830 37,903 89.25%
6/22/13 White Sox 20,364 37,903 53.73%
6/23/13 White Sox 18,622 37,903 49.13%
6/25/13 Braves 29,947 37,903 79.01%
6/26/13 Braves 22,207 37,903 58.59%
7/2/13 Indians 15,625 37,903 41.22%
7/3/13 Indians 28,534 37,903 75.28%
7/4/13 Indians 16,792 37,903 44.30%
7/5/13 Oakland 35,518 37,903 93.71%
7/6/13 Oakland 16,606 37,903 43.81%
7/7/13 Oakland 17,804 37,903 46.97%
7/19/13 Detroit 35,000 37,903 92.34%
7/20/13 Detroit 30,116 37,903 79.46%
7/21/13 Detroit 20,513 37,903 54.12%
7/22/13 Baltimore 16,362 37,903 43.17%
7/23/13 Baltimore 19,072 37,903 50.32%
7/24/13 Baltimore 17,410 37,903 45.93%
7/25/13 Baltimore 17,675 37,903 46.63%
8/5/13 Twins 21,474 37,903 56.66%
8/6/13 Twins 18,924 37,903 49.93%
8/7/13 Twins 20,198 37,903 53.29%
8/8/13 Red Sox 21,121 37,903 55.72%
8/9/13 Red Sox 29,485 37,903 77.79%
8/10/13 Red Sox 38,742 37,903 102.21%
8/11/13 Red Sox 24,935 37,903 65.79%
8/12/13 Marlins 15,956 37,903 42.10%
8/13/13 Marlins 21,094 37,903 55.65%
8/14/13 Marlins 17,760 37,903 46.86%
8/20/13 White Sox 13,060 37,903 34.46%
8/21/13 White Sox 13,083 37,903 34.52%
8/22/13 White Sox 13,363 37,903 35.26%
8/23/13 Nationals 28,733 37,903 75.81%
8/24/13 Nationals 28,023 37,903 73.93%
8/25/13 Nationals 19,661 37,903 51.87%
8/26/13 Rays 20,546 37,903 54.21%
9/2/13 Mariners 20,063 37,903 52.93%
9/3/13 Mariners 13,638 37,903 35.98%
9/4/13 Mariners 13,621 37,903 35.94%
9/5/13 Mariners 14,004 37,903 36.95%
9/6/13 Tigers 21,358 37,903 56.35%
9/7/13 Tigers 20,402 37,903 53.83%
9/8/13 Tigers 16,774 37,903 44.26%
9/16/13 Indians 15,413 37,903 40.66%
9/17/13 Indians 21,685 37,903 57.21%
9/18/13 Indians 21,198 37,903 55.93%
9/20/13 Rangers 21,837 37,903 57.61%
9/21/13 Rangers 36,575 37,903 96.50%
9/22/13 Rangers 27,899 37,903 73.61%
Totals 1,750,484 Average 57.02%
Total Poss at 100% Attendance 3,070,143
Empty Seats 1,319,659
Average Capacity: 20,364






The low point of the season came on Wednesday April 10th, at 10,069 against the Twins. That day was also a rain soaked day that turned people away from the turnstiles. The high point of the season was on Opening Day at the K, with 40,073. The Royals also broke over 100% on Saturday August 10th against the Red Sox

At the end of the day the Royals, had 1,319,659 empty seats or unsold tickets during this season. Maybe if Mr.Glass could put a more exciting product (I know he did this season) they will get more folks in the KC Metro, Mo, Ks, Ne, Ia and Ok to attend games.

The Royals did average 57.02% attendance for the season with average capacity of 20,364 people. A grand total of 1,750,484 walked inside Kauffman's gates to see a game during the season, which is better than last season.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Murray State vs. Missouri - Thoughts and Numbers

First off let's start by saying that it was hotter than a two dollar pistol on Saturday and attendance suffered because of it. 58,038 was the final attendance and while not bad it wasn't close to last years opener of nearly 63,000

The Stats:
Rushing: Mizzou had 6 individuals rush the ball for 45 times and gained 358 yards, that's a 8.0 yard per carry clip. The running game was completely different from years past, due to the fact that at all times there was a running back directly behind the Quarterback. I think I only saw 5 wide once in the game. The welcome back celebration for Henry Josey led to a 68 yard touchdown run in the 3rd Quarter to put the Tigers up 51 to 14, and for a guy that had a devastating knee injury, he looked really fast. Russell Hasbrough impressed with a 51 yard run of his own. All in all, the Tigers have a three headed monster with Josey, Hasbrough, and Murphy.

  • Henry Josey: 13 Carries, 113 yds, Long: 68 yds, Per Carry Average: 8.7 yds
  • Russell Hasbrough: 8 Carries, 104 yds, Long: 51 yds, Per Carry Average: 13 yds
  • Marcus Murphy: 7 Carries, 56 yds, Long: 31 yds, Per Carry Average: 8.0 yds
  • James Franklin: 6 Carries, 44 yds, Long: 26 yds, Per Carry Average: 7.3 yds
  • Morgan Steward: 8 Carries, 29 yds, Long: 10 yds, Per Carry Average: 3.1 yds
  • Greg White: 3 Carries, 16 yds, Long: 10 yds, Per Carry Average: 5.3 yd
Passing: The passing game look great and crisp. James Franklin was throwing balls with power and we saw no floating duck balls come from his passing. Maty Mauk saw limited number of passes and did make an appearance in the second quarter. After he subbed in for Franklin in the second half he threw the ball once and Mizzou ran the ball from there on out. Berk came in to get mop up time and made one pass to the bench. Looked like he overthrew his man, and why he is now #3 on the depth chart.

  • James Franklin: 26 for 38, 318 yds, 68.4% completions, 3 TD's, 0 Int
  • Maty Mauk: 2 for 3, 18 yds, 66.6% completions, 0 TD, 0 Int
  • Corbin Berkstressor: 0 for 1, 0 yds, 0% completions, 0 TD, 0 Int
Receiving: Tall could be a one word description of what the receiving corp but that leaves out strong, fast and athletic and that they are. With no starters under 6'4" tall, and Hunt and Coplin being the two short kids at 6'1" tall, the Tigers have talent. The Tight ends caught two passes during the contest but it seemed that they weren't targeted like they might be later in the season. Culkin is big and can be a very valuable weapon for the Tigers. Jaleel Clark is who impressed me the most, made some tough catches and showed some great awareness on the field.

  • Jaleel Clark: 5 rec, 51 yds, Long: 14 yds
  • Dorial Green-Beckham: 4 rec, 83 yds, Long: 44 yds
  • Bud Sasser: 4 rec, 41 yds, Long: 18 yds
  • Marcus Lucas: 4 rec, 33 yds, Long: 10 yds
  • L'Damian Washington: 3 rec, 32 yds, Long: 16 yds
  • Darius White: 2 rec, 44 yds, Long: 37 yds
  • Jimmie Hunt: 2 rec, 26 yds, Long: 22 yds
  • Eric Waters: 1 rec, 11 yds, Long: 11 yds
  • Levi Copelin: 1 rec, 7 yds, Long: 7 yds
  • Sean Culkin: 1 rec, 6 yds, Long: 6 yds
  • Henry Josey: 1 rec, 2 yds, Long: 2 yds
Special Teams: The return game didn't impress much on Saturday, maybe because the punter for Murray State would hit a line drive style rugby kick and they covered the kick well. Murphy just didn't get a real opportunity to take one back. The field goal team didn't impress when Baggett shanked a 30 yd field goal in the first half and missed one extra point, but came back to hit a 43 yd field goal right before half time. One caveat though was Baggett's kickoffs. Seemed like everyone he kicked landed in the end zone for a touch back or went completely out of the end zone. Christian Brinser is a great punter and will be a great weapon for the Tigers in flipping the field position.


  • Punting: Christian Brinser: 3 punts, 145 yds, Avg: 48.3 yds, Long: 51 yds
  • Field Goals: Andrew Baggett: 1 for 2, 50%, Good: 43 yds, Miss: 30 yds
  • Extra Points: Andrew Baggett: 7 for 8, 87.5%
  • Kickoffs: Andrew Baggett: 9 kicks for 584 yds, 8 Touchbacks, Avg: 64.9 yds
Defense: The night started out poorly. After Bud Sasser put the ball on the turf, Murray State proceeded to drive down and score on Missouri, and everyone in the crowd had this thought on their head, "Oh NO!, here we go again." The good news is that Missouri had limited information on the new QB for Murray State and once they adjusted the team settled in and didn't let them score again after the 1st Quarter. I did see some problems, like Dan Hoch not getting a push and noticed that Andrew Wilson wasn't on the field much during the game, he only made one special teams tackle later on in the game. I am not sure if the turnover started the defense off guard or what but Steck has to have his kids ready and they need a lead to be successful. They have to be able to pin their ears back and get after the QB, then the game gets easier for them. 

Other Thoughts:

The New Rock M: The "new" rock M looks great. It should have been done a long time ago, and Alden does get props for that. The way that it joins right up to the field and allows for a larger concourse, where several people were watching from the railing (Reminded me of watching the Royals above the fountains). The brick wall really enhances the look of the facility and it shows how they will head with the East Expansion.

The East Expansion: Wow! They are really moving along on that project. It won't be long and all the towers will be cast and they will be working on the trusses that support the upper deck. It will be a nice addition to the facility once it gets completed.

The Uniforms: The uniforms didn't look that bad and they don't when you are winning in them, but lose and they become the butt of the joke. When Mizzou wins the fans don't really have a need to worry about them looking weird or non-traditional.

The Attendance: Attendance was good for a 97 degree day in late August. The stadium didn't look that empty to be honest and could have swore their were at least 62,000 people in attendance. Realizing that it was a FCS opponent, we still need to call out the students of this University. It is you job to stay for the entire game and cheer the team on. We need to get this notion out of our heads, that when we are up a ton we leave. That is one place we are not fitting in with the SEC for now.

The Corny Advertisements (Pun intended): First it was the CaseIH Red zone now it is the Missouri Corn Growers sponsoring every first down, and their interesting looking mascot shaking Truman's hand. I understand that Agriculture plays a big part into the state's economy and the University, but we will be laughed at because it is just too "silly." At least we don't have the Barilla "Noodle Dance" like they do at Iowa State. You go to an Iowa State game and you know that you are in a state that is predominately agrarian in nature.

Two No Big Deal complaints:
The cannon doesn't have the same boom that it used to, maybe because the government is running out of blanks for "Little Joe." The government doesn't see the need to make high powered blanks for demonstration shooting, which makes sense. Also, the North End zone goal post is not straight up and down, and it just bothers me. I think that it should probably be fixed before a team comes in and loses on a field goal and put in a protest.

Stock Up, Stock Down: I will do a weekly things that are trending up and things that are trending down in Mizzou football.

Up
  1. Head Coach Gary Pinkel - After last season, every one said he was on the hotseat but after the offensive performance the Tigers should make a bowl game this year and that will keep him safe for now.
  2. Quarterback James Franklin - After being injured during last season and really struggling it looks like that James is going to be a solid QB with a chip on his shoulder, which could lead to great things for the Tigers this season
  3. Henry Josey - What else can be said about the halfback from Texas. He has a major(one of a kind) knee injury that could have threatened his career. He rehabs and comes back 685 days later and looks just as fast as before. Josey will be a threat all season for Mizzou.
  4. Snaps - Remember last season when the QB has to bend or jump to catch a snap, well I only counted one bad snap from Boehm to Franklin so I think we might have our timing back up to par this season.
  5. The Offense - This team will get up and down the field and in a hurry. The ball was snapped with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock all the time. It makes for a lot of action and it might be Mizzou's only chance to win some games and put other teams out of reach.
Down
  1. Andrew Wilson - The Tigers leading tackler from last season only managed one tackle against Murray State and wasn't on the field much in the first half. Andrew needs to step up for the Tigers to have a chance against stronger competition, well unless one of the young Linebackers are just better.
  2. Matt Hoch - Hoch had real trouble getting a push on a FCS defensive line. It might been a part of the strategy for him to occupy a couple blockers so the ends and backers could make the plays but we will need a push from him or Harold Brantley might find his way to the starting rotation.
  3. The Check In - When walking in the stadium we had to wait in line for at least 15 minutes to get checked in, all this would have been solved by adding one additional scanner to the Express lane. I mean it says Express, so it might would need to be faster.
  4. Bud Sasser - The only reason I put Bud on this list is because he had a key fumble to start the game and it kind of put our defense in a bad spot. He also dropped a couple of passes later. For this team to be successful the receivers need to catch the ball and not give it away. It doesn't matter in this game but it will in the future games.