Wisconsin_Ag said:

---

gunan01 said:

---

It's pretty clear that Moss is our best back. He's explosive, breaks tackles, and takes a lot of pressure off Reed. The offense has been inconsistent at best with him out of the lineup.

I hate to assign so much importance to a non-QB, but two years of data doesn't lie. I know Moss and the staff is doing whatever it takes to get back on the field.

Playoff opportunities can never be taken for granted. I don't see how we get to the semis or the champ game without him. With him back in the lineup, we can win it all.

---

I applaud your optimism but there are deeper issues right now besides the running back and the addition of Moss is not a magic fix all elixir.

---

Actually, it is what would help the run game, goober. OL is mid, and Moss is elite.

Southlake said:

---

Smith is the new Moss…

---

That is stupid as hell. Moss is 10x better.

96AgGrad said:

---

Wisconsin_Ag said:

---

gunan01 said:

---

It's pretty clear that Moss is our best back. He's explosive, breaks tackles, and takes a lot of pressure off Reed. The offense has been inconsistent at best with him out of the lineup.

I hate to assign so much importance to a non-QB, but two years of data doesn't lie. I know Moss and the staff is doing whatever it takes to get back on the field.

Playoff opportunities can never be taken for granted. I don't see how we get to the semis or the champ game without him. With him back in the lineup, we can win it all.

---

I applaud your optimism but there are deeper issues right now besides the running back and the addition of Moss is not a magic fix all elixir.

---

We do have deeper issues, but the threat of Moss goes a long way in covering them up. He opens up the passing game. He makes short yardage (almost) a foregone conclusion. He keeps the defense more rested. He tires out the opposing defense. I think you're really underselling his impact.

---

Moss is also a legit home run threat. Haven't had a home run type run (i.e. Moss vs Mizzou in 2024) since he's been out.

gunan01 said:

---

96AgGrad said:

---

Wisconsin_Ag said:

---

gunan01 said:

---

It's pretty clear that Moss is our best back. He's explosive, breaks tackles, and takes a lot of pressure off Reed. The offense has been inconsistent at best with him out of the lineup.

I hate to assign so much importance to a non-QB, but two years of data doesn't lie. I know Moss and the staff is doing whatever it takes to get back on the field.

Playoff opportunities can never be taken for granted. I don't see how we get to the semis or the champ game without him. With him back in the lineup, we can win it all.

---

I applaud your optimism but there are deeper issues right now besides the running back and the addition of Moss is not a magic fix all elixir.

---

We do have deeper issues, but the threat of Moss goes a long way in covering them up. He opens up the passing game. He makes short yardage (almost) a foregone conclusion. He keeps the defense more rested. He tires out the opposing defense. I think you're really underselling his impact.

---

Moss is also a legit home run threat. Haven't had a home run type run (i.e. Moss vs Mizzou in 2024) since he's been out.

---

While I agree with your point. Owens had a 57-yard TD run against Mizzou this year.

While we're looking at keys to victory, can someone tell KC to tuck in his shirt?

96AgGrad said:

---

You mean our most physical runner gets nicked up? What a surprise. I'm sure he faked the cheapshot to the knee he took last year too. Maybe if he had a third kid he could have avoided it.

---

Nicked up?? Uhm, he's missed almost half the season….and the games he did play, he hobbled quite a bit for 2 of those games - go back and watch.
Look, I wish him all the best. But being a durable running back is playing more than 6 games a year.

The Collective said:

---

I don't understand what was happening with Owens? It seemed like he tackled himself multiple times in the game against Texas.

---

I think a big part of it is the nutless bovine's field-artificial turf. Owen's slipped and Reed tweaked his ankle on it.

tu gave more capable teams a blueprint. Those who play us the rest of the way will not abandon the run game and will load the box so we can't run and make 10 beat them from the pocket.

If it was indeed a high ankle sprain, an additional 3 weeks of recovery/non game action is huge. I dont see any reason he wouldn't be back. If hes not, then it wasn't a high ankle sprain .

When I first read the title I thought OP was talking about next year.

Let's say Moss is given a clean bill of health, meaning everything has healed.

Will he have his game legs and lungs?

I mean it's been awhile. What do they have him doing to not gain fat and to keep his explosiveness up along with the VO2?

If he is injury prone will we YOLO and send him out there to win first and foremost? I mean there is a lot on the line yall

Gallo de Cielo had a crack alongside his beak and Carlos Zaragoza kept sending him out to try and beat Zorro

Maybe he doesn't want to come back. Maybe he is sitting out under the guise of being injured. Maybe he isn't right up top.

Who knows, could be anything.

If smith played instead of Owens we win the other day. He has the best feet behind Moss, he was running great and should've been the only back carrying the ball, Klein or Taylor got to understand and play the guy who is working.

Doubt Moss is coming back. If he does, don't expect immediate transformation of our running game- it diesnt usually work that way.

I think that was THE plan. But I don't think it was Elko's plan, idea, choice or desire. I think that decision was made by people a few higher notches above Elko's pay grade. I think Elko was told to execute THE plan and he did. I don't think he had a choice. I don't think he was asked. I think he was told exactly how much we were going to lose by, whether he went along with it or not.

It is, and always has been, what makes the most money for the networks and Vegas. Same with any other sport.

Moss is an absolute difference maker. A power back with speed, vision, balance, and patience with a nose for the sticks and endzone. Defenders bounce off of him.

He opens up all options on 2nd and 3rd down when he's on the field. Too bad he cant stay healthy or have a backup with similar talent. Morrow may get there next year - hopefully.

In all honesty, Owens and EJ are serviceable but dont seem to be feared at all by the opposition. Amari has prety much maxed out his abilities here. Very grateful for him sticking it out here and filling in when called upon.

It'll be really disappointing if Moss doesn't go based on the statements made pretty much everywhere. Hell many thought he'd be good for the Texas game. hard to understand why he wouldn't be ready by the next kick off

gA_CMAB_FA said:

---

Moss is an absolute difference maker. A power back with speed, vision, balance, and patience with a nose for the sticks and endzone. Defenders bounce off of him.

He opens up all options on 2nd and 3rd down when he's on the field. Too bad he cant stay healthy or have a backup with similar talent. Morrow may get there next year - hopefully.

---

Agree. Obviously if he's healthy he should and will play. My point - over the head of the poster on page 1 - was that counting on having him for the duration of the playoffs is foolish. We have to be prepared to gameplan and win without him against good teams.

I think almost as important is if Scooby will be back, lord knows we need an athletic LB that cover TEs and help in the run defense.

Moss will fix the run defense that has been gashed since UTSA?

AggieOO said:

---

Logos Stick said:

---

He would make a difference, for sure.

The issue with him getting back on the field is that he is liable to get hurt again. He simply can't stay healthy.

---

guess we shouldn't even try since there is a theoretical chance he could get injured again.

---

More like he shouldn't take the risk. But if he wants to play and is fully healthy this is a good time of year to show you can help NFL teams in the post-season.

But the risk of playing is high for being injured. And he currently has a history of injury-prone outcomes.

In the words of the Eagles - Already Gone

I get it... it's all about the money.

But, the NFL continues to be a detractor for bowl games AND now for playoff games.

jsc8116 said:

---

I think almost as important is if Scooby will be back, lord knows we need an athletic LB that cover TEs and help in the run defense.

---

What even is his injury? Can't expect him back after all the time he's missed with undisclosed injuries.

SoTxAg said:

---

While we're looking at keys to victory, can someone tell KC to tuck in his shirt?

---

Yaaaas! This made me laugh. Our houshold was going ape ****. It was bad last last week. This last week was on another level. Well intended, constructive, criticism, of course. Love me some KC. Tuck that **** in kid!

If we handed it off to Owen's with a lead we beat tu

What happened to having a 'stable' of RBs? W/o Moss...EJ Smith should be the starting back IMO

It's game week. I'm feeling more strongly than ever that we don't win unless Moss comes back.

When does the injury list come out?

I think that's for sec conference games only

I have it on good authority that he's

"We're kind of in wait and see mode on that one" - Elko on Moss availability

Yeah that's code for he's out

barstoolexpert said:

---

"We're kind of in wait and see mode on that one" - Elko on Moss availability

---

Seems like coach speak and gamesmanship from Elko. If Moss doesn't play, it is based on his choice of doing so. No point in telling media his real status 4 days ahead of the game

The Sun said:

---

I doubt he returns at all.

---

His next game will be in a Cleveland Browns uniform.