Mr. Mizzou, John Kadlec, was just on our Team 1380 radio show in St. Louis.

With Colorado visiting Faurot Field for Saturday’s 5:30 p.m. game, I asked him what Mizzou had to do in order to break a two-game losing streak and turn things around.

Kadlec — the former player, assistant coach and athletic department official at Mizzou — cited three prime concerns:

1. Get back to playing a more basic defense and not be so complicated on defense. Let the athletes line up and make plays. Kadlec obviously believes the Tigers are somewhat confused on defense and would respond to a more simplified, elementary approach.

(And I agree. This is something we are hearing a lot; some around the program believe that defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, with 10 returning starters, has tried to get too fancy with his approach this season. Head coach Gary Pinkel disagrees, but still I’ll be curious to see if Mizzou goes more basic vs. Colorado. Compared to the olden days, the Tigers have really good athletes on defense. So let ‘em do what comes naturally: line up and make plays.

2. The offensive line must play better and restore the comfort zone for QB Chase Daniel.

“The offensive line has to get some pride and keep those guys out of there,” Kadlec said. “Chase Daniel isn’t nearly as effective when he’s tap-dancing back there. He has to be able to do his thing.”

3. Establish more balance on offense.

“We have a terrific young running back in Derrick Washington and we need to get him the ball,” Kadlec said. “I don’t think you can be one-dimensional in this game. When you don’t run the ball, it makes it a lot easier for those guys on the defensive line to pin their ears back and go after the quarterback.”

Kadlec, as always, will join play-by-play voice Mike Kelly to call Saturday’s game on the Tiger Network, which includes flagship station KMOX 1120-AM.

-B