Missouri's Shot at Success in SEC Rests on Maty Mauk's Performance

HOOVER, Ala. — Missouri has entered the Georgia Dome in each of the last two Decembers only 60 minutes away from SEC titles.

Both times, it walked out in search of not only the trophy, but also respect within the conference.

This season, that search starts with quarterback Maty Mauk.

One of only three full-time returning QB starters in the conference, Mauk finished last season with 25 touchdowns, but he threw 10 of those and nine picks in the first half and had a 15-4 ratio in the second half of games. Despite proving that he's clutch, he isn't getting any respect heading into 2015.

Don't believe me?

The beginning of a question to Mauk on Wednesday included a reference to his 27 quarterback rating against his toughest opponents—four losses.

"Sometimes it might be sloppy," Mauk said. "A 27 QBR or whatever it is, but 14-4 as a starter. I'll take wins over that. I'm not a guy going out there for stats, I'm here to win football games."

If Missouri is going to do more of that in 2015, it's going to be on the success of Mauk's arm.

For the second straight year, Missouri is charged with replacing the majority of its contributing wide receivers. It worked last year, but in 2015, the Tigers return just 10 total receptions among the entire receiving corps.

How uncertain is the receiving situation? When Mauk was asked about the future contributors, he immediately spoke of tight ends.

"Both of our tight ends are going to be tremendous receivers for us, Sean Culkin and Jason Reese," Mauk said. "Receiver-wise, I look at Nate Brown to really break out, and J'Mon Moore outside."

Wade Payne/Associated Press

In a division that's building back from some recent struggles, it's going to be on Mauk to lead the team.

"We need more consistency with the offense, and it starts with him," Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel said. "With his experience level, you learn, mature and grow. The defense slows down. You see more.

"His consistency will help all the people around him play better."

Wade Payne/Associated Press

Missouri has established itself as "DL Zou," but the departures of Shane Ray and Markus Golden, coupled with the season-ending injuries suffered by Harold Brantley in a car accident, put an enormous amount of pressure on Mauk to be consistent, reliable and a difference-maker in 2015.

If he can do that, Missouri will be right back in contention.

The Tigers have a remarkably easy out-of-conference schedule and get Mississippi State and Arkansas out of the SEC West. Sure, the Bulldogs and Razorbacks will still be tough, but Pinkel, Mauk and the rest of the crew still benefit from avoiding the two Alabama schools.

The last two seasons weren't a mirage. Missouri has proved that it has the talent, coaching staff and ability to not only play at a championship level but also do so in the face of significant roster turnover.

If Missouri is going to complete the SEC East three-peat in 2015, Mauk must be the difference-maker.

As far as respect goes, Mauk isn't going to worry about it.

"It’s not even a respect thing anymore. We are going to be disrespected, we are going to be on the bottom of everybody’s polls and it’s something we can’t control, so we aren’t even going to worry about it."

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.