The Zou: Tracking Mizzou in '08

Hello college football fans, and welcome to my first edition of The Zou, my blog in which I will be tracking Missouri's progress in this college football season.  First off, I would like to give you a few links that I use and are great resources for info on Missouri football for those of you that would like to learn a bit more than I will be providing.

Behind the Stripes :  This is a great resource for Mizzou football, Dave Matter does a great job of covering Tiger football, I make at least two visits a day to this site.

College Football News:  CFN is a wealth of information on college football in general.  This site is dedicated to the best sport in America and they do a great job.

Tigerboard:  This is the Mizzou message board for those of you who are interested in other fans' take on what's happening.  You can also post your opinion on MU football or any other sport for that matter.

Today, I will be covering the offense.  The offense was the obvious strength of the team last year, but they lose a few key players.  I will be going over every offensive position, starting with the man at the head of the attack...

QB:  The Tigers have a great starter in Heisman finalist Chase Daniel.  The kid is a true gamer and knows the offense like the back of his hand.  He has great poise as he proved in the game at Arrowhead last year. 

It seems like his only weakness has been playing Oklahoma's defense.  Backing up Chase D. is Chase P.  Patton, that is.  Patton could be starting at a slew of other teams, but he has stuck with Mizzou. 

If Daniel were to get hurt, Patton is a more than capable backup and I would feel very confident in his ability to lead the offense.

RB:  Mizzou lost Tony Temple, who exploded in the Cotton Bowl, but the new starter will be Derrick Washington who may be better than Tony Temple.  He is quick and has a different style than Tony Temple. 

D-Wash is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.  Washington will likely line up at receiver a few times a game, something Temple rarely did.  Jimmy Jackson and De'Vion, Moore will back up Washington. 

Jackson is a consistent runner, nothing too special, but very capable.  Moore has proved to be an explosive player in the spring.

WR:  Missouri loses Will Franklin to the NFL and a few backups, but they return their biggest threat in Jeremy Maclin.  The electrifying player has gotten stronger and faster according to head coach Gary Pinkel, which is a scary thought for opponents. 

Helping Maclin out will be Tommy Saunders, an underrated receiver, Jared Perry, also lost in J-Mac's spotlight last year, and Danario Alexander.  Alexander is currently injured, but should be back for the conference season. 

A few freshman will also see time at receiver.  Jerrell Jackson will get some playing time, as well as converted tight end Michael Egnew, and former Nebraska commit, Wes Kemp.

TE:  Chase Coffman is arguably the best tight end in the Big 12, and among the best in the nation, but Martin Rucker, his partner in crime, is gone.  Rucker was one of Daniel's favorite targets in 2007. 

Coffman has the talent to be even better than last year though, with great hands, good leaping ability, and a will to get every extra yard.  Plus, the addition of freshman tight end Andrew Jones should help Coffman out.

LT:  This is the most questioned position on this offense.  Redshirt freshman Elvis Fisher will be backed up by true freshman, Dan Hoch.  Keep in mind this is Daniel's backside, so they better be able to produce.  Fisher looks to have the skills to protect Daniel just fine, but he will be starting out against a tough Illini defensive line.

LG:  At left guard, Ryan Madison returns, backed up by RS freshman, Jaysen Palmgren.  The Tigers should be just fine here, with Madison's senior experience.

C:  Tim Barnes will take over former center Adam Spieker's spot.  He has looked great so far in the off season and will have a capable backup in JT Beasley.

RG:  Kurtis Gregory will return to his original position as he was moved to LT earlier before Elvis Fisher emerged as the starter there.  He should provide the third link to a great protection on the inside of this line.

RT:  No worries here as All-Big 12 candidate Colin Brown returns, with sophomore Mike Prince backing him up.

So overall, if the left side of the offensive line holds up, this offensive unit should once again be among the best in the nation.  Even if the left side of the line isn't too great, Chase Daniel gets rid of the ball quick enough that it might not be a huge deal. 

My next edition of The Zou will likely be tomorrow on an overview of the defense.  Spoiler Alert:  This defense is going to possibly be the most underrated in the Big 12, they will be extremely good and should take a lot of pressure off of this offense.

I hoped you enjoyed the first of many editions of The Zou.  I will try to make this a daily event, but when school begins, it will be a struggle.  One last thing.  If you enjoyed this blog, please leave feedback in the comment section below.  Thanks for reading.