Missouri Tigers Season Preview

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Gary Pinkel is entering his eleventh year in Columbia and he is still itching for that illustrious BCS Bowl. He has finished the season in the top 25 only three times which makes you wonder if he can turn the corner and win more games with consistency.

Through eleven years Pinkel is just 42-38 in the Big 12 and is 77-49 (61%) overall. Nebraska is now gone and their partial rivalry is done with them at least for the time being, so clearly the Tigers must knock off those two teams in Texas and Oklahoma.

The Big 12 historically in the BCS era is among the top three conferences out there and the loss of Nebraska should not humiliate this conference like some expect.

There are still some prestigious programs with Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M for Mizzou to knock off.

The loss of NFL first round draft pick Blaine Gabbert will certainly hurt since this team could have been loaded had he stayed. Mizzou would have cracked my top ten with every single playmaker back on offense.

Where Is the Love?

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The Tigers are a spread offense that normally falls in love with threading the needle. Tight end Michael Egnew and receivers TJ Moe, Wes Kemp and Jerrell Jackson all return for their senior seasons outside of Moe who is just a junior.

Moe officially made his case for All-American worthy in the Insight Bowl against Iowa where he caught 15 passes for 152 yards. Egnew was not too shabby either as he caught nine for 129 yards. 

Egnew is a tremendous route runner with exceptional hands. He has a nose for the first down marker and time after time came away with a big catch in traffic.

Moe has amazing hands as well as he showed it off in the game against Iowa as it looked like he had a fabulous catch, but after review there was some evidence that the ball hit the dirt (I did not buy it). Both of these players are expected to be First/Second team All-Big 12 worthy once again in 2011. 

Following in Some Big Footsteps

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Back to Gabbert and which signal caller replaces him though. Gabbert was a stud and despite not being named to the All- Big 12 First or Second team (loaded league his replacement needs to be productive.

James Franklin is the new savior for Pinkel and many expect the sophomore to dazzle us in 2011 and for many years to come. Franklin was solid in the spring game completing 13 of 21 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. James was ranked 4th in the nation coming out of high school a season ago (Rivals).

The running game was a pleasant surprise due to a bevy of youngsters who stepped up. De’Vion Moore, Kendial Lawrence and Henry Josey should all get their fair share of looks though Lawrence is the guy at the moment. 

One Big Tiger Down

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Moore and Lawrence both have the explosiveness and the vision to hit the hole and take it to the house. All three backs however are under 6 feet and 200 pounds.

They are perfect for the spread since they all can catch the rock and block just well enough. The three headed monster would be nowhere without the entire offensive line.

Travis Ruth, Dan Hoch, Elvis Fisher, Jayson Palmgren and Austin Wuebbels should all help pave the way. Hoch and Fisher are solid tackles that could start for nearly any BCS team in America.

Hoch made All- Big 12 a season ago and most expect Fisher to make that team this upcoming season. (Note: Co-captain left tackle Elvis Fisher is expected to miss the entire season after suffering a serious knee injury that has forced him to already go under surgery).  

Tigers Roar Up Front

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Usually losing your top defensive player makes life worse, especially when you do not recruit superstar players. However, the Tigers defense is expected to be better in 2011 despite the loss of Aldon Smith.

The front four will once again be the anchor of this defense. Jacquies Smith and Brad Madison were beasts a season ago and if the interior of the line improves, this group may be the best in the Big 12.

Both nose tackles return with Terrell Resonno coming off a season in which he started 11 games whereas Dominique Hamilton is coming back from a foot injury that he suffered early in the season against Oklahoma.

Resonno has a nice burst of speed up front, but the guy to keep an eye on is Brad Madison. His 7.5 sacks a season ago came as a pleasant surprise and this season he may play more like a freak. 

Rodney Dangerfield Asked Why No Respect!?

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Andrew Wilson, Will Ebner and Zaviar Gooden are the unit that surprised for most of the season last year. Gooden at 6’2”, 225-pounds is a beast that can catch you from behind and at the same time he can run ball carriers.

He wears number 25 in honor of former player Aaron O’Neal who collapsed during voluntarily workouts two seasons ago. Gooden is a true warrior that led the team in tackles with 85 and he also had three sacks. This unit is one of the most underrated in the country thanks in large part to the star play of Gooden.

The secondary only returns one player back in Kenji Jackson though the other three starters have some experience as backups. Kip Edwards and EJ Gaines will be counted on against a ton of explosive receivers in the newly looked Big12 without Colorado and Nebraska.

Drama's Forecast

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The schedule is not too daunting for a defense that returns only six starters. An early trip to Tempe against the Sun Devils will show if this Missouri team is a legit top 20 team or not.  A few home games shall be tough for Missouri as they get Texas, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech all at home.

On the road they have trips to Norman, College Station and Waco which will make or break the Tigers season (all three). If they can manage to win half of those six games, another nine-ten win season is well within reach.

Still, a BCS Bowl berth is only reachable if they knock off Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and/or the Aggies. They may very well lose to all three of those teams, but they certainly have the firepower offensively to compete with any team in the conference. Missouri is one of my sleepers in this conference as they have seemingly received zero publicity despite being ranked #21. 

PROJECTED RECORD: 8-5, 6-3

PROJECTED BOWL: Holiday Bowl 

PROJECTED FINISH IN BIG 12: Fourth