Missouri Football 2012: Latest News, Updates and More from Spring Practice

As a result of its move to the SEC, Missouri is a team that will likely receive more attention than it's used to this season. The Tigers are also going to be more in the spotlight after landing one of the more talented recruits in wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.

This is a solid team that returns a total of 11 starters, who will be hoping to prove that they belong in college football's toughest conference. However, before they jump head first into playing schools like Alabama, LSU and the rest of the gang, they must fix any issues they may be facing.

That's what spring practice is for, which for the Tigers began on March 6. The team's spring game will take place on April 14. This is a big season for head coach Gary Pinkel and the entire Missouri program.

Stay tuned for all of your latest news, updates and more involving your Missouri Tigers.

New Uniforms

The spring has come and left the Missouri Tigers and we won't hear from them until August and the fall camp arrives. While the spring game did show us a few things, majority of the talk was about the new uniforms the Tigers will wear this season. There's no more "M" on the helmet, instead it's an actual tiger and the colors are much brighter.

“We really listened to what the athletes here from Missouri were telling us,” Nike’s Creative Director for Football Todd Van Horne said via themaneater.com “I think a lot of it was the colors and the tiger and the embodiment of that spirit of why they came here. We really wanted to reflect that in what the uniforms were.”

The Tigers will begin their first season in the SEC and I believe the new uniforms provide somewhat of a fresh start for the program. There are many mixed reviews about the new gear, but judging some of the other new uniforms, you can't be too upset about the switch.

Missouri Has Final Scrimmage Before Spring Game

Missouri held their final scrimmage of the season before they take the field for their spring game on April 14. Although it was a spring scrimmage, many considered it to be the spring game because of the lack of playing time the starters will see next week.

“(The spring game) is more for show,” senior wide receiver T.J. Moe said. “The starters only play 10-15 plays in the spring game. I’ll be sitting on the sideline the last three quarters. Today’s a lot of fun for us — we each get 50 plays. It’s the most game-like thing we’ve had.”

Moe finished the scrimmage with eight receptions for 151 receiving yards, but the highlight of the day could have been quarterback Ashton Glaser. The redshirt junior made the most of his time with James Franklin still recovering from surgery and completed 20 of 29 passes for 211 yards and threw two touchdowns as well.

One of the concerns is the kicking game that didn't go over well. Returning starter and senior Trey Barrow went 1-5 on the day, while the other kickers combined for 6-9.

“I’m disappointed in the field goals, the lack of progress there and the competitiveness,” Pinkel said. “We’re going to have to revisit that and work to make ourselves better.”

James Franklin Faces Surgery

Well the Tigers worst fear actually came true as quarterback James Franklin will end up going under the knife for his injured shoulder. Good news is that he's expected to make a speedy recovery, and should be ready to play by the time the regular season kicks off.

"We're disappointed for James, naturally," coach Gary Pinkel said in a statement. "But this is absolutely the right thing to do, and we all know he'll be in great hands. We expect him to be 100 percent and ready to go for the season."

Redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser will control the offense the rest of the spring in Franklin's absence.

James Franklin Injured

The Tigers are a team that has kicked off spring practice a little early, but this is not the way they would have liked to begin their journey in the SEC. Quarterback James Franklin has suffered a shoulder injury in practice trying to recover a fumble.

The good news for Tiger fans is that the regular season is still several months away. It's also good to know that he has been diagnosed with a sprained shoulder, and the Tigers expect him to be back on the field sometime later this spring.

In the meantime, freshman quarterback Corbin Berkstresser will likely receive the snaps in spring practice until Franklin heals and is ready to go. Berkstresser is a 3-star recruit out of Missouri, who I'm sure wasn't expecting to be called upon so quickly in his young career.

Franklin is without question the biggest playmaker on this Tigers roster, as he finished last season with 2,865 passing yards, 981 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns. He makes this offense go, and without him things will not look good for the Tigers heading into next season.

Thoughts on the SEC?

As the Tigers begin spring practice, it's only right that the questions about the SEC are being asked to the Tiger players. Missouri is no longer in the Big 12 and has made the transition to the SEC, but the questions draw different reactions from different players.

Wide receiver T.J. Moe is simply tired of the questions about the SEC.

“There hasn’t been a day since last July where people haven’t asked what I think about the SEC,” Moe said. “Before, (the question) was are we going to the SEC. And now, it’s how do I feel about the SEC. I’m not worried about it.”

Offensive lineman Elivs Fisher had a much different answer and seems a bit more excited about playing against better competition.

“The quality of play is better among every team,” Fisher said of the SEC. “You keep that in the back of your mind. We’ve got to stay healthy, we’ve got to stay sharp.”

Wide receiver Marcus Lucas wants to see what the new home has in store for the school and wants the continued support from the Missouri fans.

“The best thing I can say is just wait and see,” said Lucas. “We just want everyone to be with us and enjoy the ride.”

Updates

This slideshow will continue to be updated with the latest news, quotes, position battles and more throughout spring practice. Stay tuned for everything involving your Missouri Tigers.