Missouri Football: 4 Games the Tigers Must Win in 2012

While teams are just beginning spring practices, we're already looking ahead to the regular season. Sure, it is still a good six months away, but it's never too early to think about everything that comes with college football and the games that actually matter.

Missouri returns a total of 11 starters, and have playmakers all over the field. But this will be an interesting season considering it's their first year in the SEC. The Tigers do have the talent to really turn some heads this year; but this is also a completely different conference than the Big 12 and could provide a harsh dose of reality if the Tigers aren't careful.

Missouri didn't exactly receive any love in the scheduling and will have to play a brutal schedule in their first season. But here are four games the Tigers must win in order for their season to be successful one.  

at South Carolina

I didn't include the game against the Georgia Bulldogs on here, because I believe the Bulldogs are one of the most talented teams in the country, and it wouldn't be fair to label that a "must-win" for a team in its first year in the SEC. Now, South Carolina is an extremely talented team as well; but Missouri should be able to keep up with them offensively and give themselves a chance. (If quarterback James Franklin is healthy, of course.)

This would be a very tough game for the Tigers to win, because the Gamecocks are a very balanced team. But going into Williams-Brice Stadium and pulling out a victory would really get the attention of other top teams in the conference. This is a statement game for the Tigers that they must show up for. 

vs. Vanderbilt

Assuming that the Tigers fall short in the first two SEC games against Georgia and South Carolina, this is the game that they must win. They say it's always difficult to get that first victory, and you can't really consider yourself a contender in the conference if you can't beat other teams within that conference.

Vanderbilt is no pushover, though, as they played above-average defense last season and appear to be on the rise under head coach James Franklin. The Commodores should provide a stiff test for the Tigers, but with the game being in Missouri, it's one where the Tigers must step up and take care of business.

at Tennessee

To me these are two of the young and talented teams in the SEC. Sure, Tennessee isn't the great program they used to be, but the teams has talent and is returning 19 starters from a season ago. Don't be surprised if the Volunteers win eight or more games, their highest total since 2007.

With that said, this game is in Knoxville, which is always a difficult place to play. These two programs may be a year or two away from seriously competing in this conference, Missouri must prove that they're the team that may be a step or two above Tennessee by securing a victory. 

at Texas A&M

The Missouri and Texas A&M matchup has the potential to become one of the better rivalries within the conference. The Tigers have won five of the last six meetings, including a 38-31 thriller last season.

But this is a must-win game for Missouri simply because it features the two newbies in the conference. There will be bragging rights on the line in this game, and there's no way the Tigers want to be on the losing end. There have been critics all offseason claiming that neither one of these teams have what it takes to be in the SEC. This will be the chance for them to hush all the naysayers up.

Time to step up to the plate.