Missouri Football: 5 Reasons Tigers Will Surprise in the SEC

The Missouri Tigers will be taking their talents from the Big 12 to the SEC this coming college football season.

With that big switch will come several growing pains, but also several new opportunities.

This team will get a chance to show what they are truly made of, and they are ready to surprise some people.

Let’s take a look at five reasons Mizzou will surprise many SEC teams this year.

5. The Big 12 Was Almost as Good as the SEC in 2011

It’s not like Missouri is going from a weak conference to a power conference.

They are going from the second-best college football conference to the best college football conference. It isn’t as big of a jump as people think.

Missouri will certainly have an adjustment period, but they should be able to handle themselves just fine in 2012.

4. SEC Defenses Won’t Be Ready for the Spread Offense

The SEC has the best defenses in the country, but there will still be a little bit of an adjustment period when it comes to Mizzou’s spread offense.

They can watch tape all they want, but until they actually have to stop it on the field, they won’t fully understand what the Tigers are all about offensively.

Missouri is equally effective running and throwing from the spread, so teams will have to be ready for both options at all times.

3. M-I-Z! D-G-B!

Mizzou was able to land prized in-state wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham this offseason, adding him to an already talented group of wide receivers.

If DGB is as good as advertised, he and T.J. Moe (pictured here) will create a lot of problems for opposing defenses.

DGB’s speed and size will make him tough for SEC cornerbacks to cover.

2. The Defense Is Better Than People Think

Whether it’s the depth at the defensive end position or the stable of reliable linebackers, the Missouri defense is better than it gets credit for.

They were very competitive against the high-flying offenses of the Big 12, so moving to the SEC won’t be too much of a challenge for the defense.

As long as they shore up their secondary, they’ll be able to hold their own against teams like Florida and South Carolina.

1. James Franklin Is Already One of the Best Quarterbacks

With the possible exception of Georgia’s Aaron Murray, James Franklin may already be the best quarterback in the SEC.

He can run the ball just as well as he can throw, which will make things difficult for opposing defenses.

If he can utilize DGB and T.J. Moe to the best of their abilities this season, the Missouri offense will be just fine.

The SEC isn’t used to seeing an offense this potent.