Missouri Football: Tigers Could Succeed with a Multidimensional Ground Game
At this point during its SEC journey, Missouri has earned the benefit of the doubt, hasn't it?
After all, it weathered the storm in 2013 that included an injury to then-senior starting quarterback James Franklin, won the SEC East and was within a quarter of—perhaps—a berth in the BCS National Championship Game.
The following year, all it did was replace Franklin, stud wide receivers L'Damian Washington and Dorial Green-Beckham, running back Henry Josey and monster defensive ends Michael Sam and Kony Ealy and play for the SEC championship again.
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If the third time is going to be the charm, head coach Gary Pinkel and offensive coordinator Josh Henson might have to reinvent the wheel.
The wide receiving corps for Missouri—as a group—has 10 total receptions heading into the season, with sophomore Nate Brown and his five career catches serving as the elder statesman of the group. What's more, J'Mon Moore and DeSean Blair—two presumed starters—got banged up this week, according to the Associated Press, via FoxSports.com.
Plus, it's not like Missouri has a reliable quarterback. Maty Mauk threw 16 touchdowns and 13 picks during the first three quarters of games in 2014, and nine touchdowns and zero picks in the final frame.
"We need more consistency," Pinkel said at SEC media days in 2015. "There's no question about that. I think that Maty Mauk, he's 14-4 as a starter. He's remarkably good under pressure. We need more consistency from him. He knows that."
How will Pinkel do it? He could hop in the DeLorean and go back to the future.
It's hard to imagine based on the success that the Tigers have had at the wide receiver spot over the last few years, but Missouri finished ninth in the nation in rushing in 2011 with 243.46 yards per game.
Don't be surprised if they follow that same path in 2015.
Mauk isn't exactly Johnny Manziel on the ground but has proven over the last couple of years that he's fully capable of posing a threat on the zone read. He rushed for 373 yards and three touchdowns a year ago and has a strong offensive line returning to help him out.
Russell Hansbrough is the best 1,000-yard running back you've never heard of.
The 5'9", 202-pounder from Arlington, Texas, can shake defenders out of their shoes but is big enough to take some pounding between the tackles. As Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes, he put on seven pounds from a year ago and is being counted on to be the work horse this year for the Tigers.
If the passing game is going to be a work in progress, having a multidimensional running game will keep defenses honest and open up some passing lanes for Mauk and the receivers when the Tigers decide to air it out.
Plus, there are options behind Hansbrough that Pinkel likes. Morgan Steward is a 6'0", 210-pounder who can play more of the bruiser role after sitting out the 2014 season with a hip injury, along with 5'11", 210-pound Tyler Hunt and 6'2", 215-pound Chase Abbington. Ish Witter can serve more in the changeup role formerly occupied by Marcus Murphy.
As Brandon Kiley of KTGR 1580 in Columbia, Missouri, notes, Pinkel expects Witter to be a big part of the game plan.
Yes, Missouri has roster holes, which is par for the course for Pinkel and crew.
But no coach in America is better at adapting to his players than Pinkel. Don't be surprised if that adaptation includes a shift toward a more ground-and-pound approach in 2015.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83.
Follow Barrett on Twitter: @BarrettSallee.
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