2013 Outlook - Missouri

In his 12 years at the helm of Mizzou, Gary Pinkel has developed one of the better run football programs in the country.  His team's are consistently competitive, and they seem to do it with less talent than some of their opponents.  This year, the program moves from the Big 12 to the SEC, and although it may cause some growing pains, I expect them to be more trouble than some anticipate this season, and even better in the years following.

Since Pinkel arrived in Columbia, he has had the blessing of solid long term QB play.  From Brad Smith, to Chase Daniel, to Blaine Gabbert, the Mizzou QBs have always been solid producers.  The Tigers have every reason to believe that James Franklin is the next in that line of QBs.  He has a very strong arm, is difficult to tackle, and is tough as nails.  TJ Moe will be his primary target this year, with the exciting FR Dorial Green-Beckham also getting some looks.  SR RB Kendall Lawrence looks as if he will lead the way in the backfield, but what the Tigers really need is for JR RB Henry Josey to be healthy.  If he is, they will have a solid and deep running game.  If not, this may be a weakness for this squad.  The big fellas up front are nothing to write home about, which may reduce the output of the whole offense.

One defense, the Tigers have a very talented linebacking corp.  SR MLB Will Ebner returns to man the middle and he has some great athletes along side him in SR Zavier Gooden and JR Andrew Wilson.  These guys will make plays, but they cannot do it alone.  Upfront, the Tigers need to produce a pass rush, and their best chance for that will be to get rFR Shane Ray on the field.  Unfortunately he is not currently projected as a starter, and frankly, I'm not sure why.  In the secondary, superstar athlete EJ Gaines will man one corner position for this, his JR year.  Unfortunately for Mizzou, none of his battery mates are nearly as talented, and thus leaves this team exposed.

Again, Pinkel is a very good coach, and he schemes well which will help his team stay in football games.  They move to the SEC this year though, which is a step up in competition, and that will likely result in 6 or more losses this year.