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The Big 12 enters its final football season next month, with this collection of teams. We begin our conference pigskin previews, by looking at the Missouri Tigers.
Mizzou returns 16 starters from last year's team that finished 8-5. An inexperienced squad wrapped up 2009 in disappointing fashion, losing to Navy 35-13 in the Texas Bowl. Since that game, Missouri has endured a tumultous offseason, which will end with the Tigers committed to a smaller Big XII, and North Division rivals Nebraska and Colorado leaving for the Big Ten and Pac-10 respectively.
Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel says he wasn't involved in the conference re-shuffling...
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The returning starter for Missouri who will almost certainly face the most scrutiny is quarterback Blaine Gabbert. The junior battled injuries in 2009, but still threw for nearly 3,600 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also finished second in the Big 12 in pass efficiency, behind only Colt McCoy of Texas. Pinkel hopes for big things out of his signal caller...
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Senior running back Derrick Washington has dropped ten pounds in the offseason. He's just one example of a Pinkel player who has trimmed down from last season...
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Starting wideouts Danario Alexander and Jared Perry have both graduated, leaving guys like Wes Kemp with big shoes to fill on the outside. The offensive line returns four starters, anchored by preseason All-Big XII center Tim Barnes. All-conference defensive end Aldon Smith is back for his sophomore year, to lead that line. Luke Lambert of Brookfield is listed at the top of the most recent depth chart at middle linebacker, ahead of Will Ebner, as they both try to fill part of the void left by outside 'backer Sean Weatherspoon.
The secondary could have four senior starters, but that may not be a good thing. The Tigers were 104th nationally in pass defense last season. Coach Pinkel expects improvement...
right-click to download mp3
Grant Ressel is back to lead the special teams, after a breakout sophomore season that saw him convert an NCAA record 96% of his kicks. Trey Barrow of Moberly is listed as the back-up punter on the depth chart, behind senior Matt Grabner.
Mizzou opens its season September 4th against Illinois in Saint Louis. The big battle with Nebraska takes place October 30th at Lincoln, and the Border Showdown against Kansas once again wraps up the regular season, November 27th at Arrowhead.
Mizzou returns 16 starters from last year's team that finished 8-5. An inexperienced squad wrapped up 2009 in disappointing fashion, losing to Navy 35-13 in the Texas Bowl. Since that game, Missouri has endured a tumultous offseason, which will end with the Tigers committed to a smaller Big XII, and North Division rivals Nebraska and Colorado leaving for the Big Ten and Pac-10 respectively.
Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel says he wasn't involved in the conference re-shuffling...
The returning starter for Missouri who will almost certainly face the most scrutiny is quarterback Blaine Gabbert. The junior battled injuries in 2009, but still threw for nearly 3,600 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also finished second in the Big 12 in pass efficiency, behind only Colt McCoy of Texas. Pinkel hopes for big things out of his signal caller...
Senior running back Derrick Washington has dropped ten pounds in the offseason. He's just one example of a Pinkel player who has trimmed down from last season...
Starting wideouts Danario Alexander and Jared Perry have both graduated, leaving guys like Wes Kemp with big shoes to fill on the outside. The offensive line returns four starters, anchored by preseason All-Big XII center Tim Barnes. All-conference defensive end Aldon Smith is back for his sophomore year, to lead that line. Luke Lambert of Brookfield is listed at the top of the most recent depth chart at middle linebacker, ahead of Will Ebner, as they both try to fill part of the void left by outside 'backer Sean Weatherspoon.
The secondary could have four senior starters, but that may not be a good thing. The Tigers were 104th nationally in pass defense last season. Coach Pinkel expects improvement...
Grant Ressel is back to lead the special teams, after a breakout sophomore season that saw him convert an NCAA record 96% of his kicks. Trey Barrow of Moberly is listed as the back-up punter on the depth chart, behind senior Matt Grabner.
Mizzou opens its season September 4th against Illinois in Saint Louis. The big battle with Nebraska takes place October 30th at Lincoln, and the Border Showdown against Kansas once again wraps up the regular season, November 27th at Arrowhead.
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