Missouri Tigers 2011 Team Preview

2010 Season Breakdown

Final record (overall, conference): 10-3, 6-2
Bowl game: Insight Bowl (L, 27-24 vs. Iowa)
Final ranking (AP, Coaches’): 18, 18
Conference finish: T-1^st Big 12 North
Offensive rank: 35^th
Defensive rank: 47^th

2010 Individual Statistics Leaders

Rushing: De’Vion Moore, 517 yards, 8 TD
Passing: Blaine Gabbert, 3,186 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT
Receiving: T.J. Moe, 1,045 yards, 6 TD
Tackles: Zaviar Gooden, 85 tackles
Sacks: Brad Madison, 7.5 sacks
Interceptions: Kevin Rutland, 3 INT

2011 Schedule (all games Saturday unless noted)
*denotes conference game

September 3 vs. Miami (OH) [12:00 PM ET]
September 9 (Fri) @ Arizona State [10:30 PM ET, ESPN]
September 17 vs. Western Illinois
September 24 @ Oklahoma* [8:00 PM ET]
October 8 @ Kansas State*
October 15 vs. Iowa State*
October 22 vs. Oklahoma State*
October 29 @ Texas A&M* [3:30 PM ET]
November 5 @ Baylor*
November 12 vs. Texas*
November 19 vs. Texas Tech*
November 26 vs. Kansas* [12:00 PM ET]

Key Matchups

September 9 @ Arizona State: This is one of the early-season matchups I’m looking forward to. The Tigers need to be careful not to put too much forethought into the conference schedule that begins with a trip to Oklahoma a couple of weeks later, because if they do the up-and-coming Sun Devils could take advantage.

September 24 @ Oklahoma: This was the one that sent Missouri to 7-0 and into the top ten of the BCS rankings and Oklahoma out of the BCS top spot. The Sooners will be coming off a big matchup with Florida State the previous week and will be looking for revenge for last year’s defeat in Columbus.

October 29 @ Texas A&M: This is another big road test. Luckily, they get Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech at home this year.

November 5 @ Baylor: The Bears probably won’t finish at the top of the class, but they’re a dangerous team who I expect to grab at least one marquee victory against a team accustomed to wiping its feet in Waco.

Key Departed Players

Blaine Gabbert, QB; Tim Barnes, C; Aldon Smith, DE; Andrew Gachkar, LB; Kevin Rutland, CB; Carl Gettis, CB;

Key Returning Players

De’Vion Moore, RB; T.J. Moe, WR; Michael Egnew, TE; Brad Madison, DE; Terrell Resonno, DT; Zaviar Gooden, LB; Will Ebner, LB; Kenji Jackson, S

Offensive Overview

After finishing the spring behind quarterback James Franklin on the depth chart, Tyler Gabbert decided to transfer to Louisville—although reports are he’s already left the Cardinals and is searching for a new team again. Anyway, Franklin, a dual threat who’s capable of moving the football on the ground or through the air, enters the fall the starter and should be the man taking snaps when the season rolls around.  He’ll get back leading receivers T.J. Moe and Michael Egnew, the latter of whom will return as the starting tight end. Looking to add a deep threat to the arsenal is Jerrell Jackson, who finished third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. Wes Kemp also returns, giving Franklin several experienced targets.

The offensive line returns pretty much intact minus center Tim Barnes, who was a three-year starter in the middle. Travis Ruth is set to take over for Barnes, while Elvis Fisher and Dan Hoch return at tackle with Jayson Palmgren and Austin Wuebbels at guard. They’ll block for De’Vion Moore, Kendial Lawrence and a host of other backs expected to work their way into the backfield rotation this year. Expect some improvement on the ground this year after last year’s attack finished 57^th in rushing offense.

Defensive Overview

Jacquies Smith and Brad Madison will get the start at defensive end, but Kony Ealy should also see plenty of action off the edge. Michael Sam also provides depth to a front that should be one of the conference’s best. Seniors Terrell Resonno and Dominique Hamilton will man the interior, while Sheldon Richardson has been cleared and will be in the mix as well. The pass rush should be very good this year, but keeping teams from moving the ball on the ground will be one of the keys to a successful defensive effort. The good news is that Nebraska is off to the Big Ten.

Like the defensive line, the linebacker corps is deep this year. Zaviar Gooden and Will Ebner, who missed time last year due to suspension and injuries, return to starting roles, while Luke Lambert and Donovan Bonner return from season-ending knee injuries. Andrew Wilson also returns and is listed as the starter on the strongside. The secondary loses both starting cornerbacks, Kevin Rutland and Carl Gettis, but gets back Kip Edwards who saw extensive action a year ago. E.J. Gaines will line up opposite Edwards and the two are expected to form a formidable duo at the corner spots. Kenji Jackson returns to play strong safety this year, while Tavon Bolden and Matt White will compete for the starting gig at the free safety spot with the former listed atop the post-spring depth chart.

Beat Writer’s Take

I’ve asked writers and alumni from around the country to give their take on the local team heading into the 2011 season. Providing his take on the Tigers is Hank Koebler, sportswriter for the Huffington Post and a student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

“A lot will be made of quarterback Blaine Gabbert’s departure to the NFL, but only by people who aren’t familiar with Missouri football. Gabbert’s replacement, sophomore James Franklin, came in on the occasional Wildcat-style play last year and immediately provided sparks for the offense whenever he stepped foot on the field. After his impressive spring game performance, Missouri should have no reason to worry, as Franklin showed he could make good reads, and run with the ball when nobody was open. His ability to throw downfield is much better than Gabbert’s, and he’ll get plenty of chances to take shots downfield with the return of a talented receiving corps including Jerrell Jackson, T.J. Moe, Wes Kemp, and tight end Michael Egnew.

“The defense won’t miss a beat without defensive end Aldon Smith, because coach Gary Pinkel has done a great job of amassing depth at the position and will rotate two or three players at each end spot to keep them fresh while wearing down offensive tackles. The biggest question mark on defense is the secondary. In a pass-heavy league like the Big 12, the defensive backfield’s lack of starting experience is the only reason Pinkel has to worry. If the unit gels quickly though, there’s no reason to believe Missouri can’t compete for a Big 12 title.”

Top Draft Products

Michael Egnew, TE; Elvis Fisher, OT; Jacquies Smith, DE; Will Ebner, LB

Season Prediction

4^th Big 12

It’s tough to say where exactly Missouri will fall in the Big 12 standings this year with a nine-game conference schedule. They’ve been pretty consistent the last few years but now must face all of the former Big 12 South members and finish ahead of all of them for the conference title, rather than finish ahead of the slew of former Big 12 North’ers for the shot at the title. They took down the top-ranked Sooners a year ago and Oklahoma could again be the top-ranked team in the country when they meet on September 24 in Norman. A win there would do wonders for the Tigers’ confidence and they’d get Kansas State and Iowa State over the next three weeks instead of diving right into a matchup with Nebraska like they did last year. Nevertheless, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are going to be tough to contend with this year, while Texas is a wildcard.

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