Music to listen to: A Change Would Do You Good by Sheryl Crow
The start of the 2011 college football season is less than a month away so its time to start the Sports Inquirer Top 25 Preseason Ranking beginning with Missouri.
Last season: The Tigers had their third 10-win season in four seasons last year under head coach Gary Pinkel. They finished the year 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12. Missouri’s biggest win of the year came at home against Oklahoma, which pushed the team’s record to 7-0. However, consecutive road losses at Nebraska and Texas Tech eliminated any hopes of winning the Big 12 North. The season ended on a down note as the Tigers were defeated by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Insight Bowl, 27-24.
Offense: The biggest loss from last season’s squad coming into 2011 will be quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who parlayed one excellent season into becoming a first-round draft pick of Jacksonville in May.
The hope was for Tyler Gabbert to replace his big brother at quarterback and he even emerged as the starter after spring practices. However he has left the program, leaving the spot open to sophomore James Franklin. Missouri has replaced quarterbacks efficiently before going from Brad Smith to Chase Daniell to Blaine Gabbert under Pinkel, so the transition to Franklin shouldn’t be less of a worry because of the effectiveness of the spread offense the Tigers employ.
The good news also is that Missouri will return nine offensive starters, including four offensive lineman. The Tigers also return its top three rushers from last year, De’Vion Moore, Henry Josey and Kendal Lawrence, each of whom rushed for at least 400 yards last year. Furthermore, the team’s leading receiver from last year, T.J. Moe, who had over 1,000 yards receiving last year, is back along with All-America contender Michael Egnew at tight end.
Defense: The Tigers also had a top-10 NFL Draft pick last year in Aldon Smith who won’t be back this season. However, Missouri returns defensive ends Jacquies Amith and Brad Madison who should be able to make up for the departure of Smith. Zavier Gooden is back at linebacker and he should contend for a spot on the All-Big 12 team.
The biggest concern is in the secondary, which must replace three starters. The only returner in the unit is cornerback Kip Edwards.
Coaching: Before Pinkel came to Missouri in 2001, the Tigers had only TWO winning season in 19 years. Since 2005, Missouri has averaged more than nine wins a season, including having 40 wins the last four years. Needless to say, the Tigers are in good hands. Furthermore, his college roommate while Pinkel was at Kent State was Jack Lambert.
Schedule:
9/3 vs. Miami (Ohio)
9/9 at Arizona State
9/17 vs. Western Illinois
9/24 at Oklahoma
10/8 at Kansas State
10/15 vs. Iowa State
10/22 vs. Oklahoma State
10/29 at Texas A&M
11/5 at Baylor
11/12 vs. Texas
11/19 vs. Texas Tech
11/26 vs. Kansas*
* in Kansas City, Mo.
Traveling to Oklahoma and Texas A&M will be tough as well as a tricky game at Arizona State. Outside of that, Missouri is arguably the better team in the rest of their contests and also get Texas and Oklahoma State at home. Those last two contests are swing contests and can determine whether the Tigers finish second in the Big 12 or fifth.
Best case: Franklin emerges as a competent quarterback and the team only suffers two setbacks, at Oklahoma and home to either Oklahoma State or Texas A&M. The Tigers make a case for being an at-large BCS team but settles for a trip to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl.
Worst case: The offense suffers with the transition at quarterback, losses at Arizona State and Oklahoma, get upset on the road to team they’re clearly better than like Kansas State or Baylor, Texas regains its mojo and they suffer a humiliating loss at the end of the season to hated rival Kanas. That would give them an overall record of 5-7, the worst record the Tigers have had in years.
Alumni Crush: On the women’s side, I’m taking Sheryl Crow who emerged from being Michael Jackson’s backup singer (for real, look it up) to being one of the most successful solo female artists in the past 30 years. I’ve always liked her music, plus she used to date Eric Clapton (once again, for real) so if she’s good enough for Slowhand, than she’s invited to the Pourtout Palace anytime as well.
For the ladies and non-traditional sports fans, I’ll give you Jon Hamm.
Uniform grade: Any teams that wears black and gold gets cool points in my book, so Missouri is starting on the right foot.
I don’t like when the team wears the all-gold alternates, it doesn’t look right in person. I would also like to see them incorporate the tiger head logo on the helmet instead of the block “M” that they currently lose. Overall, I like the direction of the uniforms, especially the multi-toned pants with the nice design on the side. Grade: B+
Favorite football alum: I enjoyed Brad Smith’s time with the Tigers but I’m actually going to take Justin Gage, wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans.
Overall Analysis: If Franklin can be a good quarterback, Missouri may actually be better than last year. However, the schedule doesn’t shake in the Tigers favor, especially the road contests to Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
Prediction: 8-4
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?
The Sports Inquirer 
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