Previewing San Diego State's 2010 Opponents: Missouri Tigers
Missouri is the only real threat to challenge Nebraska for the Big XII North title and the Tigers also will be considered a team near the top 25 rankings come this preseason. Within the conference every major publication has them second with only The Sporting News having them at third behind Kansas.
Missouri's offense should improve off of their mediocre season they had last year, as they were middle of the pack in most Big XII offensive categories. Part of that has to do with the loss of Dave Christensen who was the offensive coordinator at Missouri for eleven years and was part of the Tigers staff for sixteen years. New offensive coordinator David Yost kept the same offense, but the offense did not click with the loss to QB Chase Daniel graduated in 2008. Blaine Gabbert is a promising five star rated recruit coming out of high school had a decent year leading the Tigers to the Texas bowl.
With a year under his belt and nearly the entire offensive line back the Missouri offense should be much better. Not to say his inaugural season was a failure as Gabbert had 24 TD's to nine picks, 3,593 yards, and nearly a 60% completion percentage. Drastically increasing those numbers will prove a tough challenge, but the way the offense will improve is in the running game. Last year, the Tigers leading rusher was Derrick Washington who had a decent year with 865 yards but had ten touchdowns. Not only does Washington return but so does the top three backs from last year, and with an offensive line that is experienced the running game will be the key for the Tigers to challenge Nebraska for the Big XII North title. Former high school Parade All-American Kendial Lawrence is expected to get an increase work load from his 200 plus yard season.

Coach: Gary Pinkel
Last season: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in the Big 12. Lost to Navy 35-13 in the Texas Bowl.
(minimum of six starts)
Offense (9): C Tim Barnes, T Elvis Fisher, QB Blaine Gabbert, T Dan Hoch, WR Jerrell Jackson, TE Andrew Jones, WR Wes Kemp, TB Derrick Washington, G Austin Wuebbels.
Defense (8): LB Will Ebner, LB Andrew Gachkar, CB Carl Gettis, SS Jarrell Harrison, T Dominique Hamilton, CB Kevin Rutland, FS Jasper Simmons, E Aldon Smith.
Special teams (1): K Grant Ressel.
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Good writeup.
I do have a couple of qualms, however:
First, I think characterizing our offense last year as mediocre is a bit misleading – with a first year starter, 3500 passing yards, scoring plenty of points, etc. It’s certainly a step back from Chase Daniel’s best, but I’d characterize our offense last year as “good, not great,” rather than mediocre. 8-5 in the Big 12 makes for an above-average team, especially when you consider that we were in a rebuilding year, and frankly without a few key defensive breakdowns we would have competed for if not won the North. But I’m a fan, so take that as you will.
Second, the place after the break where you claim no one in the Big 12 North has much of an offense other than Nebraska also undermines your credibility. Mizzou’s offense is leaps and bounds superior to Nebraska’s, which I think looks to be mediocre at best.
The big questions for Mizzou this year are as follows: who steps up to fill Danario Alexander’s shoes? Can Aldon Smith continue his dominance? Will the defensive backfield finally get it together?
Making fun of the "Mizzou Needs a Fullback" Club since...well, for a while, anyway.
thanks
Perhaps I should have used average instead of mediocre because Missouri was middle of the pack in the Big XII.
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by Jeremy Mauss on Jul 21, 2010 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions
The other thing to realize...
Everyone makes it sound like it was a huge gulf between Nebraska and Missouri last season. Missouri led Nebraska 12-0 entering the 4th quarter before NU scored 27 unanswered to win the game. If Mizzou holds onto that game and the rest of the season plays out as it did, both teams end up 5-3 and Mizzou wins the Big 12 North.
Nebraska is still favored in 2010 and rightfully so. But the perceived divide from those not attuned to the conference may be slightly misleading.
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I remember that
Wasnt that the game in a huge rain storm?
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by Jeremy Mauss on Jul 21, 2010 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions
To say the least.
The power went out on the north side of the stadium, it was so bad. Between the rain favoring a defensive battle, and the fact that Ndamukong Suh rolled up Blaine Gabbert’s ankle like play-doh in the first quarter, circumstance was very much against us in that contest.
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"lack of offense in big 12 north"
Jaeger, I think the author inadvertantly used the word “offense” when he meant “defense.” It not only makes sense that way, kinda, but it also fits the context of the paragragh. I think he replied to you comment too quickly to note the typo.
ummmm not to mention
that Gabbert injured his ankle in that monsoon against Nebraska. If Gabbert dosen’t injure his ankle we beat Nebraska and then we would have a whole different season
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