By Wendell Barnhouse
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent
A daily countdown previewing the upcoming college football season continues. Today: Missouri Tigers.
2007: 12-2 overall, 7-1 in North Division, 1st.
Bowl game: Defeated Arkansas, 38-7, in Cotton Bowl.
Coach: Gary Pinkel, 49-36 in 8th season.
Returning starters: 6 offensive, 10 defensive.
Staff changes: None. The Tigers’ coaching staff has been in place since 2001.
Offensive outlook: Senior quarterback Chase Daniel grew up running the spread offense. Not only is he a perfect fit in the Tigers’ scheme, he’s a competitor and a leader. Missouri has to replace leading rusher Tony Temple and leading receiver Martin Rucker but there is depth and talent at both positions. Receiver/returner Jeremy Maclin is a game breaker.
Defensive outlook: With Daniel running a potent offense, much of the attention and excitement will center on the Tigers’ offense. The defense, though, returns 10 starters. By the end of last season, the unit was one of the best in the Big 12. Safety William Moore and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon are play makers and emotional leaders. If the defense improves, it could be a surprise factor in Missouri’s success.
Player on the spot: Senior tight end Chase Coffman. He can be a dominant receiver but during his career he’s been a two-man act along with Martin Rucker. Coffman also has been injury prone. He needs to have a big season because he’s one of the Tigers’ top receiving threats.
Player on the rise: Sophomore running back Derrick Washington. The Tigers’ offense is not all about the pass. As Tony Temple proved in the Cotton Bowl, if the defense sells out to stop Daniel and Co., the running game can be lethal. Washington is a tough runner between the tackles who is adept at finding gaps.
Number of note: 2,776. That’s the all-purpose yardage accumulated last season by Maclin. It was an NCAA Division I-A record for a freshman.
Date book: If the Tigers reach October undefeated - and they should if they’re true conference and national title contenders - that month will be crucial. It starts with a dicey trip to Nebraska; the Tigers haven’t won in Lincoln since 1978. Then comes a home game with Oklahoma State followed by a road trip to Texas. The game with the Longhorns could have national title implications. Missouri closes out the month with a home game against Colorado. The regular season concludes against Kansas in Kansas City. As it did last season, that came could decide the North title.
2008 SCHEDULE
| Aug. 30 | vs.
| Illinois
|
Sept. 6
|
| Southeast Missouri State
|
Sept. 13
|
| Nevada
|
Sept. 20
|
| Buffalo
|
Oct. 4
| at
| Nebraska*
|
Oct. 11
|
| Oklahoma State*
|
Oct. 18
| at
| Texas*
|
Oct. 25
|
| Colorado*
|
Nov. 1
| at
| Baylor*
|
Nov. 8
|
| Kansas State*
|
Nov. 15
| at
| Iowa State*
|
Nov. 29
| vs.
| Kansas*
|
* - Big 12 Game
|
|
|
THE SCHEDULE - BIG 12 SKYWRITERS TOUR PRESENTED BY TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL