By Wendell Barnhouse | wendell@big12sports.com
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent

2010: 10-3 overall, 6-2 in Big 12.
Bowl: Lost to Iowa, 27-24, in Insight Bowl.
Starters returning: 9 on offense, 6 on defense.

Overview
The Tigers have won 48 games over the last five seasons. A major reason for that success was the quarterback play of Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert, who are both in the NFL. Finding a productive quarterback is the main question mark heading into the season.

Missouri has a number of play makers on offense and returns four starters on the offensive line. The defense returns six starters and the replacements - particularly in the secondary - could be upgrades from last season. Brad Madison and Jacquies Smith will give the Tigers arguably the best defensive end duo in the Big 12.



Who's Missing
Blaine Gabbert might have been a Heisman Trophy candidate had he returned for his senior season. Instead, he was a first-round NFL Draft pick. So, to, was defensive end Aldon Smith. Steady center Tim Barnes is gone from the offensive line and both cornerbacks must be replaced.

Who's back
Receivers T.J. Moe, Michael Egnew Wes Kemp and Jerrell Jackson give the Tigers a versatile group of receivers. Moe, if he duplicates last season's production, could wind up as an All-American. Running backs De'Vion Moore and Kendial Lawrence came out of spring football listed as co-starters at running back; both can be productive runners. Nose tackle Dominique Hamilton is back after missing half the season with a broken leg. His return to form is crucial in order for the middle of the defensive line to be effective.

Spring news
* Sophomore James Franklin is the starter and redshirt freshman Tyler Gabbert (Blaine's younger brother) the backup at quarterback. At least that's what happened during the spring. Gabbert has vowed to use the summer to improve and plans to push Franklin for the job. Franklin saw spot action last season as Blaine Gabbert's backup. In the spring game, Franklin was 13 of 21 for 116 yards and two TDs while Gabbert was only 8 of 22 passes for 48 yards and an interception.

* Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was a top recruit out of St. Louis' Gateway Tech but he wasn't eligible coming out of high school. After going to a West Coast junior college, it wasn't certain that Richardson would remain with Missouri. His eligibility for the fall is still up in the air but if he plays for the Tigers this fall, he should provide needed depth to a unit that's already talented.

* Junior Kip Edwards and sophomore E.J. Gaines are the top candidates to be Missouri's starting corners. Both have talent but are lacking game experience. The Tigers also have good depth at that position. "The depth at that position, where we stand now, is probably as good as it's been in a long time around here," Gary Pinkel said. "That's a position that's hard to get significant depth there. For some reason, that's always difficult."

Coach Gary Pinkel says
"There's not a timetable (on deciding on a starting quarterback). "I would generally not like to wait until the week before the game to announce it, but if that happens, that happens. Let the competition begin, and we'll see where it goes. You've just got to let the players determine it through competition. And we kind of stay out of it."

Schedule

Sept. 3	Miami (OH)
Sept. 9	at Arizona State
Sept. 17	Western Illinois
Sept. 24	at Oklahoma
Oct. 8	at Kansas State
Oct. 15	Iowa State
Oct. 22	Oklahoma State
Oct. 29	at Texas A&M
Nov. 5	at Baylor
Nov. 12	Texas
Nov. 19	Texas Tech
Nov. 26	vs Kansas (Kansas City, Mo.)