2008 Missouri Tigers
Missouri was snubbed of a BCS bowl berth last season, as they watched the Kansas Jayhawks beat the Virginia Tech Hokies in their place. This came despite a 36-28 Tigers’ victory over the same Kansas team in their second-to-last game of the regular season. The Tigers will be hungry to get their names on a BCS trophy this season, and they have all the tools to get that goal accomplished. Let’s see how they fare with our 2008 Missouri Tigers football predictions below.
Offense:
Missouri will have to replace their starting tailback and 40 percent of its receptions and receiving yards, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of weapons for star quarterback Chase Daniel in 2008. Jeremy Maclin had a team-high 1,055 receiving yards as a slot receiver last year. The scary thing is those numbers could be even better this season, with Maclin blazing for a 4.32-second 40 time in winter conditioning. He looked awesome in the spring and will clearly be Daniel’s go-to guy. Then there’s tight end Chase Coffman, who already owns the school record for most touchdown catches. Jared Perry is a speedy playmaker who should return to the form he showed back in 2006. Trusty Tommy Saunders is Daniel’s favorite third-down target, and Denario Alexander has NFL talent if he can return healthy from ACL surgery.
Daniel has the tools to repeat as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and he could sketch his name on a Heisman Trophy with the talent he has in front of him. The tailback position will be a committee approach with carries split between Jimmy Jackson, Derrick Washington and redshirt freshman De’Vion Moore. The holes will be made by three returning starters on the line in right tackle Colin Brown, left guard Ryan Madison and right guard Kurtis Gregory. The center position will be filled by Tim Barnes whil ethe left tackle spot comes down to Dain Wise and Elvis Fisher in a competitive battle this fall.
Defense:
The Tigers featured such a prolific offense last season that their defense didn’t get the respect it deserved. Ten starters other than nose tackle Lorenzo Williams return, who will be replaced with a capable Jaron Baston. Missouri has a productive defensive end tandem in Stryker Sulak and Tommy Chavis. Three-year starter Ziggy Hood returns at defensive tackle as well for a solid unit up front. Missouri returns all three starting linebackers including Van Alexander, Brock Chrisotpher and Sean Weatherspoon. These three form what will be one of the league’s most productive linebacker corps.
Free safety William Moore tied for the NCAA lead with eight interceptions last season, despite playing half the year with a torn labrum that required surgery in January. He’ll be paired with strong safety Justin Garrett, a junior college transfer who make nine starts last year. Cornerback looks to be the Tigers’ deepest position, which is crucial in a pass-happy Big 12 conference. Carl Gettis and Castine Bridges have the starting positions on lockdown, but backups Kevin Rutland, Treman Vaughns and Trey Hobson emerged in the spring as capable playmakers.
Missouri Tigers Predictions at Info Plays: 1st in the Big 12 North
The Big 12 North is weak once again this season, with the Kansas Jayhawks likely being Missouri’s toughest competition. Nebraska , Kansas State , Colorado and Iowa State are still teams in transition. The Tigers are far above these teams in the skill department with Chase Daniel and a plethora of receivers leading the way on offense. With the motivation from a postseason BCS snub lingering in the balance, the Tigers will have all the motivation needed to make a run at a National title. This is Gary Pinkel’s most talented and experienced Missouri team to date.
Big 12 Wins Expected in ‘08: OKLAHOMA STATE , COLORADO, at Baylor , KANSAS STATE, at Iowa State, vs. Kansas (Played in K.C.)
Potential Scares/Losses: at Nebraska, at Texas
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