4 x 4 Season Preview: Missouri
Back To SEC
By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com
Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
Missouri’s passing attack should be much more productive in 2013 with a healthy James Franklin and a talented group of receivers.
4 Household Names
1. QB James Franklin (Sr.) – 2012 was a disaster for Franklin, as injuries both in the spring and during the season rendered him a shell of what he was in 2011. He’s healthy now and has a very deep receiving corps with which to work. A more manageable schedule and a full offseason of throwing has Franklin poised to close his Tigers career on a high note, as Missouri hopes to wash away the memories of last year’s 5-7 season.
2. RB Henry Josey (Jr.) – Nov. 12, 2011, was a dark day for Josey, as he suffered a devastating knee injury in a 17-5 win over Texas that sidelined him for well over a year. We knew it was bad at the time, and weren’t sure the day would come when Josey would be playing football again. However, Josey has made it back, and he should split carries this season with Marcus Murphy. It’s been a long road back. Tigers fan or not, you can’t help but pull for Josey this season.
3. WR Dorial Green-Beckham (So.) – It was a major coup when the Tigers landed Green-Beckham, a Show Me State native and No. 1 national recruit in the 2012 class. His freshman year was a mixed bag, as he led the team in touchdown receptions but caught just 28 passes. At 6’6” and 220 pounds, he’s a mismatch wherever he lines up on the field. Missouri has used him both outside and in more of a flex tight end role during offseason scrimmages. Expect both his receptions and touchdowns to double in his sophomore season.
4. CB EJ Gaines (Sr.) – Defensive backs had probably the easiest time of any position group adjusting to life in the SEC, as the Tigers faced fewer spread-to-pass offenses than in the Big 12. Gaines has started each of Missouri’s 25 games the past two seasons and will anchor a veteran secondary this season. He plays an aggressive style both as a cover corner and against the run and will find himself on an NFL roster at this time next year.
RELATED: Missouri is ready to push the reset button
4 Relative Unknowns Who Will Become Household Names
1. RB Marcus Murphy (Jr.) – Known more for his prowess as a returner than as a rusher, Murphy is a quick, shifty back who does his best work in space. The problem, of course, is that finding space against SEC defenses is a premium. He did find the end zone against Alabama, but that came on a kickoff return after the Tide had put the game out of reach. If Missouri’s passing attack can get back its potency that was missing a year ago, Murphy should thrive not only as a returner, but as a rusher and pass catcher as well.
2. WR Darius White (Jr.) – White was one of many five-star recruits in recent years who fell out of grace at Texas. He headed north to Columbia, where he’ll be eligible this season after sitting out 2012 following his transfer. Even at 6’3”, he’s actually one of the shorter receivers that the Tigers have. Unsettled quarterback play hurt White’s development in Austin, but that shouldn’t be an issue here. Expect a big season for a player extremely hungry to finally live up to his hype.
3. C Evan Boehm (So.) – Franklin and Josey weren’t the only Tigers dealing with injuries last season. The offensive line was also hit hard, forcing Boehm to start right away as a true freshman. He did an admirable job and was named a freshman All-American for his efforts. He has excellent size for a middle man at 6’5” and 315 pounds and is one of four starters returning for what should be a much more stable and efficient line this season.
4. LB Kentrell Brothers (So.) – Brothers got his feet wet a year ago with 14 tackles in 11 games as a freshman. He’s now competing for a full-time role on the weak side as the Tigers rebuild a unit that loses mainstays Will Ebner and Zaviar Gooden. He has more upside than junior Darvin Ruise, with whom he’s competing for a starting spot, but has to prove it on the field.
RELATED: Texas A&M and Missouri have headed in opposite directions since joining the SEC
4 Must-See Games
1. Sept. 21 at Indiana – Huh? Indiana? Really? Yes, Indiana. The Tigers may need to sweep their non-conference schedule to become bowl-eligible, and the trip to Bloomington is the biggest potential landmine. It comes after a bye week, which should help. Missouri also is familiar with Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson, who was offensive coordinator at Oklahoma when the Tigers were still in the Big 12.
2. Oct. 19 vs. Florida – A long road trip for a sandwich game between showdowns with LSU and Georgia could have the Gators primed for an upset when they make their first ever trip to Columbia. The Tigers nearly stunned Florida last year in Gainesville, losing by seven in Franklin’s first start after missing almost a month. It’s the first of three straight division home games for Missouri – the most critical stretch of their season.
3. Oct. 26 vs. South Carolina – For the second time in three years, South Carolina has gotten the shaft from SEC schedule makers, having to play three straight conference games on the road. The last of those is at Missouri, who the Gamecocks handled easily last year, 31-10. For the Tigers to truly become a threat to the rest of the conference, they need to win of one the two back-to-back home games against Florida and South Carolina.
4. Nov. 2 vs. Tennessee – The Volunteers did all they could to give last year’s meeting away, but it required four overtimes until the Tigers finally took it. Neither of these teams figures to contend for a division title, but bowl eligibility could be on the line on November’s first Saturday in Columbia. Both teams should be thrilled to see each other. Missouri plays at Georgia, Florida and South Carolina in its three games prior to this one, while Tennessee plays Georgia, South Carolina and at Alabama.
4 Bold Predictions
1. Franklin will start every game. As of mid-August, he still hadn’t officially been the named starter, but being selected to attend SEC Media Days and named a captain should tell you that the decision had been made. Missouri will be much smarter with Franklin in its second year in the SEC. With an improved offensive line, he should be subjected to fewer hits than a year ago. He’ll be one of the more pleasant surprises in the conference this season.
2. Marcus Lucas will again lead the team in receptions. Even with Green-Beckham poised for a big season and White joining the fray, it will again be Lucas, the tall, reliable senior who emerges as Franklin’s top target. He’s more of a possession receiver, but could hit an occasional home run with so many weapons with whom opposing defenses will concern themselves.
3. The Tigers will upset Florida. Florida played down to its level of competition too often last year. It got away with it up until the bowl game, but that won’t happen in 2013. After a hard-fought loss at LSU, a second straight long road trip to what could be chilly central Missouri will catch the Gators napping a bit. After an 0-2 start in conference play and with South Carolina looming, it will be a must win for both the team and perhaps for coach Gary Pinkel.
4. Missouri will play Rutgers in the BBVA Compass Bowl. It’s by no means a great bowl game, but after being home for the holidays last year, any bowl should suffice for Tigers fans. A win at Kentucky on Nov. 9 will get Missouri to six wins, and the Tigers will go bowling despite dropping four of their final five games. At historic Legion Field in Birmingham, they’ll meet Rutgers, who will finish in the middle of the pack in the American Athletic Conference in its final year there before heading to the Big Ten.
Previous 4 x 4 Previews