Mizzou Looking at Probable 9-3 season

I want to take a look at this time to a Big Xll team that has been a solid program in the last few years, especially about two years ago when they were at one time ranked #1 in the country. However, they have not been able to overcome the likes of Oklahoma and Texas to win the Big Xll. The 2009 season will end up more of the same.

The Tigers have a favorable schedule this year because they don't play OU and they host Texas at Homecoming. Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert is currently at the top of the depth chart and will probably be the starting quarterback to replace All-American and Heisman Trophy Candidate Chase Daniel come Sept. 5 when the Tigers head to St. Louis to take on Ron Zook's Illinois team. Jr. Tailback Derrick Washington looks to help exceed the Tigers rushing attack in 09. The Tigers rushed for a total of 2,153 yards in 2008, helping the offense put up an average of 42.2 points per game to the opposition's 27.2 points per game. Washington himself rushed for 1,036 yards with 17 touchdowns.

With big play guys Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman gone to the NFL, the Wide Receiving Corps needs to step up big time. Sophomores Wes Kemp and Brandon Gerau, along with R-Frsh Gahn McGaffie will have to fill the gap left by the departures of Maclin and Coffman.

Senior WLB Sean Whitherspoon returns for his final year. He will anchor the Line Backing Corps. He had a total of 76 solo tackles and 79 assisted tackles for a total of 155 in 08, with an average of 18.5 tackles for losses of 75 yards.

Looking at the schedule, combined with my humble opinion, I'd say the Tigers will finish 9-3. I think they'll beat Illinois in the Mississipi River War in St. Louis to open the season. Bowling Green might be a tough game. MAC teams have fared well against the big boys in recent years. The Falcons defeated Purdue back in 2003, but Mizzou will prevail. Obviously Furman should be a given, although that's what Michigan thought when App. St. came to the Big House 2 years ago. Furman actually took Pitt to Overtime a couple of years ago, so the Purple Paladins might be a surprise. Again, however, the Tigers will prevail.

The trip up game for Missouri will be the Wolf Pack of Nevada. Chris Alt's Pistol Offense has wreaked havoc on opponents, so much so that coaches of BCS teams have Incorporated it into their offensive schemes. One more thing, the game is in Reno. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that the Tigers will be upset by the Wolf Pack. The Tigers host the Longhorns for Homecoming.Missouri might pull off an upset over Texas, but I doubt it. Their remaining home games are against Nebraska, Iowa St., Baylor with road trips to Oklahoma St., Colorado, Kansas St. and the Border War with KU at Arrowhead. I will say that Mizzou will beat Nebraska, K St., CU, ISU, Baylor and KU, but will fall in Stillwater and Reno, along with a Homecoming loss to Texas. That will put them a 9-3 for the season. I might be wrong about the Texas game and the Nevada game, as well as the entire season outcome. But I'm just a prognosticator and a blogger. Let College Football begin.