Breaking away from the recaps/previews, etc. for a brief moment, time to loosen up with this.
Season 1 finished up rather quickly. So quick, in fact, that I realized how much time I have on my hands this summer. Which is a good thing. I dished out a recap for each game of Season 1 of the Calvin Smith Era in Missouri, and the Tigers went 7-6 and lost in the Gator Bowl.
Many, many questions heading into Season 2. The Tigers are switching to a pro-style offense, and a 3-4 base defense. A total of 14 seniors graduated, four were drafted in the NFL. There are plenty of holes heading into 2014, where the Tigers are projected to finish fourth in the SEC East.
The playmaking core from a year ago is back. Dorial Green-Beckham is back after his record-breaking sophomore season as a preseason All-American, and Henry Josey is back for his senior season along with backup Marcus Murphy. The offensive line has an average weight of 310 pounds who will protect the quarterback.
But, who will be the Missouri quarterback in 2014?
James Franklin was the nation's leader in passing a year ago, and now with the Tigers switching to a new offense, every factor needs to be taken into consideration. The top two on the depth chart are junior Corbin Berkstresser and redshirt sophomore Maty Mauk.
Both excelled in spring practices throwing the ball, which is what Smith wants. Both guys, though, are about even. Mauk has the running ability in his game, but Berkstresser has the better arm. Smith told me that he doesn't want to split time, so whatever decision he makes, it'll be a season-long decision, unless mentioned otherwise.
As for the defense, more questions than the offense. Andrew Wilson is gone. EJ Gaines is gone. Randy Ponder is gone. The senior leadership is gone, and this defense is projected to struggle as much as it did last year, if not more.
Moving to a 3-4 defense called for some decisions that players wouldn't normally feel comfortable with. One of them was figuring out what to do with All-American selection and Nagurski Award winner Kony Ealy, whether to leave him as a defensive end or a pass-rushing linebacker. For now, Ealy will stay up front.
Defensive tackles Lucas Vincent and Matt Hoch have fought for playing time as the lone DT, and Smith likes the progression Vincent has made, and he'll get the start. As for linebackers, sophomore Torey Boozer is the left outside rusher. All-American selection Darvin Ruise has moved to middle linebacker and will team with sophomore Donavin Newsom. Junior Kentrell Brothers will be on the opposite side of Boozer.
The secondary is weak, but it has a capable leader: All-American safety Braylon Webb, who had a terrific season for Mizzou last year.
Did you catch all that? Good. Now to the fun stuff.
NEW CONFERENCE REACHES AQ STATUS
The NCAA decided to give only five conferences (Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, SEC and Pac-12) automatic qualifying status for a BCS game. Sadly, the playoff isn't in this game. Can next year get here soon enough?
Nevertheless, for the 2014 season, the NCAA has decided to make a bold move in regards to AQ status. For the first time, after a stellar season from multiple teams a year ago, the Mountain West Conference will be the sixth team who will qualify for a BCS game.
Which means, whomever wins the conference championship game, that team will be qualified for either one of the five bowl games. No pre-determined bowl has been set for now. Boise State reached the Sugar Bowl as an at-large bid last year, but was blown out by South Carolina. With the emergence of Fresno State and Utah State, the Mountain West is projected to be much stronger.
MIZZOU's 2014 SCHEDULE
Ready for this? How about a schedule with an A+ rating and a neutral site game for the first of the year?
Week 1 - BYE
9/6 - vs. No. 13 Kansas State (at AT&T Stadium)
9/13 - at No. 11 LSU
9/20 - vs. Auburn
9/27 - vs. Toledo
10/4 - at Vanderbilt
10/11 - at No. 12 Georgia
10/18 - at Syracuse
10/25 - vs. No. 10 South Carolina
11/1 - vs. Kentucky
11/8 - at Tennessee
11/15 - BYE
11/22 - vs. No. 22 Florida
11/29 vs. No. 9 Texas A&M
Yeah. This schedule is not for the weak.
Season 2 is coming soon. Recaps won't be as frequent, but it's all good. This should be fun.
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