12/8/09
The grand tradition at NationalChamps.net has always been to go out on a limb and make this Early Bird No. 25 team something we call our Dark Horse Pick, which we reserve for long shot teams sitting far outside of most preseason projections. While Missouri does not really fit into this category, some may still raise questions as to the validity of such a pick. The Tigers are short on all-stars, they lose some huge receivers from an offense that is based on throwing the ball, and the defense has a few issues in the backfield. However, coach Gary Pinkel has been stockpiling prep talent. Blaine Gabbert is a pro-built 6'5 hurler who also has impressed with his legs (ala Chase Daniels). There are 17 starters returning altogether from an 8-4 team that, with a little development this off-season, can really be considered one of the front-runners in a marginally weak Big 12 North Division. No reason exists why this secondary should continue to struggle with four returning senior starters coming back. This is not going to be one of those Missouri teams that winds up scoring on every possession much like the days with Daniel leading them, but they’re not far behind that level of play, either. Missouri football is on solid footing and is still capable of putting a winning team on the gridiron every year.