12/18/10
For some reason nobody seems to be talking much about Missouri football on a national level. The Tigers quietly have put together a No. 14 ranking in the current AP poll. Gary Pinkel took over as Missouri's coach before the 2001 season. Ten seasons later, Pinkel's transformation of the program is obvious. Missouri, which went without a bowl appearance between 1984 and 1996, has gone to seven bowls in the last eight seasons, including each of the past six seasons. The problem in Columbia has been the inability to put the total package together. During the most successful runs under Pinkel the offense has been unstoppable while on the other hand the defense just hasn't been able to stop anyone. The Chase Daniel years were a prime example. Now the Blaine Gabbert years are here and the biggest difference for Gabbert is that Missouri now has a defense capable of hanging with anyone in the Big 12. This is currently the nation's No. 6 scoring defense, quite a feat considering the offensive high scoring nature of this conference. All Big 12 defensive ends Jacquies Smith and Aldon Smith make this the best set of returning pass rushers in the league. The biggest strides have come in the secondary. For Mizzou to make a move into the Top 10 on a permanent basis however, coach Pinkel has to prove he can replace a new set of cornerbacks. Offensively there is potential for some explosive production. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert can run and throw. He has yet to reach his full potential. The good news is that the running game has started to hit a grove. It took a while to figure a way to live without the early season dismissal of All-Big 12 running back Derrick Washington. In the process the Tigers have found three different ball carriers capable of handling the load. All of these pass catchers are back including FWAA First Team All-American tight end Michael Egnew. With ten starters back on offense, the projection for such a lofty ranking can be justified. They seal the deal with a much better defense compared to years past.