I hope you’ve been reading Paul Myerberg’s excellent preseason run down of every D-1 school. Today he turns his attention to his No. 44, Missouri. There’s plenty to digest, but I’ll cut to the chase for you with this:
I think that a perfect 4-0 mark during non-conference action and three wins during SEC play is in the cards for Missouri in 2012. But… if Franklin is ready, the defensive line better than advertised and the secondary improved, the Tigers are going to end up loving life in the SEC – and eventually ranked far higher than No. 44.
Read the whole thing.
Get The Picture 
Boy, that Myerberg does his homework. Very thorough.
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Tru dat….amazing, actually….AJC lazy butts take notice.
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I thought everything was a go for Franklin when the season got here…he kinda makes that sound like it’s still in question. Berry interesting…
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From all I’ve read he will be ready, so I’d change that line to…”if Franklin STAYS healthy”.
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Not meant as a nitpick above…..Awesome write up & great research tho, I took it over to the Mizzou Tigerboard & they are saying it’s spot on…
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They HOPE he will be ready. The injury he’s coming back from is not typically a speedy recovery. They keep saying they “expect” him to be ready but that’s happy talk. It’ll be “wait and see” on Franklin.
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+1 Hogbody–wow who is this guy?
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New York Times’ head sports writer; not sure you’re allowed to read him any more south of the Ohio River. 🙂
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Cliff notes?
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Does anyone think he’s a little optimistic about Missouri only needing to worry about UGA and USC to win the East? Are they that likely to beat UT and FU?
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UT – probably. UF? I think they’ll be a little tougher than he thinks.
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The most likely scenario IMHO is that Mizzou wins all its OOC games plus beats Vandy and UK to get to 6-6. To win 7 regular season games Mizzou has to beat one of: UGA, UT, USCe, UF, Bama or A&M. I’m betting they do beat one of those, most likely UT. They also might beat UF or A&M (but probably not both) which could get them to 8 wins.
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Think you were spot on before the last sentence. I would not put my money on the Tigers in those two games. Vegas will probably reflect similarly.
By the way, what part of FU’s game do you think makes them vulnerable to the Mizzou we read in this article? I’m anxious to read your thoughts. This ain’t a test, it’s an opinion contest. I’m interested in a lot of takes about FU. I think that they are mentally hyped back to the beginning of last year’s contests. It may wind up that we have to unhype them. If we have a loss before we play FU, they will be in Tebow hyperspace.
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I have confidence in Mizzou’s chances against A&M right now. We’ve been to college station the past 2 yrs, and have gone in there, played tough, and WON! (and last season were -12.5 pt underdogs) It’s now expected to win against A&M.
– not trying to sound cocky by any means – it’s just the team’s confidence is there, and the idea of setting a record 3 straight wins @A&M (I mean, what kind of crazy scheduling forces you to play an opponent on their field three years running?!) will really help motivate this team!
It’s the final game of season, and although I expect MU to be very exhausted by then, I see A&M being very very very VERY spent at that point!
…Whatever happens, can’t tell you how exciting it is to be playing in the SEC!
(and Paul Myerberg’s pre-snap read website is dynamite! He’s been doing it for a few yeas, so check out previous year predictions, etc. Truly awesome site!)
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You may very well be right.
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The guy is fairly honest in his assessment and the word parsing by our fans here is accurate. Look closely for the authors qualifying words and you may come up with an average team at Mizzou.
It doesn’t make a big rat’s ass where we all classify them in our minds between now and the 8th, but I for one think we should give their team a resounding measure of respect and then kick their ass like they are the newest and meanest bastards north of Little Rock. Set the tone for ’12 in the SEC. Every reason why Aaron plus the backfield can have a field day, especially off the right corner.
Don’t know about most of you, but I am up there when it comes to observing whether King just continues in the same vein that he ended with in the bowl game. Our WRs have been given short shrift as far as I’m concerned whereas they are capable of tearing everyone a new ahole when combined with the solid QB position that’s 3-deep. And their success will grow the new RBs plus our stalwart horses at RB.
If Franklin is not in top shape to take the field and do well, he could get hurt in this game. I think Pinkel will take care not to let the season get away from him and will not play him unless he has full confidence. He’s going to need all of that in order to take the field.
Sic’em Dawgs!
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