Tigers picked near bottom of Big 12

The Associated Press

It's year two of the Gary Pinkel era at Missouri, and there's plenty of work to do.

At the least, the Tigers are more familiar with Pinkel's system. Pinkel was a huge success at Toledo before taking the Missouri job, and players are anticipating an upswing.

"This is a new year and a new team," running back Zack Abron said. "You can forget about the past. We've got a good team and a lot of players who can get the job done.

"I can hardly wait."

But there's much to prove. The Tigers weren't far from contending for minor bowl status at one point last season, only to finish 4-7. They went out with a whimper, getting outscored 79-10 at Kansas State and Michigan State.

Missouri, which has had only two winning seasons since 1983, is picked to finish fifth out of six teams in the Big 12 North Division, ahead of only Kansas.

One way Pinkel hopes to exceed expectations is by having players in better shape. Conditioning has been emphasized since the end of last season.

"I'm used to guys loving the program, seeing in their eyes that the program is part of their lives," Pinkel said. "Then they teach the young player what the program is about. That wasn't close to happening last year, now I'm seeing it.

"How long it takes, I don't know. I haven't set my watch to it."

The Tigers have six starters back on offense and eight on defense, and players are anxious to erase the bad memories in the Aug. 31 opener against Illinois in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

"This game will be a stepping stone to show how we've grown as players and as a program," senior defensive end Keith Wright said. "We've grown in a big way.

"Now, we know what coach Pinkel wants and how he wants us."

Missouri should get off to a fast start with non-conference home games against Ball State (Sept. 7) and Troy State (Sept. 28) along with a game at Bowling Green (Sept. 14). Missouri won't take Bowling Green lightly, though, having lost to the Falcons twice in a row.

The Tigers' conference opener is at home Oct. 5 against Nebraska, whom the Tigers have not beaten since 1978.

Perhaps the make-or-break game is Nov. 2 at Iowa State. That contest begins a tough four-game finishing stretch that also includes home games against Colorado and Kansas State sandwiched around a game at Texas A&M.

The Tigers' best player is senior wide receiver Justin Gage, who has a chance to set the school's career record. Last year, Gage caught 74 passes for 920 yards and five touchdowns, ranking 13th in the country with nearly seven receptions per game.

Gage enters the season with 118 career catches and 1,629 receiving yards

His big numbers are more impressive considering the passing game wasn't very effective last season. Behind Kirk Farmer and Darrius Outlaw, the Tigers finished ninth in the Big 12 in passing.

Redshirt freshman Brad Smith is expected to start the opener against Illinois. Kirk Farmer is listed No. 2.

Abron had 783 yards rushing last year, averaging five yards per carry with five 100-yard games. But the offensive line has to replace three starters and will rebuild around junior center A.J. Ricker.

The top players on defense are Wright, senior defensive end Antwaun Bynum and linebacker Sean Doyle, who had 131 total tackles last year. Wright, a second-team All-Big 12 pick, can play both tackle and end and Bynum had a team-leading seven sacks.