1. Defensive Tackle Issues
Defensive tackle is possibly the most important position on any defense. If a team has good one(s), everyone else’s job on defense is easier. Look no further than Nebraska last season. I seem to remember the Huskers having a pretty solid DT. Mizzou’s tackles on the other hand are unproven. If teams can run the ball against the Tiger defense, it will only add more pressure to the secondary. And Lord knows we don’t want that. If Missouri’s defensive tackles can’t hold their own, it will affect everyone from Aldon Smith to Jasper Simmons. If the defense is really going to be improved like people believe they will be, it’s going to start with strong play by Dom Hamilton and Terrell Resonno. If not, it could be a long season.
2. Gabbert’s Ankle
Blaine Gabbert's ankle has healed from last year, but if he were to suffer another injury that could spell bad news for Mizzou. While fans are excited about the potential of James Franklin, it won’t be good news for the Tigers if he sees the field in anything but mop up duty. Last year we saw that the coaches had no faith in Jimmy Costello as Gabbert’s backup. While the quarterback depth is improved, no one else on the Tiger roster is arguably the best QB in the conference. I think the Mizzou offensive line will be improved, but if Gabbert goes down, it could be bad news for the Tigers.
3. The Schedule
On the negative side of the schedule, that four game stretch of games I discussed below is no walk in the park. While optimists can dream about Mizzou running the table in those games, it’s also feasible that Missouri could lose all four. Add in a slip up against someone like an Iowa State or kU and all of a sudden Mizzou’s looking at seven-win season. With this many players returning, and the expectations this team has for itself, seven wins would be terribly disappointing. In fact, it’d be a disaster. Fans would be mad, boosters would be mad, people would be calling for Pinkel’s job, etc. Missouri cannot afford a seven-win season.