Missouri Tigers
Big 12
Missouri has not won games in their usual Missouri fashion. The offense does not necessarily set up the run with the pass. The passing game is surprisingly inefficient, but that did not stop the Tigers from having a pretty good season. There was a time when Missouri was 3-4 and looking at road trips to Texas A&M and Baylor. Coach Gary Pinkel rallied his troops for a thrilling overtime win over the Aggies, but they lost a heartbreaker to the Bears. At 4-5, this team was not going to give up. They stepped up for their last three games and won them all, finishing with a surprising 5-4 conference mark.
2011 Record: 7-5, 5-4
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Insight Bowl vs. Iowa (L 24-27)
Big Wins: 10/29 at Texas A&M (38-31), 11/12 Texas (17-5)
Bad Losses: 9/9 at Arizona State (30-37), 11/5 at Baylor (39-42)
Coach: Gary Pinkel (84-54 at Missouri, 157-91-3 overall)
Bowl Record: 3-4 at Missouri, 4-4 overall
Offensive Coordinator: David Yost
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Steckel
Strengths:
It was the emergence of the defense that catapulted Missouri to victories in their final three games of the year. After allowing 45 points to Oklahoma State, 31 to Texas A&M and 42 to Baylor, the Tigers turned things around. The next game they shut down Texas, giving up just five points. After that they allowed 27 to a potent Texas Tech offense and just ten to Kansas. Something clicked and this is suddenly a dangerous defense. The front line does not garner too many sacks, but Jacquies Smith and Brad Madison are good pass rushers. The interior of the line, led by Dominique Hamilton, Terrell Resonno and Sheldon Richardson, are a deep and experienced unit. Linebacker Andrew Wilson led the team with 89 tackles during the regular season and Luke Lambert and Zaviar Gooden are proven playmakers. The secondary has been well tested in the Big 12 and the opposition should know better than to throw in E.J. Gaines’ direction. He has broken up an impressive 16 passes during his sophomore season.
Weaknesses:
With talented receivers T.J. Moe and Wes Kemp and perhaps the best tight end in the nation in Michael Egnew, the Missouri offense does not lack in playmakers. However, the numbers have been disappointing. For a team that returned so many skill players, the expectations were much higher for this offense. Just about every running back returned from last season, but it was sophomore Henry Josey who took over the bulk of the carries. Josey has done a fine job and really has turned this into a balanced offense; something not typical in Columbia. With Kendial Lawrence and De’Vion Moore, the Tigers have three very good running backs. The problem is that James Franklin is no Blaine Gabbert. Franklin has had a pretty good sophomore season, throwing for 2,733 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushing for 839 yards and 13 scores, but the offense just lacks that explosive quality they have had in years past.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Henry Josey, RB, 1,168 yards
Passing: James Franklin, QB, 2,733 yards
Receiving: T.J. Moe, WR, 649 yards
Tackles: Andrew Wilson, LB, 89
Sacks: Jacquies Smith, DE, 5.0
Interceptions: Kenji Jackson, S, 3
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 235.67 (11th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 236.75 (56, 6)
Total Offense: 472.42 (13, 5)
Scoring Offense: 32.17 (34, 7)
Rushing Defense: 135.00 (46, 5)
Pass Defense: 247.25 (89, 5)
Total Defense: 382.25 (62, 3)
Scoring Defense: 23.50 (46, 3)
Turnover Margin: .17 (44, 3)
Sacks: 2.08 (43, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 1.50 (41, 4)
