Explosive Tigers eyeing Big 12 title

Missouri must replace its starting tailback and nearly 40 percent of its receptions and receiving yards from 2007, but there are plenty of toys left for quarterback Chase Daniel.

Start with Jeremy Maclin, who exploded for a team-high 1,055 receiving yards as the slot receiver last year. He blazed to a 4.32-second 40 time in winter conditioning and looked like a more polished, more complete receiver in the spring.

Throw in tight end Chase Coffman, who already owns the school mark for touchdown catches (including seven last year), though he has been slowed in fall practice with a broken finger.

Sprinkle in Jared Perry, a speedy playmaker in 2006 who became an afterthought last fall. And mix some Danario Alexander, an explosive NFL prototype coming off ACL surgery, and trusty Tommy Saunders, Daniel's favorite target on third down.

There is no reason why Daniel, last year's Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist, can't repeat those honors.

The tailback duties could come down to a committee approach with carries split between Jimmy Jackson, Derrick Washington and redshirt freshman De'Vion Moore.

They'll find holes behind a line that returns experience in right tackle Colin Brown, left guard Ryan Madison and right guard Kurtis Gregory. Center Tim Barnes slides in seamlessly as the anchor, while left tackle should come down to an August battle between Dain Wise and Elvis Fisher.

Lost in the specter of Missouri's dazzling offense was a defense that became one of the Big 12's best.

The Tigers replace nose tackle Lorenzo Williams with Jaron Baston, who split snaps evenly late last year, and return a productive defensive end tandem in Stryker Sulak and Tommy Chavis. Plus, three-year starter Ziggy Hood returns to defensive tackle.

Missouri returns all three starting linebackers, although Van Alexander will be coming off April surgery for a torn ACL. Look for Alexander back in time for the season, but if not, Luke Lambert gets the nod.

After combining for 236 tackles last year, middle linebacker Brock Christopher and Sean Weatherspoon on the weak side help form what should be one of the league's most productive linebacker corps.

Free safety William Moore, who's eight interceptions tied for best in the nation, played half the season with a torn labrum, requiring surgery in January that sidelined him for spring practices. He'll pair with strong safety Justin Garrett, a junior college import that made nine starts last season.

Cornerback might be Missouri's deepest position. Carl Gettis and Castine Bridges have the starting positions locked down, but backups Kevin Rutland, Tremane Vaughns and Trey Hobson emerged as capable playmakers during spring.

A slew of walk-ons have challenged Jake Harry for punting duties, but nobody has quite stepped up yet. Harry, the only scholarship punter on the roster, will likely get the first crack.

There are no worries about the placekicking. All-conference Jeff Wolfert returns, hoping to extend a two-year string of 90 consecutive kicks made (field goals and PATs) during Big 12 play.

OVERVIEW

Last season was a joyride for Missouri -- the team's first Big 12 North Division title, a week atop the national polls, a demolishing of Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl to cap off a 12-2 season (the most wins in school history). Even with all the highs, there's still a roaring fire in the Tigers' belly thanks to the postseason BCS snub. With Gary Pinkel's most talented and experienced Missouri team to date, more milestones are not only possible -- they're expected.

SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 vs. Illinois (St Louis)

Sept. 6 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Sept. 13 NEVADA

Sept. 20 BUFFALO

Oct. 4 at Nebraska

Oct. 11 OKLAHOMA STATE

Oct. 18 at Texas

Oct. 25 COLORADO

Nov. 1 at Baylor

Nov. 8 KANSAS STATE

Nov. 15 at Iowa State

Nov. 29 vs. Kansas (Kansas City)

(For more college football coverage, visit www.lindysports.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)