The college football season is less than three weeks away and as I try to pass the time between watching baseball highlights and Brett Favre speculation, I can't wait for the gridiron action to get started. So, if we can't watch football, we're going to talk football. So let's continue the Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown.
#17. Missouri Tigers - With only one season remaining with the current makeup of the Big North the Tigers will inevitable have a score to settle with rival Nebraska and a strong desire to finish at the last ever North Champs. Aiding in that mission will be the return of 18 starters including what may be the best quarterback in the Big 12, Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert threw for 3,593 yards and 24 TDs last season with only nine interceptions. Gabbert will be helped by the return of senior running back Derrick Washington. The experienced RB posted 800 + yards on the ground last season, which was a bit of a slump after a sophomore season that saw him top the 1,000 yard mark. This year Washington and his RB cohorts will be expected to put more pop back into the MU ground game in order to help protect Gabbert.
Defensively, the Tigers return uber talented defensive end Aldon Smith, who set MU's all-time single season sack record with 11 1/2 last year. He'll be joined on the line by another talented end, Jacquies Smith. The Tigers would love to be more agressive defensively but will need to tighten up in the defensive backfield. Last season MU ranked 109th in the nation in pass defense and had only eight interceptions.
With an experienced quarterback, running back and offensive line returning, expectations will be high for Missouri. South road games against A&M and Tech will be a challenge but odds are Missouri's success will come down to a one game season in Lincoln against the Huskers the day before Halloween.
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