chriservin1

Given the complete physical dominance Mizzou imposed on UK last year, I think you should revisit your comment. Time of possession was about as lopsided as I've seen and UK had no answers on offense. I wholeheartedly agree with A&M at no. 1.

All of this Henson bashing is out of place. 2013 is evidence of that. The offense has not executed for the last two years. It is not the play calling. It is the lack of productive players. Mauk, as much as he is a competitor, is not a great QB. He can't read a defense and always throws late. Having the super stud receivers he had in back up duty for Franklin in 2013 made him look better than he was, but even that year he had a terrible completion percentage. The guy is clutch, but if you give away points with interceptions, sometimes you won't catch up in the fourth quarter. In any case, this isn't on Henson, and he coaches the tight ends, not the line now by the way.

It is laughable that you do not mention Kentrell Brothers.

I am surprised you didn't consider Boehm. He is one of the most talented and experienced linemen in the entire conference and he will be playing on Sundays.

The back end of Mizzou's defense is experienced and talented. I think they should be alright this year. I just don't think they will have enough on offense to get it don this year. No proven receivers. I hope they prove me wrong.

I think that Mauk will be better this year at staying in the pocket and he should have one. The offensive line should be strong. I agree that the offense can't carry the team though with all of the newbie receivers. As far as the D-Line is concerned, I think they may surprise people. They won't be up to last year's standard, but if Augusta can get his eating under control, they could make some noise. I would be pleased as punch with 8-4 this year. We'll see what happens.

Good choice. Glad to see it.

If Mizzou is going to be in a crap bowl, I wish they would end up in the Belk Bowl. I would have a shorter drive to catch the game.

DGB was irreplaceable. Whatever kind of route runner he was, he was a freakish athlete and could adjust to the ball in the air better than any receiver Mizzou has had since Jeremy Maclin. If Lucas and Washington were bad route runners, why were they open so much? I think a lot of the drop off in Mauk's performance last year was due to the fact that he had receivers who were inferior to their predecessors. There was not as much separation between receivers and defenders because our receivers were less talented. Until these new receivers catch the ball and score in games, I won't be convinced. DGB, Lucas and Washington they are not.

I dislike the way this season is lining up. I think it likely that this will be a down year for Mizzou. Of course that will translate to SEC fans saying that Mizzou was overated to begin with. In Mizzou's two division championship seasons, it was because UGA, FL and UT were having down seasons. Perhaps the rest of the division will benefit from Mizzou's down year(assuming it happens). No one will say that though. I love the consistency.

Not sure where the confidence of a blowout is coming from. Mizzou does look a bit more challenged this year, but their defense should still be good (in particular the back end and the D-Line may surprise). The game last year was what it was because the offense kept turning the ball over and giving UGA great field position. Chubb had one of his worst games in terms of ypc. He just didn't have to go far. GA not having an established QB makes their offense a big question mark. Chubb can't do it all. I am not saying that Mizzou wins the game. Mauk may stink it up or the young receivers may not be able to hold onto the ball. I just think your confidence in a blowout is not justifiable.

I think Brothers and Scherer will cause people to take notice this year. They were the top tandem from last year and should have more work this year. They get up and down the very quickly. They are both big run stoppers and they will need to be that again without Brantley clogging up the middle and less first line help on the edges. I would love to see All SEC honors for both of them. They are very deserving young men.

I see from your profile that you have coached. Excuse the question.

I think calling this the most under-rated roster in the NCAA is a major stretch. It looks like a rebuilding year to me with no experience WRs, an inconsistent QB and a thin DL. What precisely did Loud do? I didn't think that information was ever released. Have you coached at the high school or collegiate level? In any case, Missouri has no equivalent replacement for Brantley. He was a potential All American. I hope Mauk, his receivers and Hansbrough all step up big. The defense is going to need all of the help it can get.

ZOU. It's certainly all speculation now. I think that we may be ranked too high. This ranking must be predicated on the assumption that our inexperienced receivers step up. I don't think that is a safe assumption. I don't think the D will be as good this year. I think a lot of the success the secondary had last year was due to a pass rush that simply won't be there with Loud and Brantley gone. Unless the offense is significantly better than last year I think finishing with a winning record would be a worthy goal; forget about being ranked.

I would say the SEC has seen it. 2013 with Franklin, Josey and and the superb WR trio (not to mention Mauk in sub duty) was an attacking MO team. GA experienced that at home. I don't think Henson is the problem here. I think it is execution. This year is going to be rough. We have minimal game experience at the play making positions. The D may be OK, but even if Mauk is better this year, who is going to step up and catch the ball?

What about Scherer for Mizzou? Not even on your honorable mentions list? He had 114 tackles last year. I believe that puts him second or third among returning SEC linebackers.

I find it interesting that you see Tennessee as a trap game but aren't worried about Mizzou. Mizzou beat Tennessee at Neyland at the end of last season when Tennessee was "hot." The last time Missouri played between the hedges they came out with a win (in Maty Mauk's debut after Franklin went down). I don't really think Mizzou will beat Georgia this year, but they are making a habit of surprising me the last couple of years so I wouldn't sleep on them.

I hope the Gators get it done in Muschamp's final game. He seems like a quality guy. I also hate FSU. It would be extremely irritating for them to take a well-deserved spot in the playoff from an SEC team.

ZOU!

Absolutely. I have a buddy I hit the games with. We can all grab a beer and watch a game.

Should be a slugfest. First one to 10 wins! ;)

I respect your commitment to your team and I would be pissed as well if I was you. I think Mizzou has a decent chance to win out and of course I believe that they do deserve to go to ATL if they win out. I just wish we could beat GA at home. I am going to go to the game in GA next year. I hope we get a repeat of last year. To be honest, both Tennessee and Arkansas scare the crap out of me right now. I am going to be in Knoxville on Saturday for the game. I hope the boys can deliver a win. Enjoy some SEC football, have a cold one and don't be bitter when Mizzou goes back to ATL. :) MIZ...

It is indeed great to be an SEC fan. I am so glad that Mizzou made this move. Mizzou's offense is more than a little unpredictable this year, but the defense is solid. I am actually most worried about Arkansas because the defense has looked vulnerable earlier in the year against runs right up the gut. Of course, with the way Hoch, Brantley and Vincent have picked up their game in the middle to supplement Ray and Golden, maybe my fears are unfounded there. I am going to Knoxville for the game on Saturday. Hopefully we will still be talking about a meaningful Arkansas game after this one.

Excellent point. I think that if Mizzou continues to win it is on the back of their defense. Looking forward to the Arkansas game.

Glad to see Pinkel getting some respect. Missouri doesn't have the tradition or the facilities to be really competitive in recruiting, but they are so well coached that they just keep winning on Pinkel's watch. I think it unlikely, but I sincerely hope Mizzou can win the next two and perhaps gain a little bit more respect in the SEC.

Where are you getting the 85 FBS schools number from? There are 125. The 600 schools was idiocy though. With regard to Mizzou losing, we'll just have to wait and see. They say defense wins championships. Missouri has performed well defensively. Even in the Georgia game, the defense performed admirably. Mauk kept giving GA a short field, but the defense had more than its share of stops. I think the Mizzou front four carries it back to ATL. Say all you want about SOS, but Mizzou wins when it has to over the last couple of years.

I agree that it is interesting that half of the reason for Morgan's pick is that she would rather see UGA in the championship game. I would rather see Mizzou there. I guess that is reason enough to pick them over Tennessee. I actually see this as a close game, but I think Mizzou will pull it out because it will be hard for Dobbs to complete passes from his back. I am headed to Knoxville for the game, so I really hope that I am right about that.

apologies. top 25 defense. oops.

I think it is interesting that you state so casually that Mizzou will lose. Dobbs and the TN offense put up those gaudy numbers the last two games against terrible defenses. What is it they always say? "Defense wins championships." Mizzou is a top 15 defense in points and yards allowed. Dobbs will have a hard time throwing the ball accurately from his back. I am not saying that a Mizzou win is certain, but I would say that the outcome is 50/50 at the very least. I am going to be heading from Winston Salem to Knoxville for the game on Saturday. I hope that it is a good, hard-fought game and that neither team suffers any serious injuries. MIZ...