Dear Mizzou fans,

I know you’re out there.

You’ve gotten a bad rap lately, but I remember the good ol’ days — freezing my a** off in Kansas City watching the Tigers take down Kansas, storming the field alongside a sold-out crowd after beating No. 1 Oklahoma and all the other proud moments in the not-so-distant past.

You’ve been called out heading into this year, with Florida DE Cece Jefferson causing quite the stir at SEC Media Days by saying he hates playing at Faurot Field because it’s so quiet.

Who could blame you for not showing up last year? After the dismal 1-5 start, it took the Tigers some time to earn back your trust. After all, who would want to spend their hard-earned money (or their parents’ hard-earned money) to go see a game like the one against Purdue? That week, it looked like the Tigers simply gave up.

However, let the end of last season serve as a call to action, as this year’s Tigers should be every bit as exciting as the team that put an impressive 45-16 beatdown on the Gators (yes, Cece, we remember the exact score). Outside of star WR J’Mon Moore, the Tigers return every starter on offense, and have plenty of experience and talent returning on defense, too.

One of those returning starters on offense just so happens to be star QB Drew Lock, who could end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft if this season goes well. Oh, and he also led the country in touchdown passes last year. He’s excited for the season and tired of all the disrespect the Tigers have received in recent years, sounding off about a number of issues during SEC Media Days.

No, he probably won’t throw for 44 touchdowns again this year (as Mizzou will likely slow down its pace on offense significantly), but he’s still one of the best throwers in the country, and it’ll be worth it to watch him sling the ball all over the field while you still can.

On defense, Terry Beckner Jr. will try to become the next Mizzou defensive lineman to become a first-round draft pick, and Terez Hall, Cale Garrett, Brandon Lee and others have turned a linebacking corps that used to be a weakness into a strength.

There’s still plenty of work to do on that side of the ball, but with the drastically reduced workload the defense should have this year, the numbers will have no choice but to improve. (Oh, and when the Tiger defenders are out there, feel free to be as loud as you want, Mizzou fans!)

But let’s get to the real reason you’re here … the special teams! Punter Corey Fatony has decreased the number of his punts while also increasing his net yardage each of his three seasons in Columbia. He’s on the Ray Guy preseason watch list (the only punter in the SEC on the list, just so you know) and could be in for another huge season.

This year, though, the Tigers can’t afford for Fatony to be the only highlight during the early part of the season. Sure, he’ll get plenty of work against Georgia and Alabama, but the offense needs to put up points, too, or the Tigers won’t be competitive.

But when the Tigers do have to punt, they have one of the best in the business. And, after a rough start to his college career, Tucker McCann has quietly become one of the more reliable kickers in the conference.

Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Tigers is at the offensive coordinator spot, as new OC Derek Dooley has never called plays. However, he has a good blueprint to work from, as last year’s offense under Josh Heupel showcased a ton of the unit’s strength, while also showing what needs work.

Dooley seems popular with his players, as Lock raved about him during SEC Media Days. Defensive players also seem to like him, as his offense will almost certainly get them some more rest on Saturdays. Yes, he has a checkered past from his time at Tennessee, but he’s learned a lot about offense during his time as a receivers coach with the Dallas Cowboys, so it’ll be interesting to see what he brings to the Tigers.

No, the Tigers won’t be trying to score in two or three plays every time they have the ball, but with so many weapons on offense, big plays are still going to be a frequent part of the system. After all, Emanuel Hall and Johnathon Johnson are two of the fastest receivers in the SEC, TEs Albert Okwuegbunam and Kendall Blanton are massive targets over the middle, and Richaud Floyd can turn into one of the best dual-threat receiver/kick returners in the league.

So show up early and show up often for this Mizzou team. Go watch them battle Georgia and cheer loud when the Bulldogs have the ball. Come out for homecoming against Memphis, as no one does homecoming like the Tigers. And come support the team during the other home games, including the end-of-year rivalry game against Arkansas.

It’s going to be a fun year, and Lock, Beckner and others will try to make this season full of Saturdays one to remember before they switch to playing their games on Sundays.

Bully for old Mizzou!

Sincerely,

Adam