My family from missouri predicts a 6-2 conference record their 1st year in the sec!

[jps1983]

So..............they are going to improve their record, while switching to a tougher conference. What is wrong with this picture?

They are going to the "down" division. If they came to the east, I think theyd easily lose at a minimum 3 west games (us, LSU, and Arky). In the east, the only two decent teams are uga and USCe. If I am not mistaken, USCe loses a fair amount of talent, especially from their defense and alshon Jeffery, so I'd expect some growing pains from them next year. That leaves us and uga as the only two teams I see favored over mizzou on their schedule. UF loses their qb and I believe both their RB's were seniors. They had no other playmakers, so that is winnable. Tennessee should improve, but they will still be a pretty young team (they have a better chance to beat mizzou than UF IMHO). I don't know a&m's situation, but they proved to choke a lot this year, so it is another toss up game. Mizzou beats Vandy and uk. 2 likely wins, 2 likely losses, and 4 toss ups leaves a lot of possibilities, but 4 or 5 confence wins are realistic.

 

[TideEngineer08]

So..............they are going to improve their record, while switching to a tougher conference. What is wrong with this picture?

Since they are going to the East, and playing only 2 West opponents (one of which is Texas A&M as a permanent opponent), as it stands right now they are not moving to a tougher conference.

Florida can and should certainly get their act together, but who knows when that will happen. Tennessee is a pathetic joke of a program. That ain't changing in one year. Kentucky is too. That's not changing ever. Vandy has a little something going now, but Missouri is still better. Georgia and South Carolina are better than Missouri, but they can be beaten. As has been stated, Missouri has actually beaten Texas A&M a few times in a row now.

As I said, 6-2 is the ceiling. 4-4 is most realistic, but I would not be shocked if they go 6-2. Now, if they were in the West, it would be 4-4 at best, depending on their East crossover opponents.

 

[twofbyc]

I'm a Mizzou fan, and I would agree that 6-2 is wishful thinking. But if Mizzou's future in the SEC looks anything like their past, a more likely scenario is that Missouri will upset someone (not Alabama), like Georgia or Florida, but then lose unexpectedly to someone like Kentucky of Vandy.

If I were to bet (and I learned never to bet on Mizzou games a long time ago), I feel confident that Missouri should beat Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Texas A&M (for the record, a lot of folks on this board seem to think, for some reason, that A&M is the stronger program of the two. They're not. A&M has been underperforming for about a decade now. Mizzou's beaten them the last three times we played them, and I don't think they'll be better next year than this one with their coaching transition). So 4-4 is where I'd put us, with a slight chance of pulling off an upset in there to bring us to 5-3, which would be a great start, in my book. But 5-3 is the ceiling.

6-2 is definitely wishful thinking. As is, by the way, the thinking of those who imagine that the magic of the SEC is so powerful that we'll struggle to get past teams like Vanderbilt and Kentucky on a regular basis.

This is going to be a long off-season because Missouri fans can't wait to get started in the SEC. And being a native of Columbia, MO, I'll be sure to post a list of good places to eat in advance of the Alabama game. We're looking forward to hosting you!

Many SEC teams have done just that (with the exception of KY this year). I think Mizzou will be no different.

 

[teamplayer]

I'm a Mizzou fan, and I would agree that 6-2 is wishful thinking. But if Mizzou's future in the SEC looks anything like their past, a more likely scenario is that Missouri will upset someone (not Alabama), like Georgia or Florida, but then lose unexpectedly to someone like Kentucky of Vandy.

If I were to bet (and I learned never to bet on Mizzou games a long time ago), I feel confident that Missouri should beat Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Texas A&M (for the record, a lot of folks on this board seem to think, for some reason, that A&M is the stronger program of the two. They're not. A&M has been underperforming for about a decade now. Mizzou's beaten them the last three times we played them, and I don't think they'll be better next year than this one with their coaching transition). So 4-4 is where I'd put us, with a slight chance of pulling off an upset in there to bring us to 5-3, which would be a great start, in my book. But 5-3 is the ceiling.

6-2 is definitely wishful thinking. As is, by the way, the thinking of those who imagine that the magic of the SEC is so powerful that we'll struggle to get past teams like Vanderbilt and Kentucky on a regular basis.

This is going to be a long off-season because Missouri fans can't wait to get started in the SEC. And being a native of Columbia, MO, I'll be sure to post a list of good places to eat in advance of the Alabama game. We're looking forward to hosting you!

Hey, welcome to Tidefans, and great post. I certainly don't see Missouri falling on their faces with a 1-7 or 2-6 record, but 6-2 is a little much to expect more than likely. You never know, though, which is why they play the games. I think your prediction of 4-4 is probably about right. As always I am looking forward to next year's college football season, but you'll forgive me if my mind is still on the business at hand in the 2011 season. Beat LSU! Well, I guess we can now say beat the Tigers and cover a fourth of our schedule- Missouri, LSU, and Auburn.

 

[cuda.1973]

Florida can and should certainly get their act together, but who knows when that will happen.

They play at The Swamp, in November. I think that favors UF. Even if they haven't gotten their act together. Yes, the SEC East is not that tough, but style of play will be a season-long adjustment. 4-4 sounds reasonable.

 

[TideEngineer08]

They play at The Swamp, in November. I think that favors UF. Even if they haven't gotten their act together. Yes, the SEC East is not that tough, but style of play will be a season-long adjustment. 4-4 sounds reasonable.

We actually agree there. I'm only saying 6-2 is their best case, everything breaks their way scenario. 4-4 is realistic, I think. I'm just giving reasons why it's not so far fetched that they knock off a couple of usual SEC heavy weights like a Florida.

 

[bamaslaw]

For everyone saying that the SEC plays a different brand of football, remember that Mizzou plays a different brand too. Teams in the SEC are generally built to beat the Alabamas and the LSUs of the conference. A team that bings something different will have... unpredictable results the first couple years I think. Alabama won't be hurt by the difference in the style of play, because we have a talent advantage to make up for it. Teams a little farther down the line... may not.

In any given season in the SEC I think the ball can bounce (or be simultaneously possessed) the wrong way for you in roughly two games. I'd set the target for Mizzou at 4-4, but with a couple of unexpected results I can see them getting to 6-2. I think it's unlikely, but I think a number of people are selling their program short, and thinking that our mid-tier programs are significantly better than they are.

 

[B Man]

I just wanted to remind everyone that Missouri has a pretty good reputation for knocking off those top ranked teams in the Big 12 (Big 8) over the years so you may see an upset or two again in 2012. I know our brand of football is a little different and 2011 has been a rebuilding year but this is year one for our QB and I like what I see. I'm looking forward to hosting you all in the ZOU this year and am hoping we get a rematch in 2013 down in your house.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I'm a Mizzou fan, and I would agree that 6-2 is wishful thinking. But if Mizzou's future in the SEC looks anything like their past, a more likely scenario is that Missouri will upset someone (not Alabama), like Georgia or Florida, but then lose unexpectedly to someone like Kentucky of Vandy.

If I were to bet (and I learned never to bet on Mizzou games a long time ago), I feel confident that Missouri should beat Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Texas A&M (for the record, a lot of folks on this board seem to think, for some reason, that A&M is the stronger program of the two. They're not. A&M has been underperforming for about a decade now. Mizzou's beaten them the last three times we played them, and I don't think they'll be better next year than this one with their coaching transition). So 4-4 is where I'd put us, with a slight chance of pulling off an upset in there to bring us to 5-3, which would be a great start, in my book. But 5-3 is the ceiling.

6-2 is definitely wishful thinking. As is, by the way, the thinking of those who imagine that the magic of the SEC is so powerful that we'll struggle to get past teams like Vanderbilt and Kentucky on a regular basis.

This is going to be a long off-season because Missouri fans can't wait to get started in the SEC. And being a native of Columbia, MO, I'll be sure to post a list of good places to eat in advance of the Alabama game. We're looking forward to hosting you!

We will hold you to posting good places to eat.
When Alabama invades Columbia, we will bring a bunch of 'Hungry folks to town'. (We travel well)

Since it was pretty much an open secret that Missouri was joining the SEC;
I followed them all season.
My original guess was Missouri going mid-pack in the SEC East. I stand by it...
I might be tempted to rate Missouri higher, but I haven't seen yall play a SEC Defense. (Even our bad teams generally have some Defense.)
Welcome to the SEC! Hope Mo. does well till we 'Roll' into town. :BigA: RTR.

 

[Perrett4Bama]

4-4 at best

This......

 

[Tideski]

funny...4-4 at best

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Not sure how you consider A&M to have a better chance than us? We are 5-1 against A&M in our last 6, including back-to-back wins in College Station in 2010 and 2011. Now A&M is going through yet another coaching move and has to replace Tannyhill with an unproven QB and lose their best WR, Jeff Fuller. Meanwhile, we return James Franklin, who will immediately be a top 3 QB in the SEC. Our strengths next year will be at QB and WR. Offensive line is a question mark, we graduate 3, the potential is there to reload, but need to see it happen. We may struggle at RB a bit. We lost our 1st all big 12 RB, Henry Josey, a guy with blazing speed, to a triple tear knee injury. He is out for 2012 and maybe for good.

Defense does well against the run, suffers against the pass. We are as good on the interior line and DE next year as anybody. Sheldon Richardson, 6'1" 310lb will anchor the front. He has 4.7 40 speed and freakish athleticism, was the 4th best prospect according to rivals coming out of high school in 2009 and is a certain 1st rd draft pick. We have some solid LBs that are better equipped to defend the run than the pass. Our secondary was terrible this year, should be alittle better next year. Thankfully, we won't see the pass happy Big 12 offenses anymore.

I think we are looking at 5-3 in conference but think the 4-4 predictions are reasonable. We will beat someone we shouldn't (I predict Georgia) and lose to someone we shouldn't (Kentucky or Vandy). I do not think either extreme is likely to occur (i.e. 7-1 or 1-7).

Can't wait for the season to get here!

As a Mizzou fan, I would also be surprised if we won 6 games in the SEC next year. But what I don't get are the frequent comments from some on this board who seem to think Texas A&M is the stronger team coming into the SEC. Mizzou's beat them three times in a row, and we'll beat them again next year. A&M has been a thoroughly unimpressive program for a decade. I've got to assume that the A&M love is coming from folks who haven't paid much attention.

The reason I said I think aTm has a better chance is because I think they have more talent than Mizzou. I don't believe either team is realistically going to win anywhere close to 6 games in the SEC next year but I think aTm's roster is better suited to compete in the SEC than is Mizzou's. Of course with their coaching change it may not matter, let alone the fact that they have to play in the West, which is the toughest division in all of college football right now. In any event I expect both teams to struggle quite a bit with the transition.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

They underestimate the SEC grind. One point in their favor -- they're in the East, dodging LSU and Arkansas, and getting Alabama at home.

Seriously, I don't think people (inside and outside the SEC) give enough credit to the week-to-week-to-week beating SEC teams take, especially those teams in the SEC West. Even if they're not that good (see OM and MSU), they still physically pound on opponents. Mizzou should count their lucky stars they're not in the West...they're just not built to take that constant beating. The SEC East is more finesse, and UM will handle things better there.

Still, if they're inconsistent against Big 12 finesse, what makes anybody think they'll be consistent against SEC power, even acklnoowledging it's SEC East power?

I expect a UM upset early, all kinds of talking heads proclaiming the demise of the SEC, followed by a UM death spiral starting around October 13. I'm telling you, they can't take the constant pounding, and will have to recruit their way out of that. It aint' happenin' with their current roster.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

They underestimate the SEC grind. One point in their favor -- they're in the East, dodging LSU and Arkansas, and getting Alabama at home.

Seriously, I don't think people (inside and outside the SEC) give enough credit to the week-to-week-to-week beating SEC teams take, especially those teams in the SEC West. Even if they're not that good (see OM and MSU), they still physically pound on opponents. Mizzou should count their lucky stars they're not in the West...they're just not built to take that constant beating. The SEC East is more finesse, and UM will handle things better there.

Still, if they're inconsistent against Big 12 finesse, what makes anybody think they'll be consistent against SEC power, even acklnoowledging it's SEC East power?

I expect a UM upset early, all kinds of talking heads proclaiming the demise of the SEC, followed by a UM death spiral starting around October 13. I'm telling you, they can't take the constant pounding, and will have to recruit their way out of that. It aint' happenin' with their current roster.

^^^^^This^^^^^. I'm just having a hard time reconciling in my mind how they can struggle in the Big 12, only win 7 games and now expected to not have that big of a problem the following year playing a full SEC schedule. :conf3:

 

[Cr1msoN4life]

I'm a Mizzou fan, and I would agree that 6-2 is wishful thinking. But if Mizzou's future in the SEC looks anything like their past, a more likely scenario is that Missouri will upset someone (not Alabama), like Georgia or Florida, but then lose unexpectedly to someone like Kentucky of Vandy.

If I were to bet (and I learned never to bet on Mizzou games a long time ago), I feel confident that Missouri should beat Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Texas A&M (for the record, a lot of folks on this board seem to think, for some reason, that A&M is the stronger program of the two. They're not. A&M has been underperforming for about a decade now. Mizzou's beaten them the last three times we played them, and I don't think they'll be better next year than this one with their coaching transition). So 4-4 is where I'd put us, with a slight chance of pulling off an upset in there to bring us to 5-3, which would be a great start, in my book. But 5-3 is the ceiling.

6-2 is definitely wishful thinking. As is, by the way, the thinking of those who imagine that the magic of the SEC is so powerful that we'll struggle to get past teams like Vanderbilt and Kentucky on a regular basis.

This is going to be a long off-season because Missouri fans can't wait to get started in the SEC. And being a native of Columbia, MO, I'll be sure to post a list of good places to eat in advance of the Alabama game. We're looking forward to hosting you!

My point is beating kansas, iowa state ,and texas tech, is a whole lot different than beating,, tennessee, vandy, and kentucky, especially after the wear and tear of a sec season wears upon you. You guys better be deep(at all positions), because i'm betting your going to need to be.lol

I have family in Jeff city,webster groves, and mexico city lol
and a daughter fixing to start alabama next year, so we will be making the trip most definitely.
It's beautiful up there but way to cold for me.

 

[Cr1msoN4life]

Not sure how you consider A&M to have a better chance than us? We are 5-1 against A&M in our last 6, including back-to-back wins in College Station in 2010 and 2011. Now A&M is going through yet another coaching move and has to replace Tannyhill with an unproven QB and lose their best WR, Jeff Fuller. Meanwhile, we return James Franklin, who will immediately be a top 3 QB in the SEC. Our strengths next year will be at QB and WR. Offensive line is a question mark, we graduate 3, the potential is there to reload, but need to see it happen. We may struggle at RB a bit. We lost our 1st all big 12 RB, Henry Josey, a guy with blazing speed, to a triple tear knee injury. He is out for 2012 and maybe for good.

Defense does well against the run, suffers against the pass. We are as good on the interior line and DE next year as anybody. Sheldon Richardson, 6'1" 310lb will anchor the front. He has 4.7 40 speed and freakish athleticism, was the 4th best prospect according to rivals coming out of high school in 2009 and is a certain 1st rd draft pick. We have some solid LBs that are better equipped to defend the run than the pass. Our secondary was terrible this year, should be alittle better next year. Thankfully, we won't see the pass happy Big 12 offenses anymore.

I think we are looking at 5-3 in conference but think the 4-4 predictions are reasonable. We will beat someone we shouldn't (I predict Georgia) and lose to someone we shouldn't (Kentucky or Vandy). I do not think either extreme is likely to occur (i.e. 7-1 or 1-7).

Can't wait for the season to get here!

"6'1" 310lb will anchor the front". One, 310 pounder will not cut it, in the sec EVERY lineman is over, or near 300 and most all ,are top tier recruits.
When Alabama comes to town be prepared to face,(projected)
Barrett Jones LT 6,5 311
Chance Warmack LG 6,3 320
Kellen Williams C 6,3 307
Anthony Steen RG 6,3 303
DJ Fluker RT 6,6 335

That's just one of the OL, you guys will face next year. All other sec OL's will be similiar in size .

 

[cuda.1973]

The reason I said I think aTm has a better chance is because I think they have more talent than Mizzou. I don't believe either team is realistically going to win anywhere close to 6 games in the SEC next year but I think aTm's roster is better suited to compete in the SEC than is Mizzou's. Of course with their coaching change it may not matter, let alone the fact that they have to play in the West, which is the toughest division in all of college football right now. In any event I expect both teams to struggle quite a bit with the transition.

Talent won't help much, if your new coach thinks spread offense is going to work. Sure, both teams have enough talent, to make a decent showing, and maybe win a game they shouldn't. But the constant pounding they will get, on both sides of the line, will take its toll.

 

[Chukker Veteran]

Whatever the record is they will have to live with it because they can't back out now.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Talent won't help much, if your new coach thinks spread offense is going to work. Sure, both teams have enough talent, to make a decent showing, and maybe win a game they shouldn't. But the constant pounding they will get, on both sides of the line, will take its toll.

That's why I've been saying all along that they're going to have an adjustment period, and it may last several years.

 

[MizzouFaninBama]

"6'1" 310lb will anchor the front". One, 310 pounder will not cut it, in the sec EVERY lineman is over, or near 300 and most all ,are top tier recruits.
When Alabama comes to town be prepared to face,(projected)
Barrett Jones LT 6,5 311
Chance Warmack LG 6,3 320
Kellen Williams C 6,3 307
Anthony Steen RG 6,3 303
DJ Fluker RT 6,6 335

That's just one of the OL, you guys will face next year. All other sec OL's will be similiar in size .

Our offensive lineman are all similar in size though the guys in the 295-305 range tend to play more as they move better for blocking in the spread. Our starting LT Dan Hoch is 6'7" 320lb though. State of Missouri has tended to produce some good offensive lineman over the years. Alot of farm kids that threw alot of hay bails and never skipped a meal.

Again, we have a good front 7, I just give Sheldon Richardson as an example as I expect he will be the name that gets most mention next year. He was the most heralded recruit in school history. 4th best player according to rivals. His recruitment was nearly a 6 yr saga. Out of Gateway Tech in StL. Pinkel offered him as a frosh but he never made it to campus because of grades. Played Juco at College of Sequioas in Cali and briefly committed to USC before switching back to Mizzou. Kid is an incredible athlete but showed up alittle raw and out of shape. 300+lbs with 4.7 speed I think is just about unheard of. He actually returned kicks in high school. He got better as the year progressed because he got in better shape and learned technique. He was pretty dominant at times just on brute strength. He routinely bull rushed OG's straight into the QB. One of the strongest kids I have ever seen. He was double teamed routinely after a few games.

But we have other guys. Lucas Vincent is a big young kid that looks solid at DT and will start along side Sheldon. We have solid DE's and also have a So and Fr DE, Kony Ealy I believe is up to 260 now and Edmond Ray is listed at 290 (still in high school) that both look like Aldon Smith clones.

LB corp is lead by Andrew Wilson, big physical hitter at MLB. Zavier Gooden is our OLB with speed and size and could be really good. Will Ebner is a hard hitter and transfer Marcus Golden will play alot.

Secondary has a young stud named EJ Gaines at CB. However, our secondary overall is a weakness.

here is link to our 2011 roster:
http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/miss-m-footbl-mtt.html