MISSOURI TIGERS O:8 D:7

Last we saw this Tigers squad, they clawed their way back from a 21-0 deficit in the Independence Bowl and pulled off the biggest come from behind victory in over 65 years. It was just their 2 nd bowl win in their last five trips and HC Gary Pinkel and staff head into 2006 with extreme optimism. The Tigers return 15 starters from a year ago, and have plenty of depth in every facet on both sides of the ball. QB Chase Daniel will now head the offense since former QB Brad Smith and all of his Mizzou records will now by playing on Sundays. He has a potent roster to get the ball to, and one of the most experienced O-Lines Pinkel and his staff have had protecting him. Even with the departure of their career passing/rushing leader, the Tigers could either match or surpass the 30 PPG they averaged a year ago. What really has the coaching staff excited is their defense. Seven starters are back overall, but the depth they have in the front seven is outstanding and it will allow the young secondary to find its way a lot quicker. Look for a dramatic improvement in the defenses statistics this year, and its quite possible they cut the 29 PPG they let up a year ago in half. They also return their special teams unit completely intact, and should finish in the upper half of the standings at seasons end.