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2009 Missouri NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on July 27, 2009

mizzou 72709 Missouri has won 22 games over the past two seasons to put it in some elite company as only Oklahoma and USC have won more games during this time frame. Will the Tigers be able to continue their winning ways after losing two All-American receivers and perhaps the best quarterback in school history? Find out where I have the Tigers placing in the Big 12 North in this 2009 college football betting preview. Mizzou is listed at +10,000 to win the 2009 BCS championship at BetUS.

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Offense – Missouri has boasted one of the most spectacular offenses in the country over the past two seasons. Last year, the team ranked 6th nationally in scoring offense (42.2 points per game) and 8th in total offense (484.1 yards per game). The Tigers have especially been able to get the job done through the air, riding All-Americans Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman and Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Daniel to the 4th best passing offense in the country in 2008. But all of the aforementioned are gone and that figures to set the offense back this season. Former five-star recruit Blaine Gabbert is the favorite to replace Daniel. While Mizzou’s top three receivers are gone, he, or whoever lands the spot, will still have some nice weaponry to work with. Jared Perry caught 41 passes for 567 yards and four scores last season and 6′5” Danario Alexander has proven that he can make plays as well (997 career receiving yards). To go along with those two, sophomore tight end Andrew Jones appears to be an adequate replacement for Coffman. The offensive line should still be in pretty good shape with three starters returning and a future star in tackle Dan Hoch ready to emerge. That could lead the Mizzou coaching staff to lean more on the running game this season as they wait for the passing game to jell under a new signal caller. Running back Derrick Washington rushed for 1,036 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2008 and could emerge as the new star of the offense.

Defense – This side of the ball kept the Tigers from challenging for a BCS title last season and it figures to be a weakness once again. Mizzou allowed 27.2 points per game and was torched through the air, allowing 286.6 yards per game (117th nationally). While the defensive line is inexperienced outside of Jaron Baston, and the secondary was statistically one of the worst in the country last season, the linebacker corps will not be a weakness. This unit is led by Sean Weatherspoon, who is one of the best defensive players in the league. Weatherspoon finished off 2008 with 155 tackles, five sacks, and three interceptions. He will be joined by fellow returning starter Jack Lambert. Will Ebner and Josh Tatum give the Tigers adequate depth at linebacker.

Prediction: 3rd Big 12 North – The Tigers lost two much on offense to be the high-powered attack they have been the past two seasons, and the defense won’t make large enough gains to cushion the blow. We’ll find out what the Tigers are made of rather quickly when they start off Big 12 play with games against Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Texas, but it doesn’t look like the they will rule the Big 12 North again in 2009. Missouri is listed at +350 to win the Big 12 North.

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