It's only been three games, but I'm pretty damn impressed with where Mizzou football is headed after last Fall. That being said, I do have some concerns, mostly on the defensive side of the ball.
OC Heupel - Only been three games, but anybody saying there isn't enough of a sample to see dramatic improvement is kidding themselves. Major, major improvement. Personally, I think he would be dumb to take a HC job after this year when he has virtually the entire offense coming back the following year and could likely be in the running for a Power-Five job.
Defensively, I'm worried. We all know our defense hasn't been great this year, and we're losing three of our difference makers at three different levels of the defense.
DL - Harris is gone, likely as a first or second round draft pick. Augusta's eligibility expires, and you'd have to imagine he's getting a chance to play on Sundays. Hatley, who is really coming on, is out of eligibility.
-That leaves us with Harold, Frazier, Spencer Williams, and then some of the freshmen redshirting at defensive end. Honestly, I don't see a whole lot of pass rushing ability out of the group, unless Howard comes back healthy and better than last year.
- At tackle, we'll have TBJ, Logan, and some of the freshmen redshirting (Utsey was supposedly real good). Also wonder if Moore ends up back here. Think at tackle, we'll be fine.
LB - Scherer is gone. He's taken a lot from this board over the years, but he is having a whale of a senior year. We'll also lose Newsome, who also takes a fair amount of crap from the board. We've seen and heard a lot about Hall and Garrett, but it's difficult to expect those two youngsters to play as well as Scherer this yearl
DB - the most worrisome for next year. We lose Penton, who is the best or second best corner in recent memory (I've been debating with a friend whether I'd rather have E.J or Penton). We lose Gibson. While some may see that as a positive, the coaches seem to think he's our second best option (which should REALLY scare you about what is behind him). I know we've got Acy, Holmes, and Cheadle vying to replace them, but none of them have inspired a lot of confidence to date as evidenced by their failure to unseat Mr. Gibson.
- Our safeties are all back. For the love of God, I don't understand why Hilton is not starting somewhere on the defense (or playing a majority of snaps on passing downs), but I'm no football expert. Have to think this group will be pretty solid next year.
OC Heupel - Only been three games, but anybody saying there isn't enough of a sample to see dramatic improvement is kidding themselves. Major, major improvement. Personally, I think he would be dumb to take a HC job after this year when he has virtually the entire offense coming back the following year and could likely be in the running for a Power-Five job.
Defensively, I'm worried. We all know our defense hasn't been great this year, and we're losing three of our difference makers at three different levels of the defense.
DL - Harris is gone, likely as a first or second round draft pick. Augusta's eligibility expires, and you'd have to imagine he's getting a chance to play on Sundays. Hatley, who is really coming on, is out of eligibility.
-That leaves us with Harold, Frazier, Spencer Williams, and then some of the freshmen redshirting at defensive end. Honestly, I don't see a whole lot of pass rushing ability out of the group, unless Howard comes back healthy and better than last year.
- At tackle, we'll have TBJ, Logan, and some of the freshmen redshirting (Utsey was supposedly real good). Also wonder if Moore ends up back here. Think at tackle, we'll be fine.
LB - Scherer is gone. He's taken a lot from this board over the years, but he is having a whale of a senior year. We'll also lose Newsome, who also takes a fair amount of crap from the board. We've seen and heard a lot about Hall and Garrett, but it's difficult to expect those two youngsters to play as well as Scherer this yearl
DB - the most worrisome for next year. We lose Penton, who is the best or second best corner in recent memory (I've been debating with a friend whether I'd rather have E.J or Penton). We lose Gibson. While some may see that as a positive, the coaches seem to think he's our second best option (which should REALLY scare you about what is behind him). I know we've got Acy, Holmes, and Cheadle vying to replace them, but none of them have inspired a lot of confidence to date as evidenced by their failure to unseat Mr. Gibson.
- Our safeties are all back. For the love of God, I don't understand why Hilton is not starting somewhere on the defense (or playing a majority of snaps on passing downs), but I'm no football expert. Have to think this group will be pretty solid next year.
