David Ching: Missouri
I’m not letting Gary Pinkel lull me to sleep this year. Georgia and Tennessee are the most popular choices to win the East, but it might wind up being Pinkel’s Tigers for a third straight season. They have a strong running back, a good offensive line and a veteran quarterback, plus what should be another effective defense -- even if the pass rush isn’t what it was in the previous two seasons. Also, when you continuously play an easier schedule than your fellow contenders, you own a distinct advantage. Mizzou doesn’t play Auburn and Alabama like Georgia does, and Tennessee’s slate that includes Oklahoma and Alabama is tougher than what the Tigers will face. To me, that says Mizzou could finish with the best record in the East again even if it is not the most gifted team.
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/105631/sec-surprise-team-predictions
I’m not letting Gary Pinkel lull me to sleep this year. Georgia and Tennessee are the most popular choices to win the East, but it might wind up being Pinkel’s Tigers for a third straight season. They have a strong running back, a good offensive line and a veteran quarterback, plus what should be another effective defense -- even if the pass rush isn’t what it was in the previous two seasons. Also, when you continuously play an easier schedule than your fellow contenders, you own a distinct advantage. Mizzou doesn’t play Auburn and Alabama like Georgia does, and Tennessee’s slate that includes Oklahoma and Alabama is tougher than what the Tigers will face. To me, that says Mizzou could finish with the best record in the East again even if it is not the most gifted team.
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/105631/sec-surprise-team-predictions
