When the Defense Roars: Missouri Tigers Dynasty

[Kcordloh]

Big East's numbers barely enough, keep AQ Status

The Big East's numbers, thanks to USF and TCU's good seasons, managed to keep them with AQ Status until 2015. The bad news is it is a temporary deal, and with TCU leaving for the Pac-12 the Big East might lose their AQ Status in 2015/2016.

[Kcordloh]

Johnny Rock heads to Ohio State

3 years ago Johnny Rock was a high school football coach, and now he is a legendary figure. In 3 years he helped lead Missouri to a 37-2 record, with 2 Fiesta Bowl victories, a Rose Bowl victory, and 2 Big XII championships.

He will now take over as head coach of Ohio State, who went 7-6 last season.

He will be replaced by Joey Davis, his former defensive coordinator at Class 2 Hamilton High School. Davis took over as the head coach when Rock left to be DC at Missouri and had a combined 44-1 record his three years as head coach, the 1 loss being to eventual Class 4 state runner-up Kearney in a pre-season game last year enroute to winning another state championship.

Author Note: I will still be playing as MU all the time and continuing this dynasty. tOSU will be my secondary team, with my goal to get Rock back to MU as head coach

[Kcordloh]

Top 2013 recruiting classes

Top Recruiting Classes - 2013
RK	TEAM	5	4	3	2	1	TOTAL
1	LSU	4	13	4	0	0	21
2	Penn State	4	9	9	0	0	22
3	Missouri	1	11	10	0	0	22
4	Florida	2	8	10	0	0	20
5	Illinois	0	11	11	1	0	23
6	Alabama	3	8	4	0	3	18
7	Texas	1	8	11	1	0	21
8	Oklahoma	3	5	9	0	2	19
9	Michigan	1	6	13	1	1	22
10	TCU	0	10	9	1	0	20
11	Oregon	1	8	8	0	2	19
12	Oklahoma State	0	6	16	0	0	22
13	Boise State	0	6	15	2	0	23
14	Michigan State	0	7	12	1	1	21
15	Wisconsin	0	8	8	4	1	21
16	Stanford	0	8	6	4	3	21
17	Ole Miss	0	8	7	3	1	19
18	NC State	0	3	15	6	1	25
19	Houston	0	3	15	5	2	25
20	Georgia Tech	0	7	6	7	2	22
21	Boston College	0	4	14	3	1	22
22	Auburn	0	5	12	3	0	20
23	Tennessee	0	1	20	2	1	24
24	Georgia	0	6	10	0	3	19
25	Miami	0	6	9	2	2	19

[Kcordloh]

Meet the new Tigers

Missouri Tigers Recruiting - 2013
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Andrew Harrell	HB	HS	South Cates, CA	6'0	198
Luke Mitchell	MLB	HS	Webster Groves, MO	6'1	216
Chauncey Babcock	DE	HS	Alexandria, VA	6'3	240
Melvin Haynes	WR	HS	St. Louis, MO	6'2	195
Quinn Curry	C	HS	Victoria, TX	6'1	292
Jack Ross	WR	HS	Arkadelphia, AR	6'7	212
Josh Morton	HB	HS	Wapakoneta, OH	6'1	194
Nate Steward	FS	HS	Fountain, CO	5'11	205
Michael Taylor	MLB	HS	Yucaipa, CA	5'11	220
Mike Ball	TE	HS	Brownsville, TN	6'7	247
Derek Vincent	ATH	HS	Rendon, TX	5'10	176
Edwin Massey	HB	HS	Parkland, WA	6'0	206
Aaron Walker	WR	HS	Golden Glades, FL	6'2	161
Ernest Fenner	DE	HS	Dallas, TX	6'5	249
Terrence Leach	DE	HS	Sherman, TX	6'6	267
Brian Caldwell	CB	HS	Edwardsville, KS	5'11	176
Courtney Thomas	MLB	HS	St. Martinville, LA	6'0	214
Stephen Taylor	G	HS	Middleburg Heights, OH	6'4	312
Kieth Hall	FS	JUCO So	Arab, AL	6'1	189
Carnell Robinson	G	HS	Westminster, CO	6'0	301

[Kcordloh]

Pre-Season Top 25

NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll - Updated: Aug 10, 2014
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	--	Oregon (33)	0	0	1497
2	--	Wisconsin (22)	0	0	1443
3	--	Missouri (5)	0	0	1418
4	--	Kansas (1)	0	0	1382
5	--	Auburn	0	0	1305
6	--	Virginia Tech	0	0	1204
7	--	Michigan State	0	0	1079
8	--	Penn State	0	0	881
9	--	Maryland	0	0	852
10	--	Illinois	0	0	847
11	--	TCU	0	0	773
12	--	Boise State	0	0	710
13	--	NC State	0	0	700
14	--	Michigan	0	0	658
15	--	Florida	0	0	542
16	--	USF	0	0	518
17	--	Iowa	0	0	476
18	--	LSU	0	0	453
19	--	BYU	0	0	371
20	--	South Carolina	0	0	306
21	--	Ole Miss	0	0	301
22	--	Mississippi State	0	0	291
23	--	Notre Dame	0	0	291
24	--	Alabama	0	0	290
25	--	Houston	0	0	276

[Kcordloh]

Missouri Tigers 2014 football schedule

The Missouri Tigers only scheduled 11 opponents for the 2014 season, which is curious. However, who can argue with the success they have had the last 7 years.

Missouri Tigers 2014 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Aug 31	at #24 Alabama	Won, 45-16
Sep 13	vs #14 Michigan	Won, 22-17
Oct 4	at Arizona State	Won, 34-17
Oct 11	at Arizona	Won, 47-24
Oct 18	vs Arkansas	Won, 52-24
Oct 25	at Texas	Won, 35-3
Nov 1	vs Oklahoma	Won, 52-35
Nov 8	vs Army	Won, 41-13
Nov 15	at Texas Tech	Won, 71-28
Nov 22	vs Iowa State	Won, 72-6
Nov 29	at #4 Kansas	Lost, 55-48
Dec 13	Big XII Title game: at #1 Kansas	Won, 56-38
Jan 9	BCS National Championship: #2 Michigan	Won, 38-17

2014 Schedule analysis

Toughest game: At #4 Kansas (11/29). After last years heart breaking loss, this game is definitely circled on every Tigers calendar. KU lost Webb, so their offense won't exactly be the same, but these Jayhawks are for real.

Toughest stretch: Arkansas, at Texas, Oklahoma. Even though they are unranked this year Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma are always challenges. Missouri will need to be on top of their game to win these three.

Cakewalk: Army (11/08). Army is a historic program but they are not even a threat to Missouri's third string. If Missouri loses this game then they do not even deserve to be mentioned as a possible BCS Bowl candidate let alone National Championship contender.

Upset Alert: at Texas Tech (11/15). The Red Raiders may have went 0-12 last year, but their offense looks killer. If Missouri has defensive issues against the pass like the last few years they will be ripe for the picking by the Red Raiders.

[Kcordloh]

Missouri Tigers 2014 Depth Chart Released

Missouri Tigers Depth Chart - 2014
Regular Offense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
WR	Jimmy Thomas (SO/RS)	Wes Leftwich (JR/RS)	Melvin Haynes (FR)	Aaron Walker (FR)
TE	Jack Ross (FR)	Sean Smith (JR)	Mike Ball (FR)	William Carter (SO/RS)
LT	Michael Boddie (SR)	Josh White (FR/RS)	Bobby Wade (JR)
LG	Stephen Taylor (FR)	Carnell Robinson (FR)	Boddy Wade (JR)
C	Quinn Curry (FR)	George Williams (JR)	Michael Boddie (SR)
RG	Nick Demian (SR/RS)	George Williams (JR)	Bobby Wade (JR)
RT	Daryl Williams (SR/RS)	Bobby Wade (JR)	George Williams (JR)
WR	Matthew Smith (SO)	Brandon Hannah (JR/RS)	Thomas High (FR)	Martin Moore (FR/RS)
QB	Eddie Torres (SO)	Nick Bailey (JR/RS)	Reuben Miller (SO/RS)	Perry Peoples (FR/RS)
FB	Eric Morrison (JR)	Ben Mays (SO/RS)
HB	David Steele (SO)	Greg White (SR/RS)	Andrew Harrell (FR)	Josh Morton (FR)
Base 4-2-5 Defense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LDE	Larry Harris (JR)	Kony Ealy (SR/RS)	Chauncey Babcock (FR)
LDT	Marques Smith (SO)	Lewis Callahan (FR)
RDT	Mike Lawrence (SO)	Greg Carter (JR)
RDE	Shane Ray (JR/RS)	Darius Gray (FR)	Chauncey Babcock (FR)
SLB	Joel Johnson (SO)	Darvin Ruise (SR/RS)	Jayson George (SO)	Michael Brennan (SR/RS)
WLB	Matt Wilson (JR)	Luke Mitchell (FR)	Darren Mackey (SO/RS)	Michael Taylor (FR)
CB	D.J. Washington (JR)	Andy Roach (SO)	Michael Taylor (FR)
SS	Ben Moore (JR)	Andy Roach (SO)
FS	Ian Simon (JR/RS)	Keith Hall (SO)	Nate Stewart (FR)
SS	Luke Walters (SO)	Darren Mackey (SO/RS)	Jayson George (SO)
CB	Carl Jones (SO)	Luke Walters (SO)	Corey Graham (JR)
Special Teams
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
K	Chris O'Connor (JR)
P	Ray Woods (FR)
H	Nick Bailey (JR/RS)
PR	David Steele (SO)	Ben Moore (JR)	D.J. Washington (JR)
KR	David Steele (SO)	D.J. Washington (JR)	Ben Moore (JR)
LS	Josh White (FR/RS)	Nick Demian (SR/RS)	Daryl Williams (SR/RS)

[Kcordloh]

Getting to know the 2014 Missouri Tigers

The Tigers underwent some changes for 2014. Arriving defensive coach Joey Davis has switched defenses to the 4-2-5 scheme instead of the 3-3-5 used the last two years by forcing DC Johnny Rock. This scheme fits well considering the Tigers recruit speed and intelligent players, and given the spread offenses Missouri faces in the Big XII makes sense.

Offense: The offense will be led by sophomore quarterback Eddie Torres. Torres is a scrambler, having ran a 4.40 40-yard dash he is a threat on the ground. He spent most spring practicing his accuracy, if he can get it down just a little bit better he will be scarier to offenses than James Franklin was, which is a huge compliment. Torres has several excellent receivers to toss to, Jimmy Thomas and Matthew Smith are the biggest weapons in the air for the Tigers. Both are balanced wide receivers, they won't outrun out by are very smart and very strong.

Sophomore David Steele is the running threat for the Tigers and he is a beast. He only runs a 4.50 40-yard dash but he will run you over and keep moving. He is very strong and very stout at 6'0 238lbs.

The Tigers have a pair of young 6'7 Tight Ends, freshman Jack Ross and Mike Ball that hope to contribute to the passing attack and will provide nice blocking for the running game also.

Defense: The Tigers lost C. Browning who went as 2nd round pick in the NFL draft and a few other key defensive players. The 4-2-5 switch will be a breeze for the Tigers, they did a bit of 4-2-5 almost every game last year along with their primary 3-3-5.

With Larry Harris, Marques Smith, Mike Lawrence, and Shane Ray being the primary front four look for constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Missouri's CBs are weak this year, going only two deep before you see issues with awareness and tackling. D.J. Washington and Carl Jones are the primary CB threats, although Andy Roach is definitely learning quickly.

Matt Wilson and Ben Moore look to keep everything else in check. Passing yards will be a weakness as they have been for years, but with the offense the Tigers have they should be able to win every game as the Tiger D shouldn't give up more than 20-25 points a game.