Mizzou Links, 9-27-12

Mizzou Football Links

• This Week
  Mizzou Network: 1 on 1 with Kendial Lawrence
  The Trib: "Pretty cool" hosting Missouri, UCF players says
  The Missourian: Missouri's struggles don't discourage cornerback E.J. Gaines
  KC Star: MU defense getting back to basics on tackling
  Post-Dispatch: Tigers will see former teammate at Central Florida

  [Tyler] Gabbert isn't dwelling on his departure from Mizzou, where his older brother, Blaine, was a two-year starter before becoming the 10th player selected overall, by the Jacksonville Jaguars, in the 2011 NFL draft.

  "Not really; I've been gone from there for so long," Gabbert said by phone Tuesday morning. "All of those feelings got out of the way that past year-and-a-half or however long it's been."

  Gabbert was a Mizzou teammate of his brother's when he redshirted in 2010 and opted to transfer when Franklin was named the No. 1 quarterback at MU following their competition in the spring of 2011.

  "It was just the right decision for me at the time to explore other opportunities, and I'm glad I ended up at Central Florida," he said.

  As for the view from Mizzou, offensive coordinator David Yost last week said, " 'Once a Tiger, always a Tiger' is kind of how we look at it."

  Still, Yost joked that he was curious to know where Blaine Gabbert's allegiance might be this week and said he planned to text him to ask "what jersey he's going to wear."

  Post-Dispatch: Pinkel: 'We want to do a better job' (really? you went with that quote?)
  PowerMizzou: Powered Up: Not much has changed

  The way I look at this season is the way I have always looked at this season. Success or failure will be determined by four games.

  I say this assuming Missouri should beat Vandy, Kentucky and Syracuse at home. I say it feeling confident the Tigers will lose to the Crimson Tide.

  Those results would put Missouri at 5-3 with four games undecided on the schedule. The first of those games comes Saturday at Central Florida.

  It is a game many have viewed as a snake pit for the Tigers. You're playing a non-BCS team on the road in the biggest home game they'll have all season. It's a tough draw. It's not a game Missouri would likely schedule in just about any year. But caught in transition between the Big 12 and the SEC, the Tigers had to find someone, anyone who had an open date. The Golden Knights did and you can bet they weren't volunteering to come to Columbia just to be charitable.

  Yes, this game is a potential pitfall. But, honestly, it's a game Missouri should win. IF the Tigers are the team they want to believe they are. If Mizzou can win this game and the three home games I've given them, bowl eligibility is assured. And, right now, that's the goal.

• Sheldon
  The Missourian: Sheldon Richardson now speaks softly, makes big plays
• DGB
  The Trib: Green-Beckham off to quiet start to freshman year

  Green-Beckham was on the field for 26 of Missouri's 58 plays in the 31-10 loss, Pinkel said. Franklin and backup Corbin Berkstresser completed 18 of 26 passes, four of which were thrown to Green-Beckham. His only catch was a 9-yarder from Berkstresser on the game's final series, a 75-yard touchdown drive.

  "Everyone would like to see him catch 25 balls a game and catch touchdowns and all that stuff. But he's progressing there with more reps," Hill said. "We had more plays that were scheduled to go his way, but for one reason or another, sometimes it's coverage, or sometimes the quarterback went the other way with it."

  Missouri coaches don't sound panicked over Green-Beckham's slow start. They're not coddling him either.

  Asked if Green-Beckham had a good attitude, Pinkel answered: "Yeah, I think so. Why? Have you noticed him walking to class being grumpy or something?"

• Consider It Another Step In The Initiation Process: Steve Spurrier Is Kinda Passive-Aggressively Digging At Us
  The Trib (Dave Matter): Spurrier: Time will tell if Tigers can compete
• 2013 Recruiting
  PowerMizzou: Following the Future
• Apparently Truman Is Still Alive In The Capital One Mascot Challenge...
  Capital One Bowl: Truman vs. Raider Red
• Multimedia
  We Are Mizzou: Coach to Cure MD
  We Are Mizzou: Mizzou Nike Uniforms

Other Football Links

• Late, But Worth It
  SB Nation (self-share): The Numerical, Week 4: 3 acts, 2 QBs and 1 wizard

  1. Passes that left South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw's hand and actually hit the ground in a 31-10 win over Missouri. Shaw completed 20 of 21 passes (his only incompletion came in the first drive, like a pitcher who gives up a double with one out in the first inning and pitches a perfect game the rest of the way), and while a majority were dump-offs directed at running back Marcus Lattimore and Justice Cunningham, he was right on the money when he did choose to go downfield as well. It was still a sign that whatever shoulder issues Shaw was experiencing through most of the season's first month are a thing of the past. He looked incredible.

• Scroll Down To The Part About The Montana Project -- It's Great
  SI.com (Stewart Mandel): Mailbag
• Just Us Talking And Stuff
  SB Nation YouTube: College Football Week Five Hangout with Dan Rubenstein, Bill Connelly, and Spencer Hall

Mizzou Diamond Sports Links

• SEC
  SimmonsField.com: SxSE: War Eagle

Other Mizzou Links

• Mizzou Soccer
  MUtigers.com: No. 9 Mizzou Travels to Georgia, Tennessee This Weekend
• Mizzou Volleyball
  MUtigers.com: Volleyball Returns Home to Face Texas A&M, Georgia
  The Missourian: Position change works well for Missouri volleyball team
• Mizzou Men's Golf
  MUtigers.com: Mizzou Golf Ranked No. 11 Nationally
• Mizzou Cross Country
  MUtigers.com: Tigers Travel to Louisville for Nation's Largest Meet
• Mizzou Women's Basketball
  MUtigers.com: Women's Basketball Season Tickets on Sale Now
• Mizzou Wrestling
  MUtigers.com: Bradley To Be Featured in 2012 All-Star Classic

Other

• I'm Sure Ronaldo Would Have Done, Like, Exactly The Same Thing...
  Bavarian Football Works: Fair Play from Miroslav Klose