Mizzou Links, 8-1-14: OL and DL health will be key to 2014 (and every year)

Evan Boehm goes to the K, offensive line health could dictate Missouri's offensive fate, Harold Brantley hasn't had a very fun offseason, and Paul Myerberg previews Missouri. Oh, and CAMP STARTS ON MONDAY.

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Aug 1, 2014, 5:11am CDT

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

What's On

Well, Mizzou-South Carolina re-airs on ESPNU at noon if you're masochistic. Instead, though, you about you just watch Evan Boehm go to Kauffman Stadium.

Football

More on Emanuel Hall
PowerMizzou: Hall picks Mizzou
PowerMizzou: Analyst's opinion: Emanuel Hall
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Tigers get pledge from WR Emanuel Hall, 2nd commit in 3 days
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou lands pledge from Tennessee receiver

Camp starts on MONDAY
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): FALL CAMP ROLL CALL: Offensive Line

Can The Line Stay Healthy?

And isn't that always the big question?

Last season, the Tigers lost exactly two starts to injury. Max Copeland suffered a high-ankle sprain against Toledo, and Gatti pinch-hit at left guard in wins over Indiana and Vanderbilt.

The result: Missouri set the aforementioned program record in rushing yards and yards per game (490.7), had an envious split between pass and rush production and averaged 39.1 points per game.

Now take a trip with me back to 2012. [...] Not only did the Tigers' original projected starting five miss out on 28 starts out of a possible 60, but Missouri started six different combinations across the starting five in 12 games.

The result: 25.8 points, per game, 356.4 yards per game, 3.7 yards per rush and a sack allowed every 14.3 pass attempts (as opposed to 16.8 last year).

Post-Dispatch: Countdown to Camp: Mizzou's defensive line

What’s going on with [Harold] Brantley? As a redshirt freshman, Brantley showed flashes in the interior last year and occasionally set the edge as a defensive end in MU’s three-man line packages. He caught an illness after the season and lost significant weight. In the spring, he worked with the third and fourth units and Pinkel’s only answer for the apparent demotion was Brantley’s weight loss. At SEC media days, Golden said Brantley was back around 290 and attending summer workouts. Is there more to the story? Pinkel gushed over Brantley heading into last season, and the staff still seems to have high expectations. Has he fallen out of favor or just working to get back in shape? Like Brantley, Hatley has the size and ability to play multiple spots along the line. If anything, the Tigers are deeper in the middle.

26th is actually higher than I expected
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou left out of coaches' preseason top 25

Fan experience
MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzou 30 For 30: Fan Experience Improvements

July 31: Truman's Terrace

A newly-created tailgating area named Truman's Terrace has been added as part of the new East Side construction of Mizzou's Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. This location will give MU fans a unique game day experience where all of fans' tailgating needs are taken care of in the one of the most prime tailgating spots. The new area is located beyond the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field, in the space formally known as the Amphitheater at Mizzou. This area is being converted into a tiered hillside that will allow individuals and groups to hold fully catered pre-game and post-game tailgate parties, making this Saturday tradition easy, convenient and fun. Truman's Terrace will be a specially-ticketed, secured site within the confines of the Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field footprint, meaning that only those with a ticket to the game and to Truman's Terrace will be allowed into the area. Patrons will have access to Truman's Terrace two hours prior to kickoff, as well as for one hour after the end of the game. Special features of Truman's Terrace include a TV viewing area and live musical entertainment, as well as a social lounge space with tables and chairs. A catered buffet is included as part of membership to Truman's Terrace, and an a la carte cash bar will also be available on site. An individual season membership is being sold for $200 per person. For more information on purchasing options and availability, please contact Brittani Price.

Yesterday was Myerberg Day
USA Today: College Football Countdown | No. 43: Missouri

Quarterback? No, I wouldn't say so. Mauk might not be at his prime speed, but he's not a concern — he's a wild card, if that makes sense, but only in a positive direction. Running back? Not really, not when Hansbrough and Murphy bring extensive experience to the table. Offensive line? There's really only one unsure hand, over at right guard, and even if he's new to the position I think Morse is going to do well on the blind side. Defensive line? I worry about the second tier, yes, but the starting four again ranks firmly in the upper half of the SEC. Kicking game? Not if Baggett rebounds; remember that Missouri's kicker and punter are assets in field position.

That leaves the following as my concerns, each of varying degrees: wide receiver, linebacker and the secondary. It's clear that the receivers corps is due to step back; the top three are gone, the group as a whole lacks explosiveness and the second tier is desperate for a step-forward contributor — with the latter high on Missouri's to-do list come fall camp. The back seven on defense is an issue, clearly, but it's one that could be addressed with another ferocious pass rush. A productive front four would have a profoundly positive impact on how the linebackers move in space and the defensive backs run with SEC wide receivers — this isn't complex stuff.

So basically, if @PaulMyerberg is as wrong about MU as he was last year, the Tigers are going to go about 17-(-2). http://t.co/GU1993b8HE
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) July 31, 2014