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What's On
Didn't figure it would take long for Mizzou's #SECNTakeover intro to reach YouTube...
It's Preview Season
Tennessee
PowerMizzou: Study Guide: Tennessee
Reason for Missouri to worry: Tennessee is a trendy pick in the SEC East, and the talent on offense certainly bolsters its case. Dobbs, now a junior, gives the Volunteers a true dual-threat at quarterback, and pairing him with Hurd, Kamara and plenty of experience at receiver will make his job easier. Tennessee also returns four starting offensive linemen, meaning its offense may be the most settled in the entire division.
Reason for Missouri to rest easy: Yes, Tennessee's offensive line was young in 2014, but it was also pretty bad. While there should be improvement, this group allowed 43 sacks last season. That ranked last in the SEC and 122nd nationally. Any injuries to that group could be devastating to Tennessee's season on offense..
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Get to Know a 2015 Opponent: Tennessee
Got to Sweat Barnett and Maggitt is Legit: I immediately apologize for making you read that. In less florid language, what I'm trying to say is Tennessee may have the best pass-rush tandem in the league -- and probably one that ranks pretty highly in the nation -- in Barnett and Maggitt. Barnett was a bit of a revelation last year. I mean, he was a four-star recruit and a top-15 player at end coming out of high school -- Missouri liked him enough to offer -- but I'm not sure many saw the type of second-team All-SEC, freshman All-America season he had coming. Barnett put up four tackles for loss against Ole Miss and Kentucky, three against South Carolina and two each against Florida and Vanderbilt. He had multi-sack games against Ole Miss, South Carolina and Kentucky. While the Volunteers technically ran a 4-3, they also liked to bring Maggitt off the edge quite often. Corey Vereen, their nominal starting end, had 1.5 sacks compared to Maggitt's team-leading 11. It was a role change for Maggitt, who played a more traditional middle and outside linebacker as a freshman and sophomore before tearing his ACL at the end of the 2012 season and sitting out 2013. When he came back, he rushed as if his beautifully flowing dreadlocks were on fire. Maggitt had two sacks each against Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Tennessee was fairly pedestrian against the run and has been so for the past six years. What Barnett and Maggitt allowed the Volunteers to do last season was absolutely obliterate quarterbacks if they were able to get teams to third-and-moderate to long. Maggitt's role as Barnett's foil will have the added responsibility of helming the linebacker core this year after the graduation of A.J. Johnson, who missed the final two games last season after being suspended while he was part of a rape investigation. Barnett and Maggitt combined for 60 percent of Tennessee's sacks last year. They'll have to do the heavy lifting again this season.
Watch lists are dumb (but they're better when Mizzou guys are on 'em)
MUTIGERS.COM: Brothers, Hansbrough, Mauk Earn Spots on Preseason Watch Lists
MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzous Evan Boehm Lands on Rimington Award Watch List
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Brothers, Hansbrough, Mauk make preseason watch lists
Media Days are right around the corner (no, seriously)
It'll be #LuckyNumberSeven for #Mizzou at #SECMD15! @KD7_E, @BIGboehmTHEORY @M_MAUK_7 will represent #Mizzou #Jackpot pic.twitter.com/iXgifGvimA
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) July 8, 2015
WHATNOT
Baseball
MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzou Baseball Summer Ball Update
MIZ-USA
MUTIGERS.COM: Woodson Through to Semifinals at World University Games
The Trib: MU diver Reedy places 12th at World University Games in 3-meter springboard