CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Missouri preview

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Missouri Tigers

Can new-look Tigers save ailing coach?

College Football: The New Century

'99: 4-7, 1-7 Big 12

Coach

Larry Smith (seventh season, 26-31-1; 136-111-7 overall)

Key offensive players

Kirk Farmer, QB, So., or Jim Dougherty, QB, Jr.
Simmering quarterback controversy should be settled before the Tigers' Sept. 2 opener.

John Dausman, WR, Sr.
Speedy playmaker will be top receiving threat, no matter who will be throwing to him.

Zack Abron, RB, Fr.
Surprising spring performance boosted him ahead of 1999 leading rusher Zain Gilmore (764 yards in '99).

Key defensive players

Justin Smith, DE, Jr.
Improved technique during the spring could be an indicator of an All-American season.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Kellen Winslow, TE, 1976-78
"Changed the way we view tight ends."

Brightest Moment: In 1976, backup quarterback Pete Woods scored a two-point conversion with 12 seconds left to lead the Tigers to a 22-21 upset of No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus. In his postgame press conference, OSU coach Woody Hayes would end his comments by snapping "Nuts, nuts, nuts, nuts, nuts."

Lowest Moment: Which is worse -- losing to No. 1 Nebraska in '97 on an unthinkable TD catch deflected off a player's foot, or watching it for eternity on Classic Sports?

Julian Jones, FS, Sr.
Top cover man in secondary moves to safety after leading the Big 12 with six interceptions last year.

Jamonte Robinson, MLB, Jr.
Tigers will count on his stability in the middle (team-leading 108 stops including 65 solo tackles).

Key newcomer

Rob Droege, G, RFr. and A.J. Ricker, C, RFr.
Two projected starters will have difficult baptism with games against Clemson, Michigan State and Nebraska before Sept. 30.

Throwback player

Redshirt freshman RB Zack Abron should remind some MU fans of Devin West with his bruising rushing style.

21st century player

Versatile runner/passer Darius Outlaw should become Missouri's quarterback of the future.

Fast fact

Missouri quarterbacks were sacked 35 times in three scrimmages this spring.

Outlook

This hasn't been the best of years for Smith, whose recent illness only intensifies what clearly will be his most difficult season. The heat was turned up on Smith last year, when the Tigers dropped six of their final seven games. A new offensive system will be installed by coordinators Bill Cubit and Andy Hill, a huge change from the smash-mouth attack favored by Smith. The Tigers don't catch a break with a tough opening schedule, but should be fun to watch with the innovative new short passing offense being used by the Tigers this season.

-- Tim Griffin