Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Missouri Tigers

2010 Record: 10-3 (6-2), Tied for 1st in the Big 12

Returning Starters: Offense (9), Defense (6)

Bowl Result: Lost to Iowa in the Insight Bowl 27-24

Overview: In what seems to be a trend in recent history, the Tigers are replacing yet another successful quarterback who was picked high in the NFL Draft. This time, it is Blaine Gabbert, whom the Jacksonville Jaguars selected with the 10th overall pick. Taking over for Gabbert will be sophomore James Franklin. Franklin signed with Missouri in 2010 as the 4th ranked quarterback in the country and used his first year to learn under Gabbert, while also seeing limited playing time. While Gabbert was deceptively athletic, he still spent more time in the pocket than previous Missouri quarterbacks. Franklin’s athleticism and scrambling ability could remind Missouri fans more of former quarterbacks (and current NFL players) Chase Daniel and Brad Smith. 2010 Consensus First Team All American tight end Michael Egnew (pictured) returns and should provide a big target for Franklin as he adjusts to his first year facing Big 12 defenses.

Missouri finished first in the Big 12 and 6th in the country in points allowed in 2010, only giving up a little over 16 points per game. If they want to repeat that performance in 2011 it will start with their talented defensive line, which surprisingly is one of the best in the country despite having to replace 2011 NFL Draft first round pick Aldon Smith. Returning defensive end Brad Madison led the Tigers with 7.5 sacks last year, 4th most in the Big 12. The Tigers are also still waiting for junior college transfer Sheldon Richardson to qualify, but he has the talent to take over at defensive tackle immediately once he enrolls.

Key Matchup: Missouri at Oklahoma, September 24th: The Tigers open their Big 12 schedule with a pivotal matchup in Norman against the Sooners, who will be looking for revenge after being upset in Columbia in 2010 despite being ranked number 1 in the country at the time. Oklahoma has enjoyed one of the more amazing homefield advantages in college football, posting a staggering 72-2 home record since Bob Stoops took over 1999. Franklin will get somewhat of a road test in Week 2 when Missouri visits Arizona State, but this game will be a much tougher matchup against a defense littered with future NFL players. However, should the Tigers repeat their performance from 2010, they will have an sizable leg up on the rest of the Big 12.

Impact Newcomer: James Franklin, QB: As mentioned earlier, Franklin will try to continue Missouri’s recent tradition of exceptional quarterback play. Franklin saw action mostly as a runner in 2010, rushing for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. But Franklin is also a talented passer, as he threw for over 2300 yards his senior year at Lake Dallas High School in Texas. As the Tigers return everyone on offense besides Gabbert and center Tim Barnes, Franklin’s contributions should make Missouri dangerous offensively. 

Coach’s Quotes: “Now, the challenge for us is to make sure our seniors have the best years they’ve ever had.  A year ago, we won 10 games, and most every senior had their best year. That’s important if you want to achieve your goals and reach your potential.” – Head Coach Gary Pinkel

Penn State Nittany Lions

2010 Record: 7-6 (3-5), Tied for 7th in the Big Ten

Returning Starters:  Offense (7), Defense (7)

Bowl Result: Lost to Florida in the Outback Bowl 37-24

Overview: In what will be legendary coach Joe Paterno’s 46th season in State College, Penn State looks to rebound from an up and down year that ended with a loss to Florida in the Outback Bowl. The Nittany Lions lost starting runningback Evan Royster to the NFL Draft but return almost all of their other key contributors. At quarterback, a battle brewed during the spring between sophomore Robert Bolden and junior Matt McGloin. Bolden, who started as a true freshman in 2010 until he suffered a concussion in Week 8, reportedly considered transferring in the off-season but is back and looking to secure the starting job. Bolden may have more raw talent, but McGloin impressed enough in relief of Bolden that he was named the official starter in early November.

The school commonly known as Linebacker U once again will have a great deal of talent at that position. Middle linebacker Michael Mauti was named to the Butkus Award watch list, awarded to the top linebacker in the country, and also to Phil Steele’s Preseason All Big Ten First Team. Fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him in 2009 and a number of nagging injuries that slowed him down last year, Mauti should be a force in the middle of the Penn State defense. Outside linebackers Gerald Hodges and Nate Stupar will also be big contributors for a defense that finished 2010 35th in the country in total defense despite injuries at virtually every position.

Key Matchup: Alabama @ Penn State, September 10th: Penn State takes on a challenge that few programs are willing to take on in their non-conference schedules, hosting the 2009 National Champion Crimson Tide. Alabama is widely considered one of the favorites to appear in January in the BCS National Championship. Not only would an upset here be a great way for Penn State to start the season, it would also help other Big Ten members as it would give the conference a great deal of national respect. 

Impact Newcomer: Khairi Fortt, OLB: Although not a starter yet, Fortt should provide a tremendous boost in a reserve role for Penn State. The 6-2, 227 pound sophomore played sparingly on defense and special teams but had a great spring and is poised to make an impact as the first linebacker off the bench. The Nittany Lions struggled with their pass rush last year, so Fortt’s speed (he was clocked at 4.55 seconds in the 40 yard dash) should help out with that aspect. 

Coach’s Quotes: “We played Northwestern and Ohio State back to back. And with a minute to go [in the first half] against Northwestern ‘til halftime at Ohio State, we outscored those teams 49-3. The other 59 minutes we got outscored 56-0. That’s in a two-week stretch. That shows you, literally, a young team without a lot of leadership. Sometimes they react to negative things very poorly and it snowballs.”
– Quarterbacks Coach Jay Paterno