SEC: What went wrong with Missouri Tigers
The SEC RapidReports blog is taking a look at what went wrong at the five SEC schools that didn't make a bowl -- Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee.
Missouri (5-7, 2-6 SEC)
Expectations: The Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the SEC East. But with a spread attack led by dual-threat QB James Franklin, many observers thought Mizzou would make a big splash in its new conference and upset at least one of the division's big boys – Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
What went wrong: Franklin missed three full games and most of two others with injuries to his knee and throwing shoulder, and finished with just 10 TD passes against seven INTs. He was not the runner he was in 2011. In fact, Franklin never rushed for more than 43 yards. Three starting offensive linemen got hurt in preseason camp; the line was overmatched against better D-lines.
When it went wrong: The Tigers were 3-2 overall when Vanderbilt came to Columbia, Mo., on Oct. 6. This was supposed to have been Mizzou's first SEC win. But an early injury to Franklin stalled the offense, with freshman backup Corbin Berkstresser going 9 of 30 for 189 yards. Mizzou botched a PAT and bobbled a punt that led to a safety.
Biggest overall disappointment: Missouri finished 97th in the FBS in total offense, and next-to-last in the SEC in both rushing yards-per-game and yards-per carry. The Tigers were 10th in the conference in sacks allowed. In five of eight SEC games, Missouri scored 20 or fewer points.
Bright spots: Outspoken DT Sheldon Richardson, who is leaving for the NFL, led SEC interior defensive linemen with 75 tackles despite being suspended for the Syracuse game. Richardson and LB Will Ebner each finished with 10.5 tackles for loss. Mizzou led the SEC with 21 forced fumbles. RB Kendial Lawrence was one of the few offensive bright spots, running for 1,025 yards and 12 TDs while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
2013 outlook: After Mizzou missed a bowl for the first time since 2004, offensive coordinator David Yost resigned and co-offensive line coach Josh Henson was promoted to replace him. He'll have a solid core to work with in Franklin, WR Dorial Green-Beckham and RB Henry Josey, the 2011 star who appears fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him this season. There's heavy pressure on Pinkel, who's 11-12 against FBS teams the past two years. If the Tigers don't get decimated by injuries again, they should enjoy their second SEC season more than the first.
For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
