All eyes will be focused seven yards behind center at Devine Pavilion, Missouri's indoor practice facility this week. That's where the battle to be Blaine Gabbert's replacement begins in onus.

Gabbert declared for the NFL draft following his junior season, and now seems likely to be a top-10 pick in April. The Tigers begin their spring practice on Tuesday, and the competition to be Missouri's fourth starting quarterback in the last ten years seems wide open. James Franklin, who saw some playing time as Missouri's back-up during his 2010 freshman season, enters as the Tigers' starter.

"James is our starting quarterback going in, then you've got Ashton (Glaser) and Tyler (Gabbert) who are competing," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said to the Columbia Daily Tribune. "We just start competing and see where it goes."

Neither Glaser nor Tyler Gabbert, Blaine's younger brother, have appeared in a game. Glaser was the third-string option in 2010 as a redshirt freshman, and Gabbert redshirted his freshman season. Franklin saw time in ten games and completed 11-of-14 passes for 106 yards, a touchdown and an interception. As the season progressed, Franklin saw more time as a running threat, especially around the goal line. He finished the season with 116 rushing yards on 23 attempts and two touchdowns on the ground.

After signing day, Missouri offensive coordinator David Yost said it's unlikely a starter will be named following spring practice. The competition, it seems, will last until pre-season camp in August. That's when Brad Smith (as a redshirt freshman) and Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert (as sophomores) were officially named starters.

Whoever does end up atop the depth chart won't be stepping onto the field on Sep. 3 with a bare cupboard. Missouri only lost one other offensive starter following the 2010 season, center Tim Barnes. Established playmakers like wide receiver T.J. Moe and tight end Michael Egnew, as well as Missouri's quartet of talented running backs who rushed for 1,557 yards in 2010, await the new signal caller.

"I've never had a quarterback, whoever our quarterback will be," Pinkel said to the Columbia Daily Tribune, "but I've never had a quarterback surrounded with as much experience as this guy, since I've ever been coaching for 34 years."

Other than quarterback, most of the focus for the spring will be on defense. Missouri lost five starters from 2010, including three in the secondary. The return of middle linebacker Luke Lambert, who received a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA, will add depth to the linebacker unit. But, the biggest blow came with defensive end Aldon Smith's decision to forego his last two years of eligibility and enter the draft. Smith totaled 16 sacks in his two years of playing time, although he missed three games in 2010. Now, the question remains whether defensive end Brad Madison and the rest of Missouri's front four can lead the Tigers back to the top of the conference sack chart. Missouri tied Oklahoma with 37 sacks in 2010, most in the Big 12.

"If you know our personnel, you might see the losses we have," Pinkel said to the Columbia Daily Tribune, "and they're some good players, but I've never had such experience to fill in."

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