Missouri preview: Pinkel ready to start earning those ovations

Embraced by almost-nightly standing ovations as he toured the state shortly after being named Missouri's 31st head football coach, Gary Pinkel acknowledged his astonishment over the fervent reception.

"The enthusiasm of the Missouri fans is a bit overwhelming," said Pinkel, head coach at Toledo for the past 10 seasons.

"It's beyond anything I could've imagined. Honestly, it's a hunger to win. I see it, I feel it."

Pinkel was hired to replace Larry Smith, who went 33-46-1 in seven seasons at Missouri, failing to amplify the success he engineered in the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

Tigers at a glance

SportsLine.com rank: 71

2000: 3-8 overall; 2-6 Big 12 (6th North)

Coach: Gary Pinkel -- First year at Missouri; 73-37-3 in 10 years at Toledo

Returning starters: 16; 8 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter

Players to watch:
QB Kirk Farmer, 6-5, 210, Jr.
WR Justin Gage, 6-5, 200, Jr.
TB Zain Gilmore, 6-1, 215, Sr.
TE Dwayne Blakley, 6-4, 256, Sr.
ILB Jamonte Robinson, 6-2, 209, Sr.
ILB Sean Doyle, 6-0, 227, Jr.

Primary strengths: Experience and talent on offense. If Kirk Farmer finally can stay healthy for a full season, Mizzou could have a well-balanced, high-scoring attack.

Potential problems: Pinkel's defensive system is much different, so an adjustment period is expected. Special teams have been weak the past few seasons.

Overview: The Tigers are older and far more experienced than last season. If they can adapt effectively to Pinkel, his staff and their new system, a winning record is not out of the question.

Pinkel is a self-described Don James disciple -- he played for James at Kent State and was a 12-year assistant for him at Washington -- which means he's a no-nonsense guy who believes in a balanced offense and an attacking defense.

Most of Missouri's returning experience is on offense, where eight regulars are back.

Quarterback Kirk Farmer, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound junior brimming with potential, has missed major chunks of the past two seasons because of injury. He went down with a broken collarbone in the fourth game of last season, allowing promising Darius Outlaw to develop. Outlaw knows he'll probably return to a backup role.

In his abbreviated career, Farmer has completed 86 of 180 passes for 1,182 yards, with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He's also rushed 55 times for 218 yards and four TDs.

The Z-men -- senior Zain Gilmore and sophomore Zack Abron -- figure to get most of the carries from the tailback spot, especially because highly touted recruit Damien Nash of East St. Louis, Ill., failed to qualify academically. Gilmore and Abron combined for 1,134 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

The deep talent at wide receiver includes junior Justin Gage and a bevy of sophomores vying for time.

Veteran inside linebackers Jamonte Robinson -- heading into his fourth year as a starter -- and Sean Doyle lead a unit that's learning a dramatically different defensive alignment. Pinkel and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus prefer a 4-4 set, with the outside linebackers having safety-like responsibilities.

Pinkel hopes the payoff comes in turnovers -- which is what happened at Toledo (the Rockets led the nation last season at plus-2.0 per game).

With All-American defensive end Justin Smith leaving early for the NFL, the defensive line will have a new look, with only tackle Cedric Harden returning. Dan Davis, a tailback last year, has been moved to defensive end and could fill a starter's role.

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