Missouri Offense: better, worse or about the same? Why?

By Mizzou standards, the offense struggled in 2014. This was mainly due to losing some very talented wide receivers.  The 2015 Tiger offense will probably be about the same as last year.  Once again the lack of significant experience at wide receiver has the potential to present some problems for QB Maty Mauk. 

Wesley Leftwich is the lone senior wideout for the Tigers along with sophomores J’Mon Moore and Nate Brown.  Hopefully TE Sean Culkin can also be more of a target for Mauk this season. 

The running game should be on par with last year as TBs Russell Hansbrough and Ish Witter both return.  Up front, the offensive line looks to be a bright spot with four talented seniors, OT Taylor Chappell, OG Mitch Hall, OG Connor McGovern, and C Evan Boehm all returning.  

Missouri Defense: better, worse or about the same? Why?

Just because they were such a force in 2014, Mizzou’s defense will probably take a small step back this year although they did play well in spring ball. 

On the line, DEs Marcus Loud and Charles Harris step into the huge shoes left by NFL 1st-Round draft pick Shane Ray and Marcus Golden. DT Harold Brantley is back along with NT Josh Augusta and both are expected to have good years. 

At linebacker, Kentrell Brothers and Michael Scherer return and Donavin Newsome gets the chance to step up as a starter.  In the secondary, Mizzou returns starting CBs Kenya Dennis and Aarion Penton along with S Ian Simon.  S Cortland Browning saw significant minutes last year and will be starting this year.

You buying or selling this team in 2015? (How many games they winning this year?)

I am buying this team in 2015, but expecting a third straight SEC East title might be asking a little much from the Tigers.  Everything is going to hinge on whether or not Maty Mauk can improve his passing from last year.  If he can better his 53.4% completion rate and cut down on the 13 interceptions from last year, the Tigers should be in good shape. 

The defense should be solid and might be able to take up some of the slack again this year should Mauk falter.  Looking at the 2015 schedule for the Tigers, with the majority of their tough games at home, I think the Tigers will get 9 or 10 wins this season.

Nick Witthaus of Tigerboard.com provided the information for our Missouri Football 2015 Spring recap.  For more Mizzou  football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Nick on Twitter @TheTigerboard.