Missouri Tigers: Status Update Heading Into South Carolina

Just a week after suffering a shocking defeat to the Indiana Hoosiers, the Missouri Tigers will face arguably their toughest test of the season when they travel to Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday.

With injuries and poor performances piling up last week, it’s no surprise the Tigers’ two deep depth chart looked a lot different when head coach Gary Pinkel released it Monday afternoon.

Sep 20, 2014; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel calls for timeout against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Faurot Field. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Missouri Tigers 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Who’s Out:

WR Darius White – Groin injury, likely will miss at least a few weeks.

OG Anthony Gatti – Torn ACL, season ending.

Who’s In:

DE Markus Golden – Returns from hamstring injury.

CB Kenya Dennis – Replaces John Gibson at starting corner.

WR Wesley Leftwich – Replaces Darius White at starting Z receiver.

Offensive Line Remodeled:

LT Mitch Morse (same)

LG Brad McNulty (new starter)

C Evan Boehm (same)

RG Conner McGovern (new position)

RT Taylor Chappell (new starter)

Quite the shakeup, but Pinkel had little choice here. The Tigers are hoping Darius White will only miss a few weeks, but groin injuries can be lingering issues if not healed properly, they will definitely also miss Gatti’s experience on the offensive line as well.

With the wide receiver position already low on depth, expect backups J’Mon Moore and freshmen Nate Brown to see extended action against the Gamecocks. Moore is one of the tallest receivers the Tigers have at 6-foot-3, and can be a vertical threat for quarterback Maty Mauk. The Tigers are very high on Nate Brown, but as a freshmen he is still adjusting to the quicker pace, sharper throws, and DI defenses.

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The offensive line played poorly against a less than stellar Indiana defensive unit. Mauk took a few too many big hits than the coaching staff would like while struggling to open holes for running backs Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy. Besides an impressive 68-yard touchdown and another 42-yard scamper, Hansbrough had just 9 yards on 8 carries. Murphy was held extremely quiet as well with just 11 yards on 11 carries.

To win games in the SEC, the Tigers will have to improve their running game and that starts right upfront. No team gets by being one dimensional, which the Tigers have looked like at times this season. Pinkel and staff were blessed last season with a stud offensive tackle in Justin Britt and another solid starting senior guard in Max Copeland. Their presence has been missed.

This line now belongs to Evan Boehm, who struggled with his snaps on Saturday, but has otherwise been extremely impressive in his career. Pinkel hopes the line shuffle, which moves some players back to their more natural positions, will spark new chemistry and take some pressure off the passing game.

With just one week of practice and preparation with the new starters, the Tigers might have to pull a few tricks out of their sleeve to steal a win from Steve Spurrier and No. 13 South Carolina.

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