Getty ImagesWell, this could certainly be a game-changing development. Assuming it’s true, of course.
Coming off a 41-20 loss to Georgia, Missouri must turn right back around face a challenging nonconference home game against Arizona State. When the Tigers do take the field tomorrow, they may or may not be without their starting quarterback, James Franklin. Ashley Zavala of KOMU in Missouri reports Friday afternoon that Franklin is listed as questionable because of a sore shoulder. Franklin, as you recall, sustained a shoulder injury during spring practices and needed all offseason to recover from surgery.
Tentatively, backup Corbin Berkstresser is reportedly going to get the start. The injury to Franklin apparently isn’t anything more than soreness, but it sounds as though he is a game-time decision.
Missouri has not commented on the report, and per Dave Matter of the Columbia Tribune, doesn’t plan to do so. Unless that changes, this will come down to kickoff (or, just before).
Not having Franklin available would obviously be a huge loss for the Tigers. Missouri went toe-to-toe with Georgia for three quarters last week before the Bulldogs pulled away and Franklin did alright in the passing game. Arizona State is off to a 2-0 start under first-year coach Todd Graham.
Come on Tigers! From a genetic Bayou Bengal Tiger. I hate to hear this news about Franklin. The game with Arizona State was going to be enough of a challenge, and the Tigers don’t need this news. Maybe through whirlpool treatments (I don’t know if they can use what we used to use–horse linament!) James can get enough relief for his shoulder to guide the team for a half or maybe the whole game. It will be a big loss if he cannot play.
Missouri can beat ASU with Berkstresser at QB. Our offensive system doesn’t require a star QB. We shut down a UGA offense last week (excluding the final 2 minutes of the first half) and controlled the game for the first three quarters. I know games are won in the 4th qtr but I can tell you right now, ASU is nowhere near as good as UGA and after one game we’ve proved we belong in the SEC so far. I see this one getting ugly quick. MU wins, 38 – 21
Guess nobody told Mizzou that if you’ve never done it before, playing “old man football” can make you a little sore….Might even have to sit out the next game.
He should be healed by the time the get beatdown by my gamecocks. We don’t want any excuses….
Missouri does belong. But, Georgia did what Sec teams do, wear you down then pull away in the fourth quarter. Go miz, go SEC.
Welcome to big boy football!
Missouri definitely belongs. The SEC is not just football, it also academics and other sports. Missouri will learn what to do to compete in the SEC. The SEC is not “little boys” football. Les Miles properly called it “big boy football.”
Georgia learned its lesson well. UGA did to Missouri what LSU did to Georgia in the SEC Championship game last season. Now Missouri knows this lesson. Missouri can/has learned as Georgia learned from LSU, and the teaching continues. The addition of Missouri and A&M makes the SEC more exciting, especially the strange practices of A&M….aha.
As I have said before, hanging with and being beat by Georgia is no reason to hang your head. UGA is going to beat a lot more “seasoned” SEC teams this year. So Mizzou needs to get there chins up, pull up your bootstraps and come to Columbia next week for their pounding by my Gamecocks!!