By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, as well as Franklin, Washington and senior linebacker Andrew Wilson spoke Tuesday at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., hoping that the event that signaled the unofficial start of the college football season would allow the Tigers to turn the page from a forgettable 2012.

It was Sept. 8, 2012, and approaching 9 p.m. in Columbia, Mo.

Missouri quarterback James Franklin had just connected with L’Damian Washington for a 69-yard touchdown to put the Tigers ahead of No. 7 Georgia, 17-9, in the team’s SEC debut. Hours earlier, Texas A&M, in the mold of the 2011 Aggies, had seen a 10-point lead slip away in a 20-17 home loss to Florida.

Just like many of us suspected, it would be Missouri who would have the easier transition of the two teams to life in the SEC.

Oops.

Exactly three months later, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was hoisting the Heisman Trophy after leading the Aggies to a 10-2 season, a Cotton Bowl berth and a monumental upset of No. 1 Alabama. Missouri, after being outscored 32-3 over the final 27 minutes against Georgia, would go on to finish 5-7, missing the postseason for the first time since 2005. The worst of those seven losses was arguably the 59-29 loss to Texas A&M, a game in which the Tigers trailed 42-7 at halftime.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, as well as Franklin, Washington and senior linebacker Andrew Wilson spoke Tuesday at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., hoping that the event that signaled the unofficial start of the college football season would allow the Tigers to turn the page from a forgettable 2012.

“Last year was obviously a difficult year for us,” Pinkel admitted. “Our players I think have worked tremendously hard; the staff has worked tremendously hard. I’m excited that August is close by and we get a chance to get back out and compete.”

Missouri had finished with an equal or better conference record than Texas A&M in each of their final five years in the Big 12. The Tigers had registered three straight head-to-head wins over the Aggies, the last two coming in College Station in 2010 and 2011.

Seeing Texas A&M adapt so quickly to a new conference while winning only two conference games themselves, against teams who finished a combined 1-15 in league play, took its toll on the Tigers.

“It was definitely frustrating,” said Wilson. Franklin added that the Tigers felt that “we could have done [what Texas A&M did] after having beaten them the last year.”

Franklin was hampered by shoulder and knee injuries for much of last season, missing all or part of five games. After topping 2,800 yards passing as a sophomore in Missouri’s final year in the Big 12, he threw for just 1,565 as a junior. Healthy now, Franklin hopes to recreate his 2011 success in his final college season.

“It’s always frustrating to have injuries after working the whole offseason to get back from the [March 2012] shoulder surgery,” Franklin said. “The motivation I have this year is like nothing I’ve had before. I take it as a great opportunity.”

The back-and-forth between Franklin and Corbin Berkstresser under center had an effect on a talented Missouri receiving corps as well, as the Tigers once-feared passing attack failed to sustain a rhythm.

“As a receiver, the connection that you share with your quarterback, timing is everything,” Washington said. “With James to be hit with the injury bug and switching quarterbacks, it’s tough. Hopefully we’ll have a healthy James Franklin all year.”

T.J. Moe is the lone loss from that receiving corps, with the Tigers adding in Texas transfer Darius White, a top-50 recruit in the 2010 class. He’ll join Washington, fellow senior Marcus Lucas and sophomore Dorial Green-Beckham, the consensus top player in the country in the 2012 class.

“I think we got one of the best receiving corps in the nation,” Washington said. “I’ll put our receiving corps up against any receiving corps. I’m looking forward to a great season this year.”

The Tigers should also be boosted by the return of running back Henry Josey, who suffered a serious knee injury in November 2011 that cost him the entire 2012 season. Pinkel is pleased with Josey’s recovery process and expects him to return to his old form this fall.

“It was fun to see the stages of him in the spring a little bit come back,” Pinkel said. “He had a great spring. We expect him to be 100%. Obviously, he’s an impact player.”

Longtime offensive coordinator Dave Yost abruptly resigned following last season, with offensive line coach Josh Henson being promoted to Yost’s role. The Tigers believe the familiarity with Henson, who has been on the staff since 2009, has made the transition a smooth one.

“He’s communicated with me what he wants,” Franklin said, adding that the biggest difference between the two is Yost’s long, blond hair and Henson’s short ,black hair.

Heading into its second season in the SEC, Missouri expects to fare better than it did in its initial campaign a year ago. A healthy backfield, better understanding of opponents, and a more favorable schedule all work in the Tigers favor.

Much has changed since Sept. 8, 2012, for Missouri – most of which has been negative. But with the 2013 season just weeks away, the Tigers hope to push the reset button back to a time where Missouri, not Texas A&M, was the team that would cause trouble for the SEC incumbents.