Missouri Tigers
2001 record: 4-7 (3-5)
Coach: Gary Pinkel (2nd season, 4-7)
Starters returning: 8 offense, 6 defense, 1 kicker

Outlook: The Tigers picked up one more win last year than they did in Larry Smith's final season but coach Gary Pinkel was far from pleased.

"Hopefully we are better in every area,'' he said, "and we weren't very good last year."

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Pinkel groused about depth in the offensive line, questions about the defensive line, poor turnover margin and special teams woes, but there are signs the Tigers will be improved in 2002. Those hopes rest with a talented receiving corps led by senior Justin Gage, a first-team All-Big 12 selection who is the Tigers' most dangerous offensive weapon -- when they can get him the ball.

Dependable quarterback play and a solid running attack, which will hinge on junior Zack Abron, a third-team All Big 12 pick, will help take some of the attention away from Gage, who caught only eight passes combined against the talented secondaries of Nebraska, Texas and Kansas State.

A tough schedule could mute any progress, with games against eight bowl teams from 2001, including three of the top eight teams in the preseason ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.

Key game: Midway through last year the Tigers were tied 14-14 with Iowa State late in the fourth quarter. A win would have given Mizzou a winning record for the first time under Pinkel, but mistakes led to two ISU field goals and a 20-14 loss in Columbia. The teams will hook up again on Nov. 2 as the Tigers will seek a momentum boost heading into a Colorado, Texas A&M and Kansas State finish to their schedule.

Keep an eye on: Brad Smith. Pinkel spent the greater part of the conference media day raving about the intelligence and poise of his redshirt freshman quarterback, who won't turn 19 until Dec. 12 (only three of the 2002 signees are younger than him). To start, he must hold off experienced senior Kirk Farmer, but his combination of size (6-3, 200), arm strength and speed (4.5 in the 40) appear to have captivated his coach, who coached five future NFL QBs while at Washington (1979-90).

It's a good year if . . . The Tigers figure out what to do on third down. Mizzou was worst in the Big 12 in stopping opponents on third down (47.7 percent) and not much better at converting them (34.5%). Allowing 18 touchdown passes against only six interceptions was a big reason for the defensive failing. Averaging more than 5.1 yards per pass attempt, worst in the league, would help the offensive conversion rate.

Mark Wangrin covers the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News.