Here is the fact; Mizzou will be returning 14 starters (6 offense, 8 defense). That is a very strong base considering Mizzou will be returning their big guns on both sides of the ball.

Mizzou will return Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman (Hopefully he doesn't enter the NFL draft), Tommy Saunders, Denario Alexander, Sean Weatherspoon, William Moore and “Picture Perfect” Jeff Woffert a.k.a. Jeff Wilkins Jr. Coffman, Moore and Woffert have a strong chance to win some hardware at their given positions next year. Chase Daniel once again should be a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy.

Mizzou will lose Martin Rucker, Adam Spieker, Will Franklin, Tony Temple, Pig Brown, Lorenzo Williams and Darnell Terrell. This is a great class of players and may throw up caution flags but not so quick...

Losing Pig Brown may seem like a dagger in the heart of any defense but consider he missed the latter part of the season due to an Achilles Tendon rupture and junior Justin Garrett filled the hole. Mizzou is always deep at wide receiver ever year so the loss of Will Franklin may seem tragic but our system produces great receivers (See Justin Gage). Freshman Tim Barnes who is man among men will step into Spieker’s roll as center.

Mizzou loses one special teams player in punter Adam Crossett. Believe me folks this is a blessing in disguise. If you watched any Mizzou games this year you know that this was our most inconsistent area. Anyone will be able to step into Crossett’s shoes and improve upon this years punting.

Missouri's recruiting is on the rise. Playing in the Cotton Bowl in TEXAS will not hurt considering Gary Pinkel has a great track record for recruiting Texas bred football players. Expect Mizzou's recruiting classes to consistently be in the top 15 every year if Mizzou can continue its success.

Tony Temple's brother, Drew, will join Mizzou next year hoping to walk in his big brothers foot steps. He is an exciting prospect. Martin Rucker may seem like a cataclysmic loss but Mizzou successfully recruited mammoth Andrew Jones (6-5, 228) the #17 ranked Tight End. Even when Chase Daniel graduates Mizzou is in good hands with the NFL sized #6 ranked Quarterback Blaine Gabbert (6-4, 226).

Mizzou's non-conference schedule boasts one tough game, Illinois who has a strong chance to contend for the Big 10 title next year. Chase should put up monstrous numbers against the next three opponents: Southeast Missouri, Nevada and Buffalo. Mizzou will face the traditional (5) North Conference games. Texas, Oklahoma State and Baylor will be their South Conference opponents. If I was a betting man I would bet on Mizzou winning at least 10 games again next year and don't be shocked if Mizzou plays in a BCS bowl game.