Season Preview: Non-conference

With one week officially left until the season opener against Illinois, I figured it's time to break out the summarized season preview.

Each game is categorized in one of three ways:
-- Win - More than 75 percent chance of winning
-- Loss - More than 75 percent chance of losing
-- Push - Somewhere in between

With that said, away we go:

Sept. 1 - Illinois (in St. Louis)

In 2006, Mizzou opened the season at home against Murray State. In 2007, there's no margin for error in the opener, especially under a national TV spotlight at a neutral site. The Illini are 8-38 over the last four seasons, yet they remain one of the Big Ten's biggest enigmas. Ron Zook has lit up the recruiting trail in Champaign, pulling in big time WR Arrelious Benn and somehow selling a program that has gone 4-19 under his tenure. However, the addition of Benn will be a moot point if sophomore QB Juice Williams does not find a way to distribute the ball more effectively. Williams completed under 40 percent of his passes in 2006, throwing for nine TD and nine INT. Defensively, the Illini boast an underrated set of linebackers and a defense that can best be described as "improving." That said, "improving" doesn't exactly equate to the ability to slow Chase Daniel and Mizzou's high-flying offense.
ETS Prediction: Win (38-21)

Sept. 8 - at Ole Miss

Last year, when the Rebels visited Columbia, each team was searching for an identity. A convincing win by Missouri established Chase Daniel as a bona fide leader and galvanized the Tiger offense, whereas a dismal performance by the Ole Miss offense created a slippery slope leading to a 4-8 record and a crisis at quarterback. Last season, Brent Schaeffer, formerly of Tennessee, transferred in from the College of the Sequoias and inherited the starting job without any competition. This season, Schaeffer is moving to WR and the reins of the offense appear to be falling to Seth Adams. Granted, any road game for Mizzou, much less one in the Southeastern Conference, is never a given. But with the Ole Miss offense in panic mode and a defense that will sorely miss NFL first-rounder Patrick Willis, Mizzou should be able to walk out of The Grove 2-0. The one thing that can change this game, however, is the consistent attack of RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (ETS' vote for "best name in the non-conference schedule"). Green-Ellis got shut down by Mizzou last year, but if Ole Miss forces a few turnovers and can win the possession battle with the running game, things could get very interesting very quickly.
ETS Prediction: Win (31-13)

Sept. 15 - Western Michigan

After opening with two big name schools from BCS power conferences, it would be easy to overlook the steadily improving Broncos in the Faurot Field season opener. After winning only one game two seasons ago, Bill Cubit's program has become a player in the MAC, winning 15 games over the past two seasons and nearly pulling off a comeback win against Cincinnati in the International Bowl last January. Nearly all of Western Michigan's skill positions are rife with competition, competition that could either solidfy or destroy stability at each spot, depending on how the young Broncos adapt and adjust to the pressure. The Bronco defense should remain strong and pose a threat in turnover margin, but as long as the Tigers protect the football, Mizzou should appease the home crowd with a win in the home opener.
ETS Prediction: Win (41-17)

Sept. 22 - Illinois State

Admittedly, my knowledge of FCS teams is not high. However, Illinois State should make some noise on the level formerly known as Division 1-AA, entering the preseasn ranked No. 8 in the division. According to camp reports, coach Denver Johnson seems genuinely excited about the Redbird defense, a defense that, like most FCS schools, can often be extremely athletic but undersized. The real intrigue with this game will be how Gary Pinkel divides playing time. Does he risk the first team offense and defense to injury, hoping to have them prepared for the Nebraska game in early October? Or do players like Chase Patton, Gilbert Moye and Derrick Washington get their chance to shine at the expense of preparing the first teams for Big 12 play?
ETS Prediction: Win (52-14)

All helmet images courtesy the Helmet Project at NationalChamps.net.