PLAYING CATCH

MU coach Gary Pinkel often calls that the key to the Mizzou offense. Most likely, the Tigers will have no shortage of candidates emerge, but it might be hard for anyone to approximate the spectacular deeds of Danario Alexander last year. Junior Jerrell Jackson has shown signs of game-breaking ability and figures to be MU's most dangerous target, and sophomore T.J. Moe looks to be the workhorse receiver. A herd that includes returning starter Wes Kemp, tight end Michael Egnew, L'Damian Washington and freshmen Marcus Lucas and Bud Sasser figure to give Blaine Gabbert (ninth in the nation in passing yards a year ago) a committee to distribute the ball to.

RUSH HOUR

All through camp, a leaner, quicker Derrick Washington looked more like the second-team All-Big 12 running back he was in 2008 than the back whose average fell from 5.9 yards a carry to 4.6 last season. But Washington's status is murky, at least for the opener and perhaps well beyond. That leaves promising sophomore Kendial Lawrence as the probable starter this week, with steady junior De'Vion Moore as backup if he is over an injury-riddled camp. Pinkel has been excited about freshmen Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy, and he said Monday that he expects to lift the redshirt of each. The Tigers need to produce more on the ground than they did last year, when their 1,651 rushing yards were their fewest since 1994.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

In many ways, Mizzou's defense improved last season, permitting just 77.8 yards a game on the ground and allowing fewer passing yards and passing touchdowns (to 20 from 29 in 2008). But a case could be made that the rushing defense mostly looked better because opponents knew they still could exploit Mizzou through the air: The Tigers were 104th in the nation in passing yards allowed and routinely were burned for big plays. Mizzou has altered some coverage schemes and has been playing more man-to-man in camp, but the Tigers can get only so much better if sterling defensive end Aldon Smith can't get more help creating a pass rush.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Mizzou shined in some areas last season, with kicker Grant Ressel missing just one field goal all season and booting the game-winner against Kansas, and punter Jake Harry IV and Tigers coverage combining to give MU a 40.5 yard net average — fourth in the nation. Ressel is back, albeit struggling some in camp, and Matt Grabner looks to replace Harry. But the Tigers need to upgrade their kickoff returns (80th in the nation) and punt returns (53rd), noticeably mediocre in the wake of Jeremy Maclin's thrilling play the previous two years. Mizzou also was just 11th in the Big 12 in kickoff coverage.

INTANGIBLES

Pinkel's teams traditionally have been among the nation's best in turnover margin and fewest penalties committed, but they slacked off in those categories last season and need more favorable results there. The real intangible now is to what degree the Tigers are locked in after three alcohol-related episodes in the program and the suspension of Washington. Are they isolated incidents, or do they reveal something amiss? Based on Pinkel's track record, the former is more likely. Even so, it's hardly the way MU wants to go into the season.

Vahe Gregorian