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Gary Pinkel arrived as head coach of the Missouri Tigers in 2001 with little expectation. Few had heard of his name, and fans were content with the idea that Missouri football was a hopeless cause for the most part. A program in the depths of a quality league.
But that was then and this is now. Pinkel has every kid inside the state of Missouri wanting to attend Mizzou. He’s brought winning ways back to Columbia, the way it used to be under Dan Devine. He hasn’t won a conference title, but those are some serious expectations. Indeed, he can do no wrong.
But this latest snag in the Tiger season may have some fans divided in his decision making.
Following Missouri’s 31-10 loss against the South Carolina Gamecocks, a game where the offensive line struggled to keep Carolina defensive ends from smothering quarterback James Franklin, many in Columbia are rallying behind the idea that Franklin’s backup Corbin Berkstresser should be given a chance as the starter.
After all, Berkstresser won the game he started against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the third week when an injury to Franklin’s shoulder kept him on the sideline. Although it was a slightly different team as far as personnel, it was the same school that Franklin lost to a year ago.
Fans were talking about this following the Georgia game; Franklin just flat out didn’t look good. His bubble screens and short range passes aren’t something that will win games. His running up the middle is a complete nightmare, as he ran 20 times against Georgia, more than any player for both teams, and was completely ineffective.
And then again against South Carolina, Franklin ran the ball more than any player on the Missouri team, 15 times averaging an embarrassing 0.4 yards-per-carry.
It’s not so much that Franklin is the quarterback on a losing team, but rather he is aiding in the team losing in such a bad fashion.
Near the end of the game, Pinkel pulled Franklin in favor of getting Berkstresser some experience. And all Berkstresser did was march down field with an impressive touchdown drive. And although many starters on South Carolina’s defense were in and out of the game on this drive, as CBS color analyst Gary Danielson pointed out, the touchdown pass by Berkstresser was against a first string defensive back.
But Pinkel will not be moved. Following the ugly loss, he dismissed the idea that Berkstresser will be given a shot. “It was the end of the game, the fourth quarter,” Pinkel said of the touchdown. “James Franklin’s our starter.”
Fans in Columbia do not feel the same way. Many question Franklin’s toughness an even his attitude. A fan comment left on the Columbia Daily Tribune’s website regarding this issue sums up the general feeling of Tiger fans very well:
“Does anyone else see a problem with attitude on this team. Several times, even pointed out by announcers, Franklin would not or did not throw to Moe even when he was wide open. I have an idea some of the words said about last weeks game have caused an attitude between players. I know the last drive was against reserves however, I think you could see a spark in the entire team when Berkstresser entered the game.” – Columbia Daily Tribune online user “rgreencolm”
Pinkel doesn’t want a quarterback controversy, and I don’t blame him. He’s trying to deal with a depleted offensive line, the absence of the Big 12’s leading rusher from a year ago, as well as the inability of Kendial Lawrence to be effective and help Franklin out. But like it or not, he has an official quarterback controversy on his hands.
It’s likely to be the only thing he hears about all week. Missouri has a road game against the Central Florida Knights this week, one that Franklin should be able to handle. But you can bet your last button that if he plays like he has in his last two starts, the heat turned up to make Berkstresser the man will be almost too much for Pinkel to bear.
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