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Probably of a bit more concern is the backup RB spot. The good news is we're talking about the #2 and #3 RB and not #1. If Abbington makes it and lives up to billing, I see no drop off if all remain healthy. This position really could swing either way at this point. Could have a big drop off behind Hansbrough or it could still be even deeper, i.e. Abbington/Witter/Freshman as GP seems to get 1 freshman RB snaps to prep him for the next year.

Biggest concern is DLine. Kul is gonna earn his paycheck this year. Gonna be a drop off at DE. No way around that. All I hope for from them is to be middle of the pack and decent and not bottom of the pack and horrible. Losing Brantley inside is huge obviously but adding Beckner will help soften that hit. Key to me is Augusta getting in shape so he doesn't have to constantly come out of the game due to lack of conditioning. That could help soften the loss of Brantley as well.

These are my two primary areas of concern as well.

The Ish Witter we saw last year is incapable of shouldering RB2 snaps, so someone has to emerge.

On defense... I think we've definitively upgraded at Defensive Coordinator and can't wait to see how Odom will generate pressure with the pieces at hand (be they LBs or DLs). And in all honestly, I'm hoping Odom is the hire that finishes elevating the program and brand into an elite tier.

I've been very satisfied with the offensive approach the last two years, even if the execution's been found wanting at times. But on defense, it's felt like success or failure has completely hinged on DL play and pressure. If Odom can elevate the LB performance, Mizzou could be a tour de force defensively.