Each week, publisher Gabe DeArmond answers questions from Tiger fans in the mailbag. Â This format allows for a more expansive answer than a message board exchange. Â Post your questions each week on our premium message board or email them to Gabe at powermizzou@gmail.com. Â On to this week's inquiries:
fmb68 asks: Â Looks like a lot of really good teams will be shut out of the four team playoff this year. What changes do you see coming in the next few years to get more quality teams in the mix? How would you set up a national championship playoff system?Let me be the first to invite you to expand on your thoughts about Charlie Strong becoming a member of the Mizzou staff next year.
GD: On the playoff, there are always going to be good teams that miss. But that's okay. We have 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament and spend three days whining about who got snubbed. You earn your way in. If you don't, that's on you. I have no problem with four. I wouldn't hate eight either if you went with the five major conference champions, the highest ranked Group of Five team and two "wild card" selections. But four is fine. It's better than any system they've had before. Let's look at the teams that could get left out:
Michigan: That would mean you lost to Ohio State. Too bad. Also, should have beat Iowa.
Ohio State: You lost to Michigan and Penn State. Had your chance.
Wisconsin, Penn State, Oklahoma, Colorado: You lost twice. Shouldn't have.
Washington: This is probably the best argument for expanding. But if the Huskies don't lose again, I think they'll get in.
So who's going to get left out that really has a right to pitch a fit? Nobody.
As far as Charlie Strong, I've said I'd give him a call and see if he was interested in being a defensive coordinator. But as of right now, Missouri has a defensive coordinator. We'll see if that changes. In addition, Barry Odom said yesterday that he was planning to continue to be heavily involved in the defense. Not sure someone like Strong would be interested in being a defensive coordinator who doesn't coordinate the defense.
I_Hate_the_Cornhuskers asks: Â Play the role of HCBO, how many players would you run off and how many staff changes are you making?
GD: I'm not going to directly answer here because I make it a practice not to run off specific individuals. I will say that anybody that you don't think is 100% on board and has done everything you ask, get rid of them. Clean house. Don't wait. When you want to change a culture, you better go all the way as soon as you can. If I had to guess, I'm expecting double digit departures from the roster.
On the coaches, the future of DeMontie Cross is certainly in question. He's making $600K and right now, he's a glorified linebackers coach. If Odom really wants to remain in charge of the defense, I've got a hard time seeing how you justify that. But I like DeMontie and would be perfectly fine with it if he is retained.
I_Hate_the_Cornhuskers asks: Â Fill out the remaining spots of the recruiting class based on what positions you feel need to be filled. Do we sign a Juco Qb? Kicker?
GD: Let's assume the class has 25 guys in it. That means you have 12 commitments to get. Here's where I'd personally go with them:
Running Back-1
Wide Receiver-2
Offensive Line-1
Defensive End-2
Defensive Tackle-3 (heavy on juco)
Cornerback-2 (at least one juco)
Safety-2 (at least one juco)
That's 13. I'd assume at least one doesn't make it, or just go over and figure it out later. And if you get a big-time guy wanting to come, regardless of position, you take him. I wouldn't be opposed to another quarterback if it's the right guy.
