Bill C.: We like to think we have a pretty good read on the Mizzou defense this year. Defensive line: thin. Linebackers: awesome and deep. Corners: awesome and deep. Safeties: ...fine, maybe?
The safety position is a bit of a mystery, with two of the top three spots held by sophomores (Anthony Sherrils and Thomas Wilson). But the Tigers do still have one known quantity in the back: Ian Simon, this year's Underappreciated, Experienced Mizzou Safety™ (UEMS). Simon's career featured some early ups (breaking up the pass that set up the win in the 2012 Tennessee game) and downs (getting burned by Bruce Ellington on fourth-and-ballgame in the 2013 South Carolina game), but he settled into a steady role last year.