HOOVER, Ala. — Mark Richt is going into his 12th season as Georgia’s coach. Same goes for Gary Pinkel at Missouri.
But when their teams play Sept. 15 in a conference opener at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo., Richt will be the dean of SEC coaches while Pinkel is a newcomer.
“Staying at one school for 12 years, then all of a sudden switching leagues, that’s probably historic in itself,” Pinkel said Tuesday in his first appearance at SEC Media Days. “How many college coaches could say that could ever happen?”
It’s happened to Pinkel because Missouri and Texas A&M officially joined the SEC on July 1 after moving from the Big 12 Conference.
Pinkel has led the Tigers to an 85-53 record, including six consecutive seasons with at least eight victories, highlighted by a 12-2 record in 2007 capped by a 38-7 victory over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl.
But Pinkel and the Tigers understand the perception Missouri is stepping up in class now that it’s in the SEC, which has produced the past six national champions — Alabama (twice), Florida (twice), Auburn and LSU.
“It seems like if you win another league like the Big Ten or the Big 12, people still think you’re No. 8 in the SEC for whatever reason,” Missouri senior wide receiver T.J. Moe said. “I can’t figure it out. I guess maybe I’ll figure it out in Week 2.”
That’s when Missouri plays Georgia.
“All eyes are going to be on Missouri’s debut in the SEC, and of course Georgia doesn’t want to lose to us,” Tigers senior offensive tackle Elvis Fisher said. “They’re going to give it their all and try and welcome us to the SEC. We’re excited about the challenge.”
Pinkel has called the Georgia game “mammoth” to Missouri fans.
“We call our place ‘The Zoo,’ and it’s a great place to play college football,” Pinkel said. “But obviously the Georgia game, that’s kind of a whole new dimension in terms of playing in our stadium.
“Our fans, to say that they’re excited about us being in the SEC would be a complete understatement. They’ve become fanatical about it. I think that says so much for the great respect that the SEC has.”
Pinkel was quick to note the Tigers also played strong teams in the Big 12 and said he’d be disappointed if anyone at Missouri is “intimidated” at the idea of playing in the SEC.
“I’ve got a place in Florida, go down there sometimes, and people act like we’ve been playing a bunch of high school teams,” Pinkel said. “We played in a pretty good league.”
P inkel said Missouri and Texas A&M now have to prove themselves in the SEC.
“I’m fine with that,” he said. “I have no problem with it. I’m not going to make any predictions. Never have, never will. You have to go out and compete and earn respect and win.”
Missouri returns 13 starters from last year’s 8-5 team, led by junior quarterback James Franklin, who passed for 2,865 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“If anybody down here was paying attention, James is pretty dangerous no matter what he’s doing,” said Moe, a two-time All-Big 12 receiver. “Now he can show a different group of people, because he already showed everybody in the Big 12.”
Franklin underwent surgery on his right shoulder in the spring after being injured in practice, but Pinkel said he will be 100 percent for the start of practice.
“James hasn’t been doing any 7-on-7 [drills] this summer, but he’s calling the plays, getting all the mental reps with us,” Moe said. “He’s got a great presence about him, just so calm.
“When he drops back, it doesn’t matter if he’s got 10 guys blitzing, he chills out. That’s why sometimes he’ll take a big hit, because he’s not running for his life. When he runs, he’s running with a purpose and can get around the edge.”
E.J. Gaines, Missouri’s All-Big 12 junior cornerback, said Tuesday was the first time he has been in Alabama.
“It’s exciting to come down here,” Gaines said. “The vibe just getting off the plane, you could feel they have a pride in what they do here. They’re known for winning. You can see they’re proud of what they’ve done.”
Fisher, back for a sixth season of eligibility to anchor the offensive line after being sidelined by a ruptured patella tendon and gaining a hardship waiver by the NCAA, is from St. Petersburg, Fla. He grew up watching SEC football.
“People may be saying we’re going to be playing with the big boys now as opposed to the Big 12, but I played against some great defensive linemen in the Big 12,” Fisher said. “I know there are a lot of great defensive linemen in the SEC, too, and I’m looking to going against them.”
There has been speculation Missouri’s Spread offense will struggle against speedy SEC defenses.
“I know what we do, and it works,” Fisher said. “So we’re going to keep going with that.”
Pinkel said coaches have spent the offseason studying their new SEC opponents.
“We have a scheme that we believe in, and so we’re going to run it,” he said. “But we also will adjust if necessary.”
Moe laughed as he was asked repeatedly about Missouri’s ability to survive in the SEC.
“The cool thing is now we get grouped in with the SEC,” Moe said. “Hey, now we’re in the ultimate league, right? But we know we’ve got to earn our place.
“We get a chance to start doing it here in a few weeks.”
NEXT Arkansas
Missouri schedule
Sept. 1 Southeastern Louisiana Sept. 8 Georgia* Sept. 15 Arizona State Sept. 22 at South Carolina Sept. 29 at Central Florida Oct. 6 Vanderbilt Oct. 13 Alabama Oct. 27 Kentucky Nov. 3 at Florida Nov. 10 at Tennessee Nov. 17 Syracuse Nov. 24 at Texas A&M SEC game
Sports, Pages 19 on 07/18/2012