When opening day arrived, two of Missouri’s starting five linemen – center Samson Bailey and left tackle Tyler Howell – had never played a snap in a Football Bowl Subdivision game.
One could argue that the loss of some dead weight from that 2015 line was addition but subtraction, but still, this is a line of scrimmage league, if you’re to believe the weekly reminders from coaches. Could a line with such little experience really be markedly better than the 2015 incarnation?
As it turned out, yes, it could be much, much better.
My reaction to Barry Odom hiring Jackie Shipp last offseason: "I like this guy!