James Franklin, sophomore Quarterback:

In recent years, Missouri has produced quality quarterbacks starting with Brad Smith who played from 2002 to 2005, Chase Daniel in 2006 and Blaine Gabbert who followed him. With all those players in the NFL, James Franklin has taken over the position with high expectations. Franklin is much more of a dual-threat passer in the mold of Smith. He is averaging almost 67 yards per game on the ground, with a 100-yard game against Oklahoma. He is averaging 243 yards per game passing with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Most of those interceptions came in a three-game span against Kansas State, Iowa State and Oklahoma State. In three losses to Oklahoma, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, he completed less than 55 percent of his passes and threw five interceptions. Franklin is a dangerous player who can be effective in a variety of ways and can thrive in an offensive shootout.

Henry Josey, sophomore Running back

Josey is fifth in the country in rushing, and is the leading rusher in the Big 12 this season by a wide margin, averaging 127 yards per game this season. The next closest runner is Oklahoma States Joseph Randle with just more than 100 yards per game. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in all but three games, with a 263-yard game against Western Illinois. Kansas State is the only team in conference play to hold him to less than 100 yards. He is averaging 8.5 yards per carry this season, and has had at least one 20-yard run in the last eight games. At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, he is more of a speed runner who will be getting his yards in space and off the edge.

Brad Madison, Junior Defensive End

A preseason All-Conference selection, Madison had his biggest game this season against Western Illinois where he posted four tackles, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a sack and a quarterback hurry. He had his best in-conference game against Iowa State, where he recorded five tackles with a tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry, a sack and even an interception. He has had some positive numbers in their wins, but he needs to be able to apply pressure against higher quality teams if the Tigers are going to win and become bowl eligible. Against a running team like Texas, he will have to be able to get penetration to keep the runs contained in the middle and take advantage against the few times that Texas drops back to pass.