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COLUMBIA | Justin Britt allowed himself a moment of reverie over what will be the first start of his Missouri Tigers football career on Saturday.
Ah, the pregame pageantry. His picture splashed up on the high-definition video board at the north end of Memorial Stadium.
“Knowing that people are seeing your face on that screen before you even walk out there,” Britt said. “I hope people know who I am.”
Missouri fans may have to familiarize themselves with several new faces, or faces in different places, in the starting offensive line for Mizzou’s season opener against Miami (Ohio).
Britt, a sophomore, will be at left tackle. Junior Jack Meiners will be at left guard. Senior Jayson Palmgren will be the starting center instead of at left guard.
This on an offensive line that was anticipated to have only one new starter, with Travis Ruth set to replace Tim Barnes at center.
That was before Elvis Fisher, a three-year starter at left tackle, was lost for the season because of a knee injury and before Ruth went into a walking cast because of an Achilles’ problem.
Palmgren, anticipated to be the starting left guard, moved over to center. Britt, a backup to Palmgren at left guard, moved to left tackle. Meiners, set to back up Austin Wuebbels at right guard, moved over to left guard.
Confused? Well, at least Wuebbels remains the starter at right guard and preseason All-Big 12 pick Dan Hoch is still at right tackle.
Sunday, Hoch spent some practice time at left tackle, a prime pass-protection position for first-time starting quarterback James Franklin. But it was just part of Missouri’s way to prepare multiple linemen for multiple positions.
That a switch was not made is testament to Britt.
“That shows some respect from the coaches,” he said, “that they trust me. And Dan trusts me.
“Whenever he played left tackle when I sat out, he was like, ‘I want you to come back. I want to go back to the right side.’ ”
Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel didn’t spend much time moaning about the line switches on Monday. The injury report listed only Ruth and reserve tight end Eric Waters definitely out for Saturday’s game. Twelve players sat out the final preseason scrimmage Thursday.
“Considering the number of injuries we’ve had,” Pinkel said, “this is actually a pretty good outlook for now.
“Justin Britt would have played a lot at guard if Travis Ruth would have remained at center. We knew a year from now, when Dan Hoch and Elvis Fisher’s final years were over, we would move Justin out to left tackle.”
Missouri’s patchwork offensive line worked pretty well last week in a strong scrimmage showing against a veteran and heralded defensive front. But those won’t be teammates across the line of scrimmage on Saturday.
It will be a bunch of a Miami players looking to avenge a 51-13 loss to Missouri last season, and looking to take advantage of an offensive forward wall that before Fisher and Ruth went down was considered perhaps the strength of the offense.
“As an offensive lineman, I’d always say that we’re the strength of the offense,” Britt said.
He feels he’s been given a vote of confidence with his starting assignment.
“I believe they really do trust me,” Britt said, “which means I’ve got to really step up my game to prove to them that they are right.
“I think I can. I know I can.”
To reach Mike DeArmond, call 816-234-4353 or send email to mdearmond@kcstar.com.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/29/3108535/britt-looking-forward-to-offensive.html#ixzz1WcyJdbCK
