The Missouri Tigers could turn to redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser on Saturday afternoon as the Arizona St. Sun Devils come to town. Everyone believed James Franklin would make the start leading up to 24 hours before kickoff, but reports have since surfaced that his shoulder is bothering him once again.
Franklin underwent surgery on the shoulder during the offseason and took a couple of big hits against Georgia last week. With a lot of quarterback uncertainty currently in Columbia, Berkstresser would be the starter tonight if Franklin is indeed unable to play. He is not the dual-threat option that Franklin is, but he's got a cannon arm and comes in at 6'3 and 235 pounds.
As with any young quarterback with little game experience -- Berkstresser has thrown five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown this season -- you would think he could be prone to mental errors, especially against an improving ASU defense. Should he make the start, you would have to think Mizzou would run the ball early and often with tailbacks Kendial Lawrence and Marcus Murphy.
No official announcement has been made by the Tigers on Franklin's status for tonight's game, but it would appear that all signs point to Berkstresser making his first start. The Sun Devils might not have very much video of the redshirt freshman, but you would have to think Franklin missing the game could tip the scales in their favor.
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