New defensive coordinator Barry Odom had the defense dialed in during the final scrimmage (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Barry Odom holds his first official practice Tuesday afternoon (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

The goal is to improve day-to-day over the next 15 practices that concludes with the annual Black and Gold game on Saturday, April 16th at 5 p.m.  New Missouri Tigers football coach Barry Odom has been impressed with the team’s willingness to work and learn.  Odom has been excited that the players have been eager to get as good as they can.

Mental and physical toughness has always been a trademark of Odom, whether it was as a player, or defensive coordinator.  Now as he takes the reigns on his first head coaching gig, that must become Mizzou football.  According to Odom as the team has taken on the slogan:  “Toughness Wins”

On the offensive side of the ball, Odom said it is important that each of the players who played last year see improvement in their game from a fundamental standpoint.  They are also challenged in that they must also pick up a new offense, scheme, terminology, etc. that is coming with new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel.

Odom and Heupel are going to lean on tight ends Sean Culkin and Jason Reese in this new system.  Odom says they are going to be called on to line up in multiple positions to make the offense successful and that includes in the backfield.  With only three tight ends on the roster (including R-So, Kendall Blanton), health will play a key role in their success.

There are 17 offensive lineman listed on Mizzou’s roster and Odom is happy to open up the competition with 10-12 of those lineman fighting for starting jobs.

Jackie Shipp, the Tigers new defensive line coach who arrived on National Signing Day, will once again have the deepest position of the roster.  Odom knows a good defensive line will help establish the defense and allow them to do different things in the second and third layers.  Odom also has LBs Donovin Newsom and Michael Scherer returning, two seniors with loads of experience coming back.

Continue to follow Missourinet.com and @Missourisports on Twitter for spring updates from Mizzou.

Mizzou scrimmage schedule:

Tuesday, March 8th – 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Odom / Heupel / Cross
Athletes: QB / LB

Thursday, March 10th – CLOSED

Saturday, March 12th – 9:00 a.m.
Coaches: Odom / Shipp / Hill / Finley
Athletes: DL / WR / TE

Tuesday, March 15th – CLOSED

Thursday, March 17th – 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Odom / Elarbee / Brown
Athletes: OL / CB

Saturday, March 19th – CLOSED

Tuesday, March 22nd – 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Odom / Ford / Walters
Athletes: RB / S

Thursday, March 24th – CLOSED

Tuesday, April 5th – 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Odom / Heupel / Cross / Brown
Athletes: QB / LB / CB

Thursday, April 7th – CLOSED

Friday, April 8th – 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Odom / Shipp / Hill / Finley
Athletes: DL / WR / TE

Saturday, April 9th – CLOSED

Tuesday, April 12th – 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Odom / Ford / Elarbee / Walters
Athletes: RB / OL / S

Thursday, April 14th – CLOSED

Saturday, April 16th – 5:00 p.m.
2016 Black & Gold Game
All Coaches/Athletes Available Post-Game

Mizzou 2016 football schedule

Sept. 3 at West Virginia
Sept. 10 EASTERN MICHIGAN
Sept. 17 GEORGIA
Sept. 24 DELAWARE STATE
Oct. 1 at LSU
Oct. 8 open date
Oct. 15 at Florida
Oct. 22 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Oct. 29 KENTUCKY
Nov. 5 at South Carolina
Nov. 12 VANDERBILT
Nov. 19 at Tennessee
Nov. 26 ARKANSAS

The road to another SEC East title will be difficult, but much remains open.  South Carolina and Georgia have new head coaches as well.  Will Tennessee start to see success with Butch Jones.  Is Florida more than a fluke.  How much better will Kentucky be and we all know Vanderbilt gives the Tigers fits.

The Southeastern Conference set a new NCAA record for bowl wins in a single season with its eighth victory of the football postseason. The SEC led the nation once again in bowl victories, and an 80 percent winning percentage in its 10 bowl games.  Alabama then made it 9-for-11 by winning the National Championship.