Blake Baker’s Mizzou defense working with high expectations in year two

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Blake Baker is entering his second season at the helm of the Mizzou defense. With nine returners, the group is under some pretty high expectations.

"We want to be the best in the country," Baker said. "Obviously y'all feel like we had a great year last year, but we feel like we can be the best defense in the country," said senior linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper.

Last year during fall camp, Baker was working on installing a defense, but this time around majority of his group knows the scheme inside and out.

"Last year, I felt like we were teaching scheme all the time, and now we have time to teach how an offense is going to attach us and learn big picture," Baker said.

With the expectations surrounding the team, it's a money year for many of the returners. Most of these guys will move on after this season, so the question is, "How will they be remembered as a Tiger?"

"At the end of the day, it's about pushing ourselves," said defensive line coach Al Davis. "Playing fast, playing physical, all those little small things that add up to wins, and that's the goal to go win football games."

"Nobody ever remembers the captain of the 5-5 team, you remember the captain of the 10-win team," said defensive lineman Darius Robinson.  

Baker deemed this year, "put up or shut up" saying it's time to show the world the culture that's being built at Mizzou.

"We have to prove it, you know talking season's over and these guys are hungry and motivated and we do have to prove that we are the best in the country," Baker said.