James Franklin injury: Missouri quarterback out against Alabama next Saturday

The Missouri Tigers are not enjoying the type of opening season in the SEC that anyone was hoping for or even pictured coming into 2012. As the team left their long-time home in the Big 12 for greener pastures (read: money), Mizzou and Texas A&M hoped to make a big impression on their colleagues and grab a few wins in their new conference home. Instead, Missouri is still searching for their first win and face major injury issues including starting quarterback James Franklin.

Franklin has been reportedly ruled out for next week's game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, which means Missouri will face perhaps the best team in the country with their back-up quarterback. Franklin has been in and out of games all season but now Corbin Berkstresser will officially start in his place. Berkstresser got the win against Arizona State earlier this season in his only start on the year.

Missouri lost on Saturday to Vanderbilt for their third consecutive SEC loss -- the others coming against Georgia and South Carolina.

Franklin has a 61.8 completion percentage on the year to go with four touchdowns and two interceptions.