I think the article was overly harsh. Yea, Mizzou has not been the national contender some fantasized about, but they've been a very good team.
Their D has been their biggest achilles heel, but the type of running attack designed into that spread is pretty anemic, even though they've had/have some good backs.
It has yet to be proven that the TX Tech/Mizzou style spread can compete on the highest level of CFB, i.e., national championships. I don't think you can get there without a strong running attack and stout defense, so in that regard, yes, Mizzou's team has been 'soft' around the edges.
This year, Coffman and the O'line were Mizzou's strengths. Mac is obviously a big threat, but Coffman has about the best hands of any rcvr I've ever seen.
Daniel was a dink and dunk type QB who couldn't deal with pressure, hence his O'line deserved most of the credit for his success, IMO.
I think if Mizzou, like TT, can get a big time D going and get a stout running game they can be a perenially competitive team and maybe make some noise on the NC seen. Will take some revising though, as suggested in the article. Gabbert should be able to stretch the field far better than Chase ever could.
Then you have Pinkel, and quite frankly, I'm not a big believer in that guy. I think Christiansen has been the motor running this team's success.