Is Oklahoma that good or is Mizzou's defense that BAAADDD??!!
The answer is both, but I still think Texas would beat Oklahoma head to head in a rematch.
While Mizzou's offense has risen to the level of the elite schools like Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Florida and Texas Tech, it is very clear the defense is one of the worst in the country.
Old Larry Smith defenses were better than this squad of untrained talent. Still young, much of the defense could be groomed into an elite defense on par with LSU and Florida and USC. But only if Gary Pinkel does something he has refused to do... Hire a better defensive coordinator.
Matt Eberflus is in his eighth year as defensive coordinator and his third with the title of associate head coach at Mizzou. The 2007 season marked Eberflus' 16th season under Gary Pinkel, and his ninth campaign coaching defensive backs.
While he may be great at recruiting and executing Pinkel's vision, he has not been able to make Mizzou's defense more than a "on paper" elite. Playing a light schedule the last few years has only added to this problem. But when faced with REAL competition, the defense folds like a poorly stacked deck of cards.
In 2007, Eberflus' defense was at, or near, the top of the Big 12 in nearly every major defensive category. For his efforts, Eberflus was twice recognized as the National Defensive Coordinator of the Week. This is not good news, Tiger fans. This kind of garbage only happens against horrible teams and has no real substance with regard to Mizzou's real defensive capabilities.
If Missouri HAD a defense, they wouldn't have been down 38-7 at the half against Oklahoma. They wouldn't have been in the same situation against Texas. They wouldn't be asking the same questions EVERY year.
Say what you want about the Longhorn and Sooner defenses, they shut down our high powered offense. 21 points in a 62-point blowout mean nothing, despite Stoops' antics on the sideline.
21 points with a defense that could have held Oklahoma to 21 points in regulation would have been acceptable. Actually, 21 points in a 28-21 game would have been perfectly okay with me. At least that shows some respectability.
Mr. Pinkel, just spouting stats that mean nothing and only pad your longtime friend Eberflus do nothing to make Mizzou a REAL elite team. Next year, you'll be lucky not to lose the North to Nebraska which will actually have a defense next year.
This much is clear from the second Big 12 Championship game: Mizzou is NOT as good as Oklahoma, or Texas either, which in my opinion are the two best teams in the country.
Mizzou also had NO BUSINESS in the Big 12 title game. Not even the 3rd best team in the conference, Mizzou benefited from a weak North Division that WILL be much better next year.
There is not one good reason Mizzou should be a four-loss team this year with the talent on both sides of the ball.
It's time Pinkel does something about it. The time is NOW.
Unless of course Tiger fans, you like being just good enough to make a mediocre bowl outside the BCS every year.
Say it with me Longhorn fans... M - I - Z !!! Z - O - U !!!
I know what you're expecting from me this week. Humble pie and awe shucks my Tigers can't even beat lowly Kansas comments, but you can sweep those sentiments right out the door.
Kansas is our biggest rival, period. Records mean very little in that game. Ask them how many times our basketball team has beaten their #1 ranked basketball squad while we were barley above .500.
Sure, I may be the odd man to say I an extremely disappointed with a three-loss season at Mizzou. But give me four losses and I'll be burning Pinkel at the stake.
Well, maybe just the defensive coordinator.
Mizzou has not forgotten last year's Big 12 Championship game and all the hype going into that game. All we had to do was win and go to the National Championship Game. The BCS. Instead we went to the frigging Cotton Bowl and played some #### SEC team.
This is Championship weekend though, folks. This weekend determines who we will see and where. It's either time to celebrate or time to mourn. Of course, I started mourning after the second quarter in the Mizzou/Texas game. But I still think any Sooner fans waiting to see Mizzou roll over like they did in that game are in for a long night Saturday.
Mizzou 45 Oklahoma 42
I know what you are thinking. How can Mizzou keep the Sooners from scoring 60+ points? Easy, we rediscover our running game. Yeah, easy. Call me crazy, but this is one game that Big Game Bob is going to blow. Better now than the BCS Championship Game, right? If you look at the Mizzou Tigers this year, one thing is apparent: they haven't played their best game of the year yet. Hell, they haven't played as well as they did last year at all. Not once. Not good for a team with pretty much the same key players as the year before, which means it comes down to coaching. Can Pinkel earn his dream of spending the rest of his career at Mizzou? The bigger question of course is whether the Tigers can finally beat the Sooners and send Texas to the National Championship while earning a BCS berth themselves.
Alabama 35 Florida 28
Am I the only one in the country that thinks Alabama is the most disrespected undefeated and #1 ranked team ever? Seriously, not one analyst I have heard over the last few weeks expects the Tide to win the SEC, much less the National Championship. An undefeated team that has won more on talent and coahing than luck or chance. Sure Ole Miss is a great squad and caught Florida asleep at the wheel. But Alabama has proven all year that they are for real and they are the real deal. I suspect the bandwagon will have a nice loud roar of Roll Tide Roll come Sunday.
USC 66 UCLA 3
Every week I call a close game from the Trojans and every week they make me look bad. This week, maybe I'll jinx them instead. But I doubt it. These Fighting Neuhzies are that good.
Virginia Tech 19 Boston College 12
These two schizo teams have no identity this year and Beamer's big recruits from the Hampton Roads area in years past have proven big players, but lately the talent pool is a little shallow. Still, I like the Hokies in this odd defensive game in an offensive world.
West Virginia 35 South Florida 17
This game had so much potential at the beginning of the year to determine the Big East Champion. What a disappointing year for the conference, given the weakness of the Pac 10 and SEC this year. I doubt many outside the alumni associations watch this one.
Ball State 31 Buffalo 20
Can they do it? It's been difficult for Ball State to keep the dream alive, but with undefeated Utah and Boise State both up for BCS bids it really doesn't matter in the end.
What a yawner the Texas A&M/Texas game was. I can hardly imagine having to be one of the commentators for that crapola. And why is the Bachelor all of a sudden this year's most used analyst and color commentator? I know the guy used to play football, but didn't the whole handing out the roses thing kind of kill the street cred?
Anyway, Friday has a bunch of yawners in store for us as well. Well, I suppose West Virginia/Pitt could be a good game with the rivalry considered. Still, these are Big East teams we are talking about, so who really cares?
Saturday, though on paper it looks like blowout central, I suspect we will see some MAJOR upsets and great rivalry games. Here is my take on what will unfold over the next couple of days...
Fresno State 21 Boise State 20
As much as I respect what Boise State has done this year and over the last decade, Fresno State always has a great upset up their collars once a year. Despite being on the home smurf, I expect a close one. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos remained focused and pull it out.
West Virginia 31 Pitt 24
This game is usually a bloody ordeal, though it had bigger implications before losses that made Pitt fans reach for the Prilosec. Officials will not be pleased about the 4-loss season at Pitt, especially in a year the Big East title was so easy to grab.
LSU 44 Arkansas 14
Yawn.
Mizzou 52 Kansas 28
My how the Jayhawks have sucked this year!!!! Close for the first quarter, but Mizzou is stacked with talent and ready for a big game atmosphere at Arrowhead. And the big game at Arrowhead to follow with the Big 12 Championship on the line. Call it a warm-up despite the rivalry. Mizzou is still pissed about missing the BCS last year despite killing the Jayhawks' Big 12 Title hopes, while Kansas got the big trip to Miami. Time for more payback.
USC 24 Notre Dame 17
Closer than everyone expects, but the kids are fighting for the big guy despite the head scratching losses to the likes of the Orangemen.
Virginia Tech 23 Virginia 21
Will the real Cavalier squad please stand up??? How about the real Hokie squad??? Talk about inconsistency. These two teams have no identity this year. Should be of interest to those of us that went to high school in Virginia, but not many others.
Oklahoma 38 Oklahoma State 28
Boone Pickens Stadium will be rocking for the first half. Look for the bar across the street to be filled to capacity by the 3rd quarter. If you're going to the game will you get me an Eskimo Joe's shirt??? XXL please!!!
So, Alabama survived a game against a mediocre LSU team while Texas Tech ROLLED a solid Top 10 team. Guess who I have ranked #1?
Say it isn't so, for Joe... Iowa? Geez, a lot of folks called that one, but geez. Iowa???? What a horrible team to lose to. Almost as bad, well no... it's ten times worse than losing to Oregon State. At least Oregon State is a halfway decent team. But since Oregon State did beat USC and Utah beat Oregon State, Utah remains ranked higher than the Trojans. Say what you want Wilson, that USC team is not as good as they could be.
Boy how BAD is the SEC this year? The typical, 'oh the SEC in conference competition is tougher than everyone else's' argument just doesn't hold any water this year. The Big 10 is stronger this year, which is sad really. Aside from Florida and Alabama, the rest are OBVIOUSLY mediocre. I would say the SEC is just as strong as the Pac 10 this year.
Sorry, I'll try to keep the laughter down to a minimum.
Well, here's to hoping every other team in the Top 10 loses...
1. Texas Tech
2. Alabama
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma
5. Florida
6. Utah
7. USC
8. Boise State
9. Missouri
10. Ohio State
11. Penn State
12. Oklahoma State
13. Ball State
14. Michigan State
15. North Carolina
16. Florida State
17. Georgia
18. TCU
19. BYU
20. LSU
21. South Carolina
22. Oregon
23. Oregon State
24. Tulsa
25. Nebraska
Oh, and HOW THE HELL IS KERRY COLLINS THE QB AND THE TITANS UNDEFEATED IN MID-NOVEMBER???!!!
I still believe Vince Young is the better QB even if he is crazy.
Last week I spent every day away from the house, which meant no time for blogging or picks. Sorry guys and gals. Monday I took the kids to see Obama speak in Tampa at the Yankees spring training facilities across the street from Ray Jay. The field used to be called Legends Field, but I guess George just felt like naming it after himself.
Tuesday I took the wife to see Rise Against. Awesome.
Wednesday I arrived at the Trop at 2pm and unloaded the kids and set up camp in the parking lot for Game 1 of the World Series. Awesome.
Thursday, more baseball!
Friday, dinner out at Bubba Gump's with my family. Gotta love spot bonus gift cards when you least expect them!
Saturday... what a day! Great games. Though I thought LSU was better than Georgia, but geez was I wrong on that one. Or has Georgia just improved over the course of the season and LSU taken a few steps back???
Now I know how Marty felt after USC tossed the Buckeyes around like ragdolls.
But this... this was worse.
Missouri didn't even realize the game had started until halftime.
What makes it sting more is the fact that we'll have to sit through another debacle like this December 6th at Arrowhead in the Big 12 Title game.
There is NO doubt this week who the #1 team in the nation is.
Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo is the best in the nation and will be a future HOF'er in the NFL with that kind of brutal strength and speed.
To the haters go the spoils, but don't be quick to be one of those morons saying Mizzou is a four-loss team. There is not one team left on the schedule aside from Kansas that has a chance of stopping the Tigers. Of course, it helps when all those teams are from the North division that is floundering once again after looking great at the beginning of the season.
There is NO doubt this week which division is the best in the conference as well as the nation.
The Tigers, now 5-2 after their third straight 5-0 start in as many years have pretty favorable remaining schedule. Which will set up a 10-2 Mizzou squad with dellusions of grandeur and with each of the games being televised don't expect the Tigers to take it easy on any of them.
Homecoming is this Saturday (10/25) when Colorado comes to town. The Tigers should work out some of the frustration out on those poor Buffs. Say what you want about Mizzou, they still put up 31 on the Longhorns which in my opinion is the best defense in the nation. The Buffs are lucky to score at practice, much less in a real game.
Then to Waco for a game with an improved Baylor squad on 11/1, but despite some great athletes taking up residence on campus Baylor has a defense even worse than Mizzou's. A high scoring affair for Mizzou and another win.
Then the Blackout game against Kansas State in Columbia on 11/8. Kansas State showed signs of life at the beginning of the season, but they are still two years away from being able to beat Mizzou again.
Then to Ames on 11/15 and the new look Iowa State squad that decided ugly colors were better than a marketable logo. Mizzou has had games stoeln from them in Ames in recent years due to bad officiating, but this game won't be close enough for that to happen this year.
Then to Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium for a showdown with our most hated rival and the most dangerous team left on the Mizzou schedule on 11/29. Well, even IF something crazy were to happen and the Jayhawks added to this debacle of a season and won, Mizzou would still go to the title game because before the two teams meet Kansas (5-2) will have lost to Texas and Texas Tech and possibly Nebraska. But it makes little difference what the records are when the Jayhawks and Tigers play each other, not matter what sport we are discussing at the moment. Still, I find it hard to imagine Tigers blowing a shot at the BCS again this year.
But then again, they are The Pretenders of the Big 12 we are talking about. They pretend to be in the same class as Texas and Oklahoma, but given the chance to prove it they fail and fail miserably. People that leave the state sometimes refer to the place as Misery, which is what Mizzou football fans have felt every year since 1969.
That was the last time Missouri won a conference championship.
Of course, there are four teams in the South that could stand in the way of Mizzou getting to the BCS at all. Texas Tech and Oklahoma State are both undefeated while Oklahoma only has one loss as of yet. All of those teams face each other or Texas, so the losses will come. I find it hard to believe they would all lose three, which is what it would take for Mizzou to still get in the BCS and not have to beat Texas for the Big 12 title. So if Mizzou wants to go to the BCS dance this year, they have to win the last game of the year December 6th at Arrowhead.
If I were a betting man, I wouldn't place any money on those odds. The Homer Poll to follow later this afternoon. I am actually at work right now, so get off my #### already.
Last night, I had two TV's in the living room with the Rays/Red Sox game on at the same time. By halftime, the Rays were on the big screen and the Tigers were on the 32 inch with the sound muted. By the end of the night, there was a movie on the big screen and the Rays on the muted screen. Man, my teams know how to make a fan miserable.
This close to gametime I don't expect discussion, but gotta put 'em on the record here in the blogosphere anyway.
With that said, I have to put and "I TOLD YOU SO" out there for all the BYU talk I heard every week I said they were pretenders all along. Also Boise State, contenders. Period.
The Texas bandwagon gets derailed Saturday in Austin. Put down those ugly #### burnt orange pom poms and get the black and gold back out of the closet.
As we have learned in the Big 12, there is no such thing as home field advantage. Sure it helps, but with the quarterback stockpile in the conference it is clear that it takes more than one good game to make a season.
Will it be a shootout? Absolutely, but more than likely the game will be decided on the last possession.
We could see 90 points scored in this game, but folks thought that about the OSU game as well.
On another note, is it just me, or is Chase Daniel the fastest chubby little ####ker in the world or what? Perhaps that is part of his success, the defense sees his beer belly and think that he's a slow lumbering fullback. Then he zooms by and has a 30 yard rush.
No offense to Chase intended, I had similar comments made about me as a player. (not at Mizzou in case you're wondering) I was to busy working my way through school. As you can see from my new avatar, my job had some perks.
Anyway.
As disappointed as I am by last week's debacle in Columbia, the Tigers never showed up on offense and didn't play even a third as well as we can. Ever see Varsity Blues? Remember when the gang went out and hung out at the strip club and pulled an all nighter the night before a game? Yeah, but the grumbling around town has other acquisations flying around as well.
Hell, I remember partying during the Brocky IV year at Mizzou with many a player in the VIP section of a few spots downtown. But that was after we carried the goalposts to Harpo's after beating Texas. Was it that year???? ####, things are fuzzy from the Larry Smith years nowadays.
The Big 12 North will be the champion division this year. It begins again this Saturday. Then when OSU beats Texas and sets up the Redemption Bowl II, this year Mizzou will finally live up to it's talent level.
For all you Johnny-come-lately peeps that try and say that Mizzou is a fluff team that just came on the scene last year haven't been watching the Big 12. Our last QB is playing on Sundays, though as a receiver I'll grant you. But catching passes from Brett Farve has got to be fun.
But Chase will be playing at the next level despite his size. Then again Chase and Chase will be there as well. And Jeremy Maclin, of course.
Well, I didn't get out the shotgun and blow my head off last night. Although, my head sure feels like it today.
I called for Okie State to make some noise in the south, even had some doubts going in to the game. Never though, did I worry. Not even as the 4th quarter began and we were still trailing. Then Chase decided he didn't want the Heisman and threw bonehead interceptions.
Our D-line never showed up, though our secondary did pretty well. Imagine that.
Pinkel was completely out coached inthe second half. Not as badly as in years past, but enough to make me want to kick him in the arse a few times this morning.
I called the Texas win over the Sooners, but I was not as impressed as everyone else. They were slow on offense, but stiff on defense when it came to the run. I still see a Mizzou win this coming weekend, though. Our boys are not going down two weeks in a row.
With that, all I can say is I never in a million year thought I would be ranking a Big 10 school at #1 at ANY point this season. Then again, this is Jo Pa we're talking about.
We may not have any undefeated school in the National Title game this year, though. If my Cowboys lose to the Cards today the suicide watch may be extended pending the outcome of the ALCS.
Well, conference play is in full swing and the games should be GREAT this weekend. The biggest game on the college football menu this weekend of course is the Red River Rivalry.
#1 vs. #5. By the end of the weekend there will no longer be three Big 12 teams in the Top 5, so all you haters will be happy for a couple of weeks anyway.
By Monday, I believe we will have a new #1 in the major polls.
Well, we learned some things this past weekend... or did we? After some matchups I still have questions. Let's discuss....
Is Vandy really for real or is Auburn just that lame? Well, if a backup QB can still lead the team to a win, I feel Vandy is for real. I have had them ranked for weeks now in the Homer Poll, but they are now the highest ranked team out of the SEC East.
Has Mizzou's defense really improved? The Homer in me wants to say yes, but the realist says... a little bit. Sure, they held Nebraska to just 10 points, (the last 7 as time expired was against our bench warmers), but Ganz is a good QB and exposed our secondary as he elluded defenders all day. Another mobile QB with better receivers later in the schedule... oh ####, we play in the Big 12. Still, we made the adjustments and improved as the game progressed. It looks like Pinkel has finally realized what halftime is for.
Is Penn State really a National Title contender? Yes.
This week many outside of the Tampa Bay area had no idea about the drama on the field at Ray Jay last Sunday. They barely noticed Bucs kicker Matt Bryant was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Bryant was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goal attempts (23, 36, and 24 yards) and converted all three PATs in the Buccaneers 31-20 win over the Packers.
His play was key to the Buc's win as they trailed Green Bay 21-20 with 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was then Bryant kicked a 24-yard field goal, his third of the day, and the game winner. Bryant is 8-of-8 on field goal attempts and 12-of-12 on PATs this season. It is the second time in his career that Bryant has earned Player of the Week honors with the Buccaneers and fourth time overall.
So what's the big deal? The mere fact he was on the field was something to notice and pay attention to. The mere fact that he had a career day on the field during a spectacular season wasn't the source of the drama. Bryant was on the field just hours after he had arrived back from Texas on the team's plane along with his wife and family. Hours removed from laying his new son to rest in Texas.
After suffering a horrible tragedy earlier in the week with the passing of his three-month old son, Tryson, Bryant had a perfect game.
His wife awoke and began to start her day as always, to get them ready to go. She went into the room and found Tryson had passed away in his sleep overnight.
As a father of three kids all under the age of 6, and one still just a year old, I know the joy this time of life and in marriage can be. I know the size of my heart is a direct result of the three children filling it over the top everyday.
I also know I would absolutely have not the slightest bit of strength to get on the field and play with such perfection. What if he had missed his first one? The first one of the season, the first one of the game dedicated to his son's memory? This is one of those moments I will always remember as a sports fan.
Through work we do a lot with the players from time to time, which is how one of my new colleagues became friends with the Bryants. He was there in the luxury box with Bryant's wife and family during the game. Yes, his wife showed just as much strength and character in this overwhelming time of tragedy. Though she wore sunglasses, streams of tears flowed down her cheeks each time Matt was on the field and he motioned to his son as he spoke with him on the field.
Few games will have the impact this game, this man's performance and strength, or this tragedy have had on me. This hit close to home for me as a father.
I quit my career and put my life on hold to raise my kids and keep them from being raised in daycare centers. Though I am back working on my career and had to really start all over again, I am fortunate I am still able to watch them all day. I put family first, which is my point.
The fact that Matt is a family man and a man that puts his family first and leads a good life just hits home with me. I know how much he loves his children because of my love for my children. Maybe I am trying to explain this point a little too well for you jaded single folks, but there is no way I can comprehend his loss. But I have a pretty good idea.
That's why I see this moment of this season and I have to take a pause. I have to recognize that in a world of overpaid athletes and lost ethics and principles that there is still one of the good guys out there. And that man is hurting right now and I have to say that this moment of strength and character is not going without recognition.
And I have to cheer for the Bryants. So, I will cheer for the Bucs this year with an emotional investment usually reserved for America's Team. Sure, I am a diehard Cowboys fan. Living here in Tampa Bay, I have actually been to as many Bucs games as I have Cowboys games.
I'll always be a Cowboys fan. But this year, I am a Matt Bryant fan. As much as I think Gruden is a #### and an ####, which is a common thought here locally, as much as I really do not want Gruden to get a another ring this year of all years... I am a Matt Bryant fan. I want him to win.
You have to want him to win. You have to want to see him kick the game winning field goal or extra point that sends Tampa Bay into a frenzy.
You have to cheer for a family that is putting the pieces back together. For a father and a mother that still have kids running around being kids. For a father and mother that must move forward and look beyond the sorrow for their childrens' sake. You have to cheer for the Bryants. You just have to.
Well, I do.
Bad things happen to good people. This year I have seen a few bad things happen here in my life in this wonderful Republican economy, but it gets put into context when I see the sorrow and grief of a family losing a child so young and without warning.
I still get to hug my girls and keep them safe tonight. I hugged them a little tighter last week when I heard the news early that morning. My Mikayla calls those hugs a "Big Squeeze" and always asks for an extra one after the bedtime story is finished.
Though they'll never know it, Tryson and his father have touched my life and made me take a moment out of this hectic and stressful time to stop and remember why I am working so hard and struggling and juggling to just stay afloat.
So tonight at bedtime, make sure you think about Tryson and give yours a couple of more seconds before you head back over to the TV and give them a Big Squeeze.
Well, Oregon State just beat the #1 ranked USC Trojans and now head to #15 Utah. Should be a no brainer, but this year the Pac 10 isn't doing so well against the Mountain West. Of course, I think the beavers will win and the Utes will beat BYU later in the season and thus deny both teams BCS glory and/or embarrassment.
So with that.... This week I tried to pick most games honestly. I got cocky last week and picked with my heart and went 5-5, 5-6 with the bonus. My worst week of the year. 40-13 overall for the year... and holy bat #### it's Monday and I have my picks done.
Last week I conceded the fact that Mizzou had not played good enough for the #1 ranking I had given them from Week 1 through last week. They won by 21 points and I ranked USC at #1 after watching them dismantle Ohio State.
This week my earlier su####ions about the Pac 10's last great hope at credibility went down in flames. No matter how you slice that game, they were outplayed and dominated for every minute of the contest.
My su####ions about Florida's meeting with Ole Miss were fully realized, as were my barbs pointed at Georgia thus far in the season now justified. Illinois proved they are a good team, but Penn State proved they are truly the best in the Big 10.
The Big 12 had a bad week as Colorado and Nebraska lost to mediocre out of conference foes. Oklahoma shrugged off a Top 25 out of conference foe, launching OU to what I am assuming will be it's first #1 ranking in the AP and Coaches polls.
You can definitely tell Arkansas is missing Felix Jones now that he is with the Dallas Cowboys.
Well, if you saw my poll last week you know that my obvious choice for #1 is....
The University of Missouri football game at Nebraska on Oct. 4th has been chosen for a national cable telecast on ESPN, and will kickoff at 8 p.m. (central). The game will mark Mizzou's second appearance on ESPN already this season, adding to the season-opening 52-42 win over 20th-ranked Illinois on Aug. 30th, that was shown by the network.
If the game isn't where you find the Gameday Crew, I'll be putting my clowny foot up Herby's arse.
The Big 12 is now operating on its 12-day advance notification process for all future weekends, because let's face it, all eye's are on Mizzou and Oklahoma from here on out.
While I am concerned about OU taking on TCU this weekend, Mizzou has a rough schedule from here on out with trips to Lincoln, Austin and dates with an improved Big 12 North. The last thing the Big 12 needs is one of our elite to fall to a team from a lesser conference so the Sooners better be ready. All due respect to Kansas, but that loss to USF is embarrassing. But at this point, no one is invincible in college football anymore.
Which brings me back to the Tiger trip to Lincoln. Despite recent #### whoopings inflicted on the Cornhuskers, all of them occurred in Columbia. In fact, Mizzou has not won in Lincoln in decades.
That fact alone is reason for any gambler to avoid this game like the plague.
Stick to Florida State/Miami that weekend.
Added to the intrigue surrounding this game is an improved Corhusker defense showing signs of swagger under the leadership of first year coach, longtime Husker, Bo Pelini.
This week they get a nice warm up game with the Hokies coming to town. Honestly, I wish Mizzou had the Fighting Beamers coming into town instead of the boys watching the game on the couch.
The Tigers are 4-5 after bye weeks heading into conference play under Gary Pinkel.
The history behind this game is stacked against a Missouri win, but this is a Tiger squad that is re-writing that history since the historic #1 ranking a year ago.
Chase Daniel will be the shortest Heisman winner since Nebraska's Eric Crouch. The first in school history.
The first conference championship since 1969. The Dec. 6th Big 12 Championship Game will likely look like a Mizzou home game at Arrowhead. Coincidentally, it will be the Tigers second straight game at the stadium as they meet Kansas Nov. 29th. It will also be likely that those are the two best games played at the NFL stadium this year. Boy the Chiefs are BAAADD. Sorry, dad.
Sounds like a storybook year in the making for the Missouri Tigers.
The Nebraska game will also be the first time that a captive national audience will get to see Mizzou's defense since the Illinois game. This isn't the same defensive squad rusty from a summer break.
Defensive leader Weatherspoon was recently honored for his career day, as he led Mizzou with a career-high 20 tackles against Buffalo. Among those tackles included three tackles for a loss, including a sack, while also breaking up one pass. Mizzou had a nice defensive tune-up against Buffalo, as it allowed an opponent season-low 286 yards of offense to a Buffalo team that came into the game averaging 427 yards per game.
As the great T.O. likes to say, "Get your popcorn ready!"
I have been blogging here for so long, I forgot my old password and had to set up a new blog this year. BOO!
Anyway, my old space was at community.fox sports.com/bl ogs/brianblac k in case you think you've heard the trash talk before... It's the same this year as it was last year... Mizzou is #1!!!!!!! Go Cowboys! Go Rays!
www.myspace.c om/revbrianbl ack
