I am so busy this year, but I did so well with my picks last year I had better get going this year since I am going to be doing them on the air. Now living in Tennessee and away from the crazy Florida fans I am tempted to pick Tennessee. Tempted, not stupid.

(8)California 47 at Minnesota 10

(11)Ohio State 45 at Toledo 31

Duke 7 at (22) Kansas 54

East Carolina 17 at (24)North Carolina 27

Eastern Michigan 3 at (25)Michigan 38

Louisville 28 at Kentucky 31

Boston College 24 at Clemson 17

North Texas 10 at (4)Alabama 63

Furman 10 at Missouri 48

Tennessee 7 at (1)Florida 55

(3)USC 24 at Washington 27

Tulsa 14 at (12)Oklahoma 31

(19)Nebraska 30 at (13)Virginia Tech 24

(18)Utah 34 at Oregon 17

Wyoming 24 at Colorado 15

Michigan State 21 at Notre Dame 42

Arizona 28 at Iowa 14

(17)Cincinnati 41 at Oregon State 31

Florida State 14 at (7)Brigham Young 35

West Virginia 21 at Auburn 41

Texas Tech 35 at (2)Texas 55

Kansas State 23 at UCLA 20

1. Florida

2. Texas

3. Alabama

4. BYU

5. USC

6. Missouri

7. Boise State

8. Penn State

9. Mississippi

10. Cincinnati

11. Nebraska

12. California

13. Miami (FL)

14. Oklahoma State

15. TCU

16. Oklahoma

17. Utah

18. LSU

19. Georgia

20. Kansas

21. South Florida

22. Pittsburgh

23. North Carolina

24. Michigan

25. Texas Tech

Of course, every year I have to show love to the Mizzou Tigers long before the so-called pollsters get their **** together. This year is no different, and of course I waited through the first weekend to see which teams really should be ranked where they are. Sure the Homer Poll has some big differences, but that's what it is all about as those of you that have seen them the last five years already know.

1. Florida

2. Texas

3. Alabama

4. Oklahoma State

5. Missouri

6. USC

7. BYU

8. Notre Dame

9. Penn State

10. Mississippi

11. Nebraska

12. California

13. Boise State

14. Georgia Tech

15. Virginia Tech

16. Oklahoma

17. Utah

18. LSU

19. Georgia

20. Miami (FL)

21. South Florida

22. Pittsburgh

23. North Carolina

24. TCU

25. Texas Tech

Let me get this straight, experts...

You assumed that Gary Pinkel just decided to rest for the last few years during the off season and NOT do any recruiting??

Kansas is better than Mizzou despite the Tigers claiming the North Title two years running??

Better rewrite those columns you shmucks.

Illinois was a supposed sleeper to win the Big 10 and Mizzou destroyed the Illini with new QB Blaine Gabbert. 313 passing yards, 3 passing TD's, plus another rushing... hmmmmm.

Maybe Mizzou did do some recruiting the last few years while being ranked in the Top 10 and contending for the Big 12 Title. HMMMMMM.

Missouri has won 11 straight non-conference games, the longest streak in school history. In addition, with a school-record 12 wins in 2007 and 10 more wins in 2008, the Tigers now have a two-year win total of 22 and are tied for 3rd-most in the nation during that time period. Tied with who??? Florida and Texas. Plus Boise State and Utah, but those teams can plug away at credibility on their own time.

Sure we lost six players to the NFL draft, the most of any Big 12 school, including Maclin, Daniel, and Coffman and have some big shoes to fill.

However, with Gabbert playing his way to the top of the Big 12 this year with the aid of outstanding receiver Danario Alexander and an improved defense under the leadership of Sean Weatherspoon I predict the Tigers will be playing in the Big 12 Title game for the third consecutive year.

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.

I'm not one of those fans.