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.

 

A September to Remember...

September has it all. Big Time Matchups. Non-conference, early season games that will make or break a National Title run.

On paper, 2008 has some of the best scheduled non-conference games in years!

Enthralled by the political Super Bowl coverage this week, the kickoff snuck up on me despite my excitement for the start of the 2008 College Football Season. Voting yesterday in the Florida Primary didn't help. The Rays and my obsession with seeing games at the Trop this season has also taken sooo much of my attention. And work.

Geez, let's talk football already.

Perhaps the most surprising (to me anyway) non-conference schedule goes to Baylor University of the Big 12. Baylor starts the season Aug. 30 against ACC foe Wake Forest. A couple of weeks later, Pac 10 team Washington State comes to town on Sept 13.

Although it probably didn't look all that intimidating when originally scheduled, the Bears then venture to the Northeast to meet Big East upstart UConn. I am convinced that Baylor may go through 2008 without winning a single game.

Of course, since no one outside those programs will be watching those games we'll move on to the matchup we thought we would see this bowl season...

           VS.           

Sept. 13 Ohio State at Southern California

This has all the makings of a great game, but so we thought with the USC/Nebraska matchup at the beginning of the 2007 season. I'm holding out hope that this one will live up to the expectations... ehhh USC 44 OSU 17

                      VS.                

Aug. 30 Hawaii at Florida

This might have been a better game LAST year. Brennan will be long gone, as will any hope of Hawaii running the table next year. Still, kudos to Hawaii for stepping up to the SEC. Florida has scheduled the most impressive non-conference games of all SEC title hopefuls with Miami and Florida State also on tap. Florida 55 Hawaii 13

                  VS.               

Aug. 30 Missouri vs. Illinois

These recruiting rivals have long fought over St. Louis prospects, now Mizzou will have an added incentive to beat the Illini yet again... Both have BCS expectations swirling around campus. Mizzou would also like to punish one of two BCS bowl teams beaten by Mizzou last year... this is one of very few true tests this year for Mizzou. If the Tigers are to make a run, it all starts this weekend. You know who I am picking.

Sept. 6 Auburn at West Virginia

Finally, West Virginia steps up and plays someone outside their comfort zone. The Mountaineers play SEC schizo Auburn. Which Auburn team will show up?  Kudos to West Virginia for scheduling both SEC and Big 12 schools in the same year. Auburn 24 WVU 10

Sept. 13 Texas vs. Arkansas

There is something about this game that always brings out the best in both teams. Although they are in different conferences these teams remain rivals, plus this is one of many games that will test the perennial overrated Longhorns in 2008.  UT 34 Arkansas 31 

Sept. 13 Nebraska vs. VA Tech

This could be the game that signals the return of the Blackshirts... ok, ok, stop laughing. VA Tech 31 Nebraska 7

Sept. 20 Arizona State vs. Georgia

This is one of the most intriguing non-conference matups of the year. Is Arizona State poised to make a legitimate run next year at the Pac 10? Is Georgia ready to beat Florida AND LSU in the same year and win the SEC? Which team is ready to make a run for the BCS title? This is going to be good... or is it... Does ASU really have a chance? Georgia 28 ASU 27

Sept. 13 Kansas at South Florida

This could be the best game of the weekend. I repeat, this could be the best game of the weekend. The same weekend that features OSU/USC, Texas/Arkansas, and Miami/Texas A&M. Intriguing, with conference title hopes for each team already being thrown around in Tampa and Lawrence. As much as I HATE the Jayhawks, something tells me I may be glad to live in Tampa Bay and get to see this one in person. USF 33 KU 31

Other notables and Gameplan viewing...

Aug. 30

Kentucky at Louisville

Oklahoma State at Washington State

Cal vs. Michigan State

Sept. 6

Florida vs. Miami

Oklahoma vs. Cincinatti

Kansas State vs. Fresno State

Sept. 13

Texas A&M vs. Miami

Cal at Maryland

Sept. 15

Iowa at Iowa State

Sept. 20

Kansas State at Louisville

Colorado at Florida State

Oklahoma at Washington

Oregon at Purdue