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Can the Tigers run the table?
Posted Sunday, October 21, 2007, at 7:06 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
Mizzou number 13 in the latest BCS standings
That’s more like it, isn’t it? After a fourth quarter meltdown in Norman, Oklahoma last weekend, the Missouri Tigers routed Texas Tech 41-10 on Saturday afternoon. The last two games at Faurot Field, against (at the time) ranked Big 12 opponents, Missouri has outscored the opposition 82-16. At 6-1 on the season, the Tigers are now the number 13 ranked team in the country (pdf). And as the Kansas City Star points out, Mizzou should be favored to win every game leading up to the matchup against undefeated Kansas (number 9 in the BCS) in late November. Given all the upsets in college football this year, I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse. Regardless of whether or not this team goes on to win the Big 12 North, it could and probably should win ten games this year. Consider how the schedule plays out. Mizzou has Iowa State and Texas A&M left at home. If the Tigers win both those contests and can pull off a victory in just one of three contests against Colorado, Kansas State and Kansas, that’s a 9-3 regular season. A bowl game victory gets you to 10. If the Tigers could somehow run the table and add a Big 12 championship game to the schedule, they’re in range of a dozen victory season. That’s elite territory. Others are looking ahead, as well. Jason Whitlock gushes that “Gary Pinkel’s Missouri Tigers are pretty damn good, top-10 good, BCS-bowl good.” Most impressive about Saturday’s victory was how the Tigers did it -- with their defense and their running game. There’s a Southeast Missouri connection on both sides of the ball.. Caruthersville’s Jimmy Jackson scored three touchdowns among his 12 carries. He finished the day with 59 yards. Hayti’s William Moore sacked Tech quarterback Graham Harrell on a third-down blitz. He ended the day with two tackles and six assists. Until Saturday, Texas Tech hadn’t scored less than 35 points in a game all season. A strong defense and a solid running game (even without starter Tony Temple) casts this Missouri team in a new light -- one that could shine all the way to San Antonio on December 1. Sure, a lot could happen between now and then but the Tigers control their own destiny. Beating Kansas in Kansas City and then a rematch with Oklahoma on a neutral field are two games I would pay to see.
Postscript I realize the media are selective in their postgame quotes so maybe I missed it, but Tech coach Mike Leach didn’t seem to give Missouri much credit during his halftime interview on ABC or during his comments after the game. "I don't think we executed very well,'' Leach is quoted in the Lubbock paper. "We played like a coalition of banana-republic type deal. This little group, that little group might play for a period for time. We never really played together. We had some opportunities, which we didn't capitalize on.'' Here’s what Missouri coach Gary Pinkel had to say about his opponent. “If you’re a coach on the sideline,” Pinkel said, “you’re scared to death of that team” Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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I love the Tigers, but think its doubtful that we run the table. Going to Boulder and Manhatten will be very tough. I think we lose one of those and end up with 2 loses and in the Big 12 title game. I think Kansas is overrated. We match up well with them since they are lacking in the speed department.
You also forgot about William Moore. He is another Hayti product that had a interception and a sack
To me, the most impressive aspect of Saturday's game with Tech was the way Mizzou answered after the long Tech pass for a touchdown. The Tigers went about 60 yards in 4 plays in a minute and a half.
To borrow from the Rutgers,
TIGERS KEEP CHOPPING!
That BCS you speak of is once again off the reservation!
Bare with me, some quick stats on how the Top 13 shake out. The Ohio State has not played a Team better than 24th, their only top 25 win. Let's look at the rest of their victories, Akron-Rank-97th, Washington-Rank-78th, Northwestern-Rank-63rd, Minnesota-Rank-102, Purdue-Rank-24th, Kent State-Rank-85th, Michigan State-Rank 43rd-won by 7.
There are only 5 Top 13 Teams with 2 Top 25 wins, Missouri being 1 of the 5.
The Bayou Bengals (LSU) have 4 solid wins against Top 25 Schools, Many from the SEC, In my World they are undoubtedly your BCS #1. Geaux Tigers!
The other big ????? is Arizona State ranked #4 by the BCS, they have played worst teams than The Ohio State, they have yet to play a Top 25 team. Their victories over none ranked schools have not been that impressive, they also lost there starting RB.
Finally Kansas, as a Missouri fan this stings a little, sure they have impressive wins against who, there in state rival Kansas State, who teeters around 30th in the rankings, strike up the band, Kansas is horribly over rated.
Missouri Keep Chopping!!!Keep our sights set on San Antonio and who knows maybe beignets and crawfish the first week in January!
Hayti's Charles Gaines is a second-team DT for Mizzou. He was in on a couple of tackles Saturday and has made some nice plays in other games. The 300+ pounder can move. He's a senior but will petition the NCCA after the season for an additional year of eligibility.