M-I-Z! Z-O-U!

[SackAttack]

Holy shit on a stick, Mizzou with 27 points in the 4th quarter to beat the hated 'Huskers.

Minnesota, the city of Omaha feels your pain. :D

[Axxon]

M-O-U-S-E!!

[the_meanstrosity]

Heheh on the Mouse, lol.

As a Kansas fan I was rooting for Missouri, but I never dreamed they would have actually won or even stayed in the game after the game in Lawrence. Kudos to Missouri.

I can already hear the phone lines in Nebraska overflowing with calls for Osborn to return, lol.

[SackAttack]

Yeah, it makes the Kansas loss even worse. If we'd beaten Kansas, we'd have an outside shot at the Big XII championship game, even if Oklahoma skunks us next week.

I'm not convinced that they will - we nearly beat 'em a year ago.

But even if they beat us this year...we'd have a real good shot at making it through Big XII play with just the one loss. Kansas State hasn't impressed me at all this year.

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

For starters, Missouri won't go through the Big 12 with just one loss, lol. Their defense is still not very good. The offense is solid when Brad Smith and Zach Abron are clicking, but Smith really misses Justin Gage. It's like Gary Pinkel stated, Gage was Smith's security blanket and Smith needs to learn how to play without him. It's going to take some time, but Smith will get there.

As for Oklahoma, I don't see Missouri keeping that game close. Though after seeing OU lose two years in a row to OSU, anything can happen. But I have to think Stoops will have that team focused on the Tigers.

The Big 12 north is certainly wide open. KSU and NU were my pre-season favorites for the North, but neither have been impressive. Though they are still better than KU, MU and CU. It's really anybody's game right now, but the odds are still on NU and KSU.

[SackAttack]

The only team on the remaining schedule that I'd give a real good shot of beating Missouri at this point would be OU, meanstrosity, and like I said, Mizzou nearly pulled the upset on 'em last year, and will be facing them on the euphoric high of beating Nebraska this year.

Kansas State hasn't impressed me at all, or I'd be chalking them up as another team with a 'real good shot' of knocking off Mizzou.

But as it stands, if Mizzou had beaten Kansas last week, and done what they did this week, I'd put money on them going through the Big XII with only one loss, and I'm normally not a betting man.

Academic now, though.

[sterlingice]

Like meanstrosity, I was pulling for you guys today. Doesn't happen much but when you play the purple power pussies, I'll be pulling for you again :D

SI

[SackAttack]

Yeah, well, I think we could use the support more against OU than KSU :D

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

Wow man, lol. You need to take those Tiger glasses off, lol. Don't forget Kansas, Illinois, and Middle Tennessee State, lol. Those teams are not great squads, but still managed to find success against Missouri.

I know you're excited about the game tonight, but Missouri is only in it's 3rd year of a rebuilding process. It takes times to rebuild a program. KSU and CU are both going to be tough...especially if you play them on the road. And don't forget MU still has to play Texas Tech and Texas A&M. If MU manages to do as you claim, then Pinkel would be Big 12 coach of the year right behind Stoops, lol. But I have a tough time seeing MU doing it. Until Missouri tightens that defense up they are going to be underdogs in those games I mentioned.

[SackAttack]

Look, I ain't sayin' Missouri is guaranteed to win those games. I know they're not.

I'm just sayin', from what I've seen of the teams on their schedule, the only game that flat out FRIGHTENS me is Oklahoma next week. Kansas State would, but as I said, they haven't been impressive this year.

The other teams? Nothing against them, certainly. They're quality squads. I simply feel good about Missouri's chances of beating those teams.

I'd feel BETTER about Missouri's chances had we beaten Kansas, but hey, you play the cards you're dealt.

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

You didn't see the Kansas game coming huh? I knew Kansas was going to lay 40 points on Missouri. I just expected Missouri to lay 41 points, lol. But put that one on Pinkel and his offensive coordinator's shoulders. They should have stuck with Zach Abron and they would have been able to stay in the game. Instead they tried to make Brad Smith throw short passes and KU went onto a route.

I still can't figure out why some Missouri fans don't see something wrong with their defense, lol. When Middle Tennessee State torches your defense...there is something wrong, lol.

As for KSU, CU, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M not worrying you...I'll keep you to that, lol. I have a feeling I'm going to be bumping this thread a few more times this college football season, lol.

[MizzouRah]

That was the greatest sporting event I have ever been to. Wow, I'm still pumped up. We rode down on a bus with some of the local radio station guys and had an absolute blast!

It was all football is supposed to be.... cold, wet, cheering, letdowns, rain, cheering, crazyness..... 68,000+ fans screaming.

Two tickets to the Nebraska - Missouri game: Free
A bus ride to the game with food and beer included: Free
A new Mizzou sweatshirt for 'blackout' night: $35

Running out onto the field with your dad after beating the #10 team in the nation (a 25 year drought I might add): Priceless



Todd

[dawgfan]

Mizzou fans, prepare yourselves - with the continuing problems at Washington there are going to be growing shouts from the masses to make a run at Gary Pinkel this offseason. I know he has an "out-clause" in his contract for Washington, though given how the rebuilding has progressed for the Tigers I don't know if he'd be willing to jump ship, but a growing number of Husky fans would like to give him the opportunity...

[panerd]

Originally posted by dawgfan
Mizzou fans, prepare yourselves - with the continuing problems at Washington there are going to be growing shouts from the masses to make a run at Gary Pinkel this offseason. I know he has an "out-clause" in his contract for Washington, though given how the rebuilding has progressed for the Tigers I don't know if he'd be willing to jump ship, but a growing number of Husky fans would like to give him the opportunity...

Didn't we hear this same nonsense about Quin wanting to leave and take over your basketball program? While Snyder had ties to Washington and the Pac-10 is a very powerful basketball conference, I have some bad news for you on this one. No football coach in their right mind is going to want to leave the start of something big in one of the top two football conferences in the country to go to the Pac-10. And while the Huskies may have more recent success in football, if Pinkel can wake this sleeping giant up over the next several years Mizzou will make sure (i.e. $$$) that Pinkel doesn't jump ship to another school.

[panerd]

Sackattack: My heart is with you 100% on this one, but you should be a little more realisitic in your projections. Your Mizzou schedule projections reak of black and gold biasness. Texas Tech is a top 25 school, A&M won't be easy, and we have both Colorado and K-State on the road. Fill me in on any road success the Tigers have had in football in the past 20 years. A win over OSU like 8 years ago? The one win thing is really over the top.

Meanstrosity: I hate to admit it, but you make my hatred on KU and it's fans weaken a little bit. You are always pretty unbiased and realize the limitations of both KU and MU football. But like I have said before I will cheer for KU against nobody. (Well, except maybe Notre Dame) You and K-State both losing is about the only positive outcome that can come out of your yearly showdown. But I do respect what Mangino has done with that team.

Mizzourah: I was also at the game, what a game! My buddies all charged the field to tear down the posts, but I decided I was going to take this one in from the stands. When Mizzou pulled off that fake field goal I asked my friend if something had happened to conservative Pinkel before the game and one of his assistants was calling the shots. It is agressiveness like that that we need to even dream of playing with OU next week. Let's hope he doesn't go back to the KU gameplan.

[MizzouRah]

Mizzourah: I was also at the game, what a game! My buddies all charged the field to tear down the posts, but I decided I was going to take this one in from the stands. When Mizzou pulled off that fake field goal I asked my friend if something had happened to conservative Pinkel before the game and one of his assistants was calling the shots. It is agressiveness like that that we need to even dream of playing with OU next week. Let's hope he doesn't go back to the KU gameplan.




That was one heck of a play, ballsy as well. I loved the throw back to Smith for the TD early in the game.

What was more impressive was down 24-14 and Nebraska seemingly taking over the game, the players hung in there and switched the momentum on some excellent playcalling and execution. I think Pinkel caught enough sheet from the Kansas game, although I don't think people realize how good Kansas has become (including me a few weeks ago).

A win vs Nebraska is definitly a start to something bigger!


Todd

[dawgfan]

Originally posted by panerd
Didn't we hear this same nonsense about Quin wanting to leave and take over your basketball program? While Snyder had ties to Washington and the Pac-10 is a very powerful basketball conference, I have some bad news for you on this one. No football coach in their right mind is going to want to leave the start of something big in one of the top two football conferences in the country to go to the Pac-10. And while the Huskies may have more recent success in football, if Pinkel can wake this sleeping giant up over the next several years Mizzou will make sure (i.e. $$$) that Pinkel doesn't jump ship to another school.

Yes, there were some deluded folks in this part of the country that thought they could wave a fat checkbook at Quin to convince him to come to Washingont. That was pipe-dreaming. However, there are major differences between the situations with Quin Snyder and Gary Pinkel; to wit:

- Quin Snyder's connections to the UW were basically nil; while he grew up in Mercer Island (suburb of Seattle) he snubbed the hometown school to play at Duke, and never had any formal ties to the Huskies;

- Gary Pinkel on the other hand spent 15 seasons at the UW coaching under his mentor Don James. He was a finalist for the job in '99 and reportedly has an out-clause in his Mizzou contract for the Huskies, a place he's described in the past as his "dream job";

- Washington Basketball does not have a history of sustained success. It has always played in the large shadow of the football program, and will require a lot of work to get it into the upper echelons of the Pac-10. Any booster that thought they could wave their checkbook at Snyder or Kelvin Sampson was delusional, as Barbara Hedges quickly found out when trying to replace Bob Bender; after striking out on Snyder, Mark Few of Gonzaga and Dan Monson of Minnesota, she had to settle for Lorenzo Romar;

- Washington Football on the other hand has over a quater-century of sustained success and a rich history second only to USC on the West Coast. It is among the top-5 schools in the country in revenue in football. Money would not be an issue with hiring a good football coach.

I fully acknowledge that Pinkel appears to be building a real winner with Mizzou, but he's still going to have his work cut-out for him reaching the top level of the Big-12 competing against Bob Stoops and Oklahoma and all the resources at Texas' command. He's an honorable man and a tough competitor, and even the lure of returning to Washington might not be enough to pry him from the Tigers. However, the possibility is much higher than you are willing to admit.

[the_meanstrosity]

Thanks Panerd. I have a lot of family members who are big Missouri fans plus some good friends, so I can actually talk about Missouri sports without seething hatred from the rivalry between our schools, lol.

I really like what Pinkel has done at Missouri for football. I still think his game day coaching is questionable, but it's nothing that can't be fixed. He's a tremendous recruiter though. I'm just amazed at how good a job he's done closing the borders. Larry Smith always wanted to do it, but Pinkel is actually pulling it off.

Plus I really respect Pinkel. I think he tells it like it is. And he's a man who doesn't tolerate idiocy from his players. I'd still love to hear what he told the MU players who jumped on the field goals last year in Columbia. I remember hearing him on the radio discussing the "consequences" and he did not sound happy. Gotta love a coach like that, lol.

I'm looking forward to the game in Columbia next year. I think MU will be favored, but hopefully it will be another big game as this year's was. It just makes for an amazing environment when two rivals are in a game that means so much.

And I can't end a MU post without talking about Norm Smith. I love that guy and miss him dearly in the Big 12. He and Tubby Smith were the Big 8 basketball in my mind. They just had the greatest soundbytes ever, lol.

[ice4277]

and the_meanstrosity has now set the record for most 'lol's in a thread

[JeeberD]

I'm always happy to see Nebraska lose... :)

[the_meanstrosity]

ice...gimme time man. I'll break it. I know I've got it in me.

[SackAttack]

Originally posted by panerd
Sackattack: My heart is with you 100% on this one, but you should be a little more realisitic in your projections. Your Mizzou schedule projections reak of black and gold biasness. Texas Tech is a top 25 school

That's funny, I don't see Tech in the top 25. They have a strong offense, certainly, and I give 'em credit for beating Mississippi, but I don't look at them and say "OK, we're probably not going to win that one" the way I do Oklahoma and the way I did Nebraska. We CAN beat Texas Tech. But then, I thought we SHOULD have beaten Kansas. We'll see if Pinkel keeps forcing the issue on offense, or if he goes back into his conservative shell. For what it's worth, Mizzou was a Top 25 team before the loss to Kansas.

A&M won't be easy, and we have both Colorado and K-State on the road. Fill me in on any road success the Tigers have had in football in the past 20 years. A win over OSU like 8 years ago? The one win thing is really over the top.

I give A&M credit for playing a strong non-conference schedule, at least on paper. There's no shame in losing to Virginia Tech, as they did, but they probably should have beaten Pittsburgh, which has lost to both Notre Dame and Toledo.

Look, I'm not calling either Tech or A&M a pushover or a guaranteed victory. Not by a long shot. All I'm saying is that I think our defense stands a much better chance of acquitting itself admirably against those teams as it has in at least 4 or 5 years, and having Smith and Abron both on offense has changed Mizzou's offensive outlook, especially when they're both firing on all cylinders. These are winnable games.

Colorado lost to Baylor (!) on the road and barely beat Kansas. At home, no less. They also barely edged a UCLA team that barely beat a putrid Illinois squad. And yes, I'm aware that Mizzou only beat Illinois by a touchdown, but I'd like to think that's thanks more to the conservative Pinkel than to the Pinkel we saw yesterday. :D The point I'm getting at is that Colorado has weaknesses too. They can put points on the board like nobody's business, but they've struggled with competition they should have had a reasonably easy time with. Home field will help them, but I also look at this as a 'winnable' game. Not in the bank, but winnable.

All I'm saying is that had we beaten Kansas, I don't think it's unreasonable to think that Missouri COULD have gone through the Big XII regular season with just one loss (assuming yesterday's result is still the same), and that to Oklahoma.

I'm not suggesting they WILL, because I know Oklahoma is a formidable squad, and as I said earlier in the thread, they flat out frighten me. I think we CAN hang with them - we did a year ago. But that depends entirely on, IMO, three things:

1) The ability of the defense to contain OU's WR threats.

2) Brad Smith's ability to stretch the Sooner defense with both his feet AND his arm - that is, no interceptions or other stupid turnovers

and 3) Pinkel's gameplan. If we see the same creativity on offense that we saw against the Huskers, Mizzou can make a game of this. If not, it's probably gonna be ugly.

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

You still never answered panerd's question. When has MU had the road success you believe they'll have this year?

I don't disagree that MU "could" win those games. But the defense would really have to improve. Let's be honest, MU faced a very one-dimensional attack from Nebraska. They are not going to get that against an Oklahoma or a Texas A&M. And if KU and Middle Tennessee State can move the ball at will against Missouri, just imagine what a team like Texas Tech could do.

Offensively, I was impressed by what MU did to the Nebraska defense. But I've never questioned MU's offense (other than the play calling).

[SackAttack]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Sack,

...

And if KU and Middle Tennessee State can move the ball at will against Missouri, just imagine what a team like Texas Tech could do.

Not much, apparently. :D

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

I knew I'd see you back this week and not after last week's loss to OU, lol.

Missouri played some solid defense today. They still gave up some points, but did enough to keep MU ahead all game. I kept my eye on the game when MU went up early because I knew Tech would claw their way back in it. And sure enough, Symons brought them back within 10. That's just a potent offense. But Missouri pulled away again.

I saw Symon's on the sideline working on his arm. Did he come back in the game or is he out? I started watching some of the Okey State and Texas A&M game and never checked back to see if Symon's returned. Their backup showed that it's certainly not just the system, lol.

[kcchief19]

Man, I was out of town the first time this thread hit. Sorry I missed it.

As for Missouri's lack of success on the road for 20 years, what has that got to do with the price of tea in China? Gary Pinkel is not Bob Stull and Brad Smith is not Jeff Handy. This is a new breed of cat. Of course, if you want history, how about the fact that MU has won four straight against OSU, including the last two in Stillwater. I expect MU to win both the CU and A&M games. On paper, MU is as good or better than both.

Missouri's defense has been suspect at times this year, but while they gave Symons a lot of meaningless yards, they continually shut them down and took the ball away when they need to. Missouri's offense put a whippin' on Tech and the defense held Tech to their second lowest total of the season. Those are the facts, and they are indisputable.

The KU and OU games were both the result of poor offensive game plans. Pinkel and/or his O-coordinator tried to win without exposing Smith to too much damage. The game plans for both outings was poor. Missouri is past moral victories, but they played OU tough for 50 minutes. They had one bad 10-minute stretch, but MU certainly didn't look as bad against OU as Texas did. KU was simply a disaster, but remember -- it was the first sellout in Lawrence in a decade.

To a large degree, MU has their fate in their own hands late in the season for the first time in a long time. KU will most certainly lose again, maybe 2 or 3 times. If Nebraska stumbles at Texas or against K-State and Missouri wins out, Missouri wins the North. K-State is the only team remaining on MU's schedule with a winning record.

[SackAttack]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Sack,

I knew I'd see you back this week and not after last week's loss to OU, lol.

Hey, I never said that OU was among the list of teams I thought we were likely to beat. Based on last year's results, I thought we COULD pull an upset on them. I knew it wasn't impossible. But I also wasn't, if you'll notice, beating my chest and saying "OU is toast! We're gonna kick their ass!" I know better than to assert that the #1 team in the nation - and for good reason - is Tiger food.

That said, if you go back and look at my original post, what was it that I said after we beat Nebraska? I said IF we HAD beat Kansas, we'd have an outside shot at the Big XII title game. I said I thought we might have a chance at beating OU, but that game was always in the 'probable loss' column for me. Whenever I referred to Missouri finishing the year with one loss, it was never an assertion that we would beat OU and run the table from here on out, but rather a hypothetical "Given the current circumstances, and a win rather than a loss against KU...how might our season have turned out?" My answer to that was a chance at a Big XII championship.

We lost to Kansas, obviously, and we lost to OU, which naturally dims the prospects somewhat, but we put a hurtin' on Tech. I didn't expect Brad Smith to go woodshed on them the way he did today, but I also don't put Tech in remotely the same class as an OU. I think, as far as the rest of our schedule goes, the team to watch is K-State. If they play the way they SHOULD, that's probably a third loss for us, and the end of our Big XII championship game aspirations. For an example of SHOULD, take a look at their 42-6 dismantling of Kansas this week. If they play the way they HAVE, which is to say, well against the creampuffs, and poorly against class competition (Marshall, Texas, and OSU come to mind), then we might be looking at another matter entirely.

As kcchief pointed out, it's still conceivable that we could go to the Big XII title game. It depends pretty much entirely on which Colorado team shows up in two weeks - the one that gave OU a scare this week, or the one that surrendered 141 points in a three game span against Baylor, Kansas, and Kansas State. There's no shame in giving up 49 to K-State when K-State is on their game. Giving up 47 to Kansas is pretty bad, though, and 42 to Baylor is downright incredulous. Like Tech, they have a formidable offense when the pieces click. I just don't think their defense can handle Abron and Smith. I'd tend to expect a shootout along the lines of CU/KU, with Missouri coming out on top.

Missouri played some solid defense today. They still gave up some points, but did enough to keep MU ahead all game. I kept my eye on the game when MU went up early because I knew Tech would claw their way back in it. And sure enough, Symons brought them back within 10. That's just a potent offense. But Missouri pulled away again.

Right, which is why Missouri beat Tech, and lost to OU. OU's got the quick defense necessary to contain Smith, and they have more offensive weapons than they've had at any time in the last three years. I thought it was a game we could win, if Smith put up the kind of numbers this year that he did last year. OU got after him, sacked him 5 times, picked him once, and got a key TD on special teams, and that was the ballgame. That's why they're #1 in the nation.

That said, I don't think there's a team remaining on Missouri's schedule that can contain Smith. Their best shot - and this is particularly true for Colorado and K-State - is going to be to match them point for point and hope for a key defensive stop or two.

I saw Symon's on the sideline working on his arm. Did he come back in the game or is he out? I started watching some of the Okey State and Texas A&M game and never checked back to see if Symon's returned. Their backup showed that it's certainly not just the system, lol.

Symon went 40-62 for 407 yards, 4 TDs, and 3 INTs. He had a TD pass in the 4th quarter to get Tech back within 10 points, but Smith scored 3 touchdowns after that to put the game away. The backup wasn't in for much more than one drive, maybe two, as far as I could tell.

[the_meanstrosity]

kcchief,

Pinkel has had his share of road woes as well. So it certainly is a valid question. Heck, ask any Big 12 coach and they will tell you that winning on the road in the Big 12 is HUGE. There are not many Big 12 teams that have proven they can win on the road.

Missouri's defense is starting to play much better. It's a much improved defense than the one I saw against Kansas and Illinois. This defense would not give up 40 points to Middle Tennessee State as occurred earlier in the season.

As for "protecting" Brad Smith, you've got it wrong. I was at the KU - MU game and they did nothing to "protect" Smith. In fact, they made him the focal point of their offense. And that...was a big mistake because Zach Abron was shredding KU's defense. No, the Missouri staff's problem in the KU game was that they tried to put it all on Brad's shoulders. And that didn't work because Brad Smith could not hit his open WR's on short routes. I saw more than a couple of balls get one hopped to WR's who weren't even 10 yards downfield.

Don't discount Colorado. Missouri plays them at Boulder this season and they've got some talent. It's young talent, but talent none the less. To be honest, I would not be surprised to see Missouri win. Barnett's Buffs have a tendency to get hit by penalties. I know against Kansas they kept numerous drives alive by either off-sides penalties or personal fouls.

Kansas will be lucky to win one more game this season. With QB Bill Whittemore out for the season, it looks more and more likely that KU will be playing a freshman QB in order to "prepare" for life after Whittemore. Iowa State is the only winnable game left on their schedule and even that is a stretch without Whittemore.

KSU is still the favorite to win the Big 12 north. The only game they won't be favored in is at Lincoln. They get Missouri at home and Iowa State on the road. Those should be winnable games for KSU.

SACKATTACK,

You did say you thought Missouri could upset OU though. And then took the week off after the loss, lol.

Agree on the Colorado analysis. They are an explosive team that has a tendency to shoot themselves in the foot. I can see that as a winnable game for Missouri.

You are changing your tune about KSU though. Remember you stated KSU didn't scare you and you weren't chalking that up a as a loss for Missouri because they didn't impress you. I think you are finally coming to your senses, lol. KSU is going to be a TOUGH test for Missouri. They have got the speed to shut Brad Smith down. If Pinkel wants to win that game, he's going to have to get Smith to throw some accurate passes. KSU's weakness on their defense is the secondary. If MU can exploit KSU's secondary, I could see Missouri coming away with an upset.

You don't think KSU has the speed to contain Smith? I think you'll be surprised how much team speed KSU still has in their linebacking corps. And if you watched the KSU - MU game last season, you'll know that they used the ends and linebackers to keep Smith in. KSU has the defense to contain Smith. What they don't have is the speed to contain the MU wide receivers.

I asked about Symons because I noticed his backup had 10 passing attempts. I was wondering if Symons was going to be back for their next game or not.

[SackAttack]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
SACKATTACK,

You did say you thought Missouri could upset OU though. And then took the week off after the loss, lol.

"Could" isn't the same as "will." Second of all, Oklahoma didn't pull away until they found a way to contain Brad Smith. Once they started consistently getting to him, they stifled Missouri's attack and managed to pull away. I still maintain that if Smith had repeated last year's performance, the MU/OU game this year is, at worst, a close loss for Missouri. That said, I don't consider it relevant that I "took a week off" following that game.

Had Tech beat us, or heck, if KSU beats us, and you don't hear from me, you might have something to go on.

Agree on the Colorado analysis. They are an explosive team that has a tendency to shoot themselves in the foot. I can see that as a winnable game for Missouri.

Winnable for either side. Smith is the wild card. He has a good day, Missouri wins. He doesn't, CU could take it. He's had mostly good days this year, OU notwithstanding.

You are changing your tune about KSU though. Remember you stated KSU didn't scare you and you weren't chalking that up a as a loss for Missouri because they didn't impress you. I think you are finally coming to your senses, lol. KSU is going to be a TOUGH test for Missouri. They have got the speed to shut Brad Smith down. If Pinkel wants to win that game, he's going to have to get Smith to throw some accurate passes. KSU's weakness on their defense is the secondary. If MU can exploit KSU's secondary, I could see Missouri coming away with an upset.

I've changed nothing. KSU still doesn't scare me. All I stated is the difference between 'have' and 'should.' If KSU plays as they have, Missouri oughta win that game. If KSU plays the way they SHOULD, then they're up there on a level with OU and Texas. So far, they haven't really played the way they should. I don't think they will - I hold to what I've said. I don't consider that a potential loss.

You don't think KSU has the speed to contain Smith? I think you'll be surprised how much team speed KSU still has in their linebacking corps. And if you watched the KSU - MU game last season, you'll know that they used the ends and linebackers to keep Smith in. KSU has the defense to contain Smith. What they don't have is the speed to contain the MU wide receivers.

Between Abron, Smith, and the MU receivers, KSU's gonna have a tough day. You can't effectively cover all three all day long. At some point, something has to give.

Josh

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

I don't think Smith is the key vs Colorado. I believe it's Abron. If he's successful in gaining yards, Brad Smith becomes dangerous. MU has one of the top offensive lines in the Big 12 and Abron is possibly one of the best backs in the Big 12 when used. If Abron has a big day in Boulder...MU has a shot.

KSU did not play poorly against Texas or OSU. Those two squads are quality top 25 programs. I'm not certain why you think KSU played poorly in those games. The Marshall game...yes. But other than the Marshall game, KSU has played well this season. Their defense is not like it has been in years past, but it's still one of the stronger defenses in the Big 12.

Let's not forget what KSU did to Missouri last season in Columbia. A 38-0 win in Columbia where Brad Smith, Justin Gage, and Abron looked down right horrid. Missouri's offense is not as dangerous as it was last year without Gage in the lineup. And KSU's defense is down without Newman, Pierce, and Reese in the lineup. But KSU's defense has shown the ability to stop a running game. And that's why Brad Smith needs to show he can throw the ball when they visit KSU.

KSU didn't have problems with a stronger MU offense last season...what makes you think they'll have a "tough day" this season. Brad Smith needs to show he can pass the ball. If he can get over 200 yards passing, Missouri has a good chance to stay in this game. If not, it could be a route in KSU land.

[SackAttack]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Sack,

I don't think Smith is the key vs Colorado. I believe it's Abron. If he's successful in gaining yards, Brad Smith becomes dangerous. MU has one of the top offensive lines in the Big 12 and Abron is possibly one of the best backs in the Big 12 when used. If Abron has a big day in Boulder...MU has a shot.

I think, as it turned out, we were both right here. Smith ended up being the key to the game - two fumbles, two interceptions, and a 21-16 Colorado victory.

Abron didn't do much - perhaps if he had, the Tigers overcome Smith's rough day and win 23-21, or something along those lines. But as dangerous as Smith is with his feet, he's just as dangerous with his arm - to *both* sides. He's still not quite where he needs to be in terms of good decision-making skills, IMO. He has his brilliant days, and then he has his days like today (and, I'd argue, like last year's OU game) where his talent is enough to keep it close, but his poor decisions ultimately become too much for him to overcome.

Oh well. We're still likely headed to a bowl, although it would have been that much sweeter had we been to (or even won) the Big XII championship game. That's what next year is for, though, right?

At any rate, I can take solace in the fact that even though Kansas beat us, we beat Nebraska...and they didn't. :D

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

I told you man. Winning in the Big 12 on the road isn't easy. And Missouri hasn't shown the ability to do so. Next year, Missouri has a shot though.

As for Smith, he's a capable runner, but he needs to work on his passing. With some better receivers and work in the off-season, perhaps Smith can turn into a solid Big 12 passer.

As for Kansas, they are still rebuilding. It's going to take a few years to fix what Terry Allen destroyed.

And Sack, it's ok to say I was right and you were wrong. :D

[MizzouRah]

Yeah, we miss Gage!


:)


Oh well, still a great season, imo.


Todd

[the_meanstrosity]

Mizz,

I agree. Gage is a beast. Pinkel talked about it last season that Gage was the "security blanket" for Smith. If Brad ever got in trouble, he could just throw it to Gage and he would make a big play for him.

Next year could be the year Missouri makes a run. KSU and NU both have to replace QB's. Colorado is not a good football team on the road. It could be an interesting year for Missouri next season.

[SackAttack]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Sack,

I told you man. Winning in the Big 12 on the road isn't easy. And Missouri hasn't shown the ability to do so. Next year, Missouri has a shot though.

Never said it was a sure thing. The Yankees can attest to that.

Doesn't mean hope and confidence should fall by the wayside.

As for Smith, he's a capable runner, but he needs to work on his passing. With some better receivers and work in the off-season, perhaps Smith can turn into a solid Big 12 passer.

and that's *exactly* why I called him, and not Abron, the wild card. Some days he passes well, and some days he has a tough time hanging onto the football. Today wasn't a good day for him.

As for Kansas, they are still rebuilding. It's going to take a few years to fix what Terry Allen destroyed.

're'building? :D

And Sack, it's ok to say I was right and you were wrong. :D

And I would, if it were true. :D

[MizzouRah]

Yep, always next year! ;)

I hope we're not saying this about the basketball team....



Todd

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

Come on Sack. You stated:

"All I'm saying is that had we beaten Kansas, I don't think it's unreasonable to think that Missouri COULD have gone through the Big XII regular season with just one loss (assuming yesterday's result is still the same), and that to Oklahoma."

I'm all for being an optimist, but there's a limit. Missouri's a good football team, but road wins are not easy to come by in the Big 12. And as I've stated over and over, Missouri thus far hasn't shown an ability to win on the road. That's why I think the game in Manhattan will probably end up as another L.

As for the "wild card", Colorado did what they had to do...stopped Abron (15 carries for 43 yards). Smith ran for 100 yards and passed for 278. That's 378 total yards. Those aren't bad numbers. They forced Missouri to pass the ball which is not something Brad Smith and the Missouri WR's are good at. I know you expected Smith to pull another game out similar to Tech, but that's not going to happen every game, lol. Smith had a solid game, but Colorado shut Abron down.

Let's not forget that Glen Mason had some pretty good football teams at Kansas. Four years of Terry Allen essentially destroyed that, but that's a whole other story. The Big 12 north is in a bit of a down swing for the next two years and it's a perfect time for two schools like Kansas and Missouri to make a move up.

Ha, but I was right Sack. You thought Missouri could go unbeaten, lol. Road games in the Big 12...they are tough and will only get tougher as the Big 12 balances out.

[the_meanstrosity]

Mizz,

Yeah, you don't want to be saying that for next year's basketball team, lol. Have you heard any inklings regarding the investigation? Things have been pretty quiet lately. The early reports predicted a finished investigation by December. So we'll probably be hearing something soon. I don't like this "quiet".

[SackAttack]

mean, I'm not gonna argue with you anymore, because you're clearly misconstruing the word 'COULD'.

Josh

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

Come on man! You were wrong, I was right. = P

You've got to admit though...looking back at yourself, you stank of homerism, lol. I've got to keep you in check.

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Mizz,

Yeah, you don't want to be saying that for next year's basketball team, lol. Have you heard any inklings regarding the investigation? Things have been pretty quiet lately. The early reports predicted a finished investigation by December. So we'll probably be hearing something soon. I don't like this "quiet".

Frankly, I can't stand what's going on with Mizzou's hoops program. They're getting hung out to dry for stuff most programs do (i.e. a problem player's questionable trial getting covered up a little, gifts of like $50) because some a-hole for the Post Dispatch has an axe to grind. And this is coming from a KU student...

SI

[the_meanstrosity]

Sterling,

You have to put some blame on Quin though. He hasn't helped himself with the "well I didn't know" answer. Plus Quin and his staff haven't done a good job of working with the university staff. He is shooting himself in the foot if he makes enemies of the internal staff at Missouri.

[SackAttack]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Sack,

Come on man! You were wrong, I was right. = P

You've got to admit though...looking back at yourself, you stank of homerism, lol. I've got to keep you in check.

Or I could always filter you. I've never met somebody who so obstinately insisted on reading what he wanted to read into what was said, even if what was said never set even the PINKY toe into 'definite' ground, but rather indulged instead in 'what if' speculation.

Or, long story short, bite me, Chickenhawk.

[the_meanstrosity]

Sack,

Haha. Spoken like a true fan. It's amazing how some fans can't get past the homerism. Sad to say, I know plenty of Kansas and Missouri fans that are the same way.

Either way, I called it. Big 12 road games are tough to win. I'm a fairly objective fan. I've got family and friends from almost every single Big 12 school (Texas Tech being the lone school). I just find it humorous when fans get too caught up in the homerism to see just how good the "other" Big 12 schools are. I guess being a homer is better than being a pessimist. Maybe.

[TroyF]

I don't care who is wrong or right with your debate. I'm pissed too.

I wanted you to come into Boulder and smack CU by 50.

The ONE time I cheer for your program to pound CU and you can't do it. Not only do you fail, you turn the ball over four times. If you were going to lose, the score needed to be 56-49.

16 points? 4 turnovers? What the hell are you trying to do here? I've dreamed of the day Vince Okruh would be fired. After forcing 13 turnovers in three weeks, that isn't going to happen now. How dare you. . .

TroyF

[the_meanstrosity]

Troy,

LOL. Barnett really needs to do something about that defense. Maybe it's me, but it seems like Colorado is almost always one of the most penalized teams in the Big 12. Whether it's offsides, pass interference, or personal fouls, CU just shoots themselves in the foot. I'm just amazed that he's still defensive coordinator there.

[MizzouRah]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Mizz,

Yeah, you don't want to be saying that for next year's basketball team, lol. Have you heard any inklings regarding the investigation? Things have been pretty quiet lately. The early reports predicted a finished investigation by December. So we'll probably be hearing something soon. I don't like this "quiet".


Nothing, really... which makes me kind of nervous!


Todd

[the_meanstrosity]

Mizz,

That could be good news to be honest. A few weeks ago, I kept hearing "leaks" saying Missouri was going to get hit and an announcment was going to be made. But nothing came of it.

I have no doubt the NCAA has found something, but will it warrant more than a slap on the wrist? I don't think so.

[MizzouRah]

Originally posted by the_meanstrosity
Mizz,

That could be good news to be honest. A few weeks ago, I kept hearing "leaks" saying Missouri was going to get hit and an announcment was going to be made. But nothing came of it.

I have no doubt the NCAA has found something, but will it warrant more than a slap on the wrist? I don't think so.


That would be great, indeed.



Todd