Big 12

The conference expansion talk of college sports has really become a bur in my saddle; and my beloved Mizzou seems to be front and center in the wanna-be-drama. We are like one of the five virgins who ran out of oil, luckily we have been thrown a life line and will still survive in a slimmed down Big 12 conference. As my post from last fall put it, the leadership at Mizzou and the governor of Missouri had no business talking (or failing to squall the talk) about Mizzou switching to the Big 10. Writing this down just feels good, it's like therapy, so I am going to keep going. Thanks to our leadership, we are the married woman who went to the bar with the mini skirt on and the cleavage showing. But the gentleman at the bar left and went home to our family and married one of our sisters while we were away. And now all we have to show for it is clothes that smell like cigarettes and an ATM card that was maxed out from buying shots all night long (our buyout money goes to the already fat wallet South).

As Joe Walljasper from the Columbia Daily Tribune puts it "Clearly, this is confusing..........In six months, the idea of Missouri leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten went from possibility to probability to certainty to oops. "..................."That won’t help Missouri’s new image, perhaps best summed up by cantankerous Oklahoma State sugar daddy T. Boone Pickens: 'I want them to shut up about trying to figure out someplace to go.'"

Thank you Mr. Pickens, I hope our leadership is listening.
Of course, the past is the past and things have a way of being forgotten. Now the Big 12 will be down to 11 and 10 in the next few years. The basketball Big 12 is actually now stronger. All teams will play on each other's home court and have we arguably lost the two worst teams. There is no denying that Big 12 football without Nebraska is at a loss a little, but the championship game is gone which most are in favor of.
There are two things that I think Mizzou is capable of and should do in the final year all members of the Big 12 are present: Win the conference football and basketball championship. What you say?? Not possible? Well, basketball is probably more likely, perhaps even probable odds-wise, but how about the football team come out and beat expectations. We arguably have the best QB in the league coming back. Maybe we can run it a little in the first half so we can open up the lanes a little. We'll see. M--I--Z

Mizzou's close call with Bowling Green

What is it that makes a good football game? Is it when your favorite team pounds the other and the game is essentially over mid way thru the 2nd quarter? Is it when both teams play their best? What about when your team comes from behind... especially against a superiorly talented team. Well, Mizzou did come from behind last night and no disrespect to Bowling Green (they are a good football team and will probably have a winning record), but the home opener should have been a little easier than that.

The Mizzou offense played a great second half but they need to get things going a little better or they will run into trouble. I suppose the experience of coming from behind will be good for Gabbert and the rest of the young offense, in the long run. It was a thriller listening to it on the radio last night. I think all along you sensed the Tigers knew they were going to win, it just had to wait for that "Joe Montana" timing.

Derrick Washington rushed for over 120 yards and one touchdown. This balanced running attack really helped get the whole offense going in the second half. Mizzou's defense played pretty well the whole game, but they needed to get that turnover earlier in the game. It will be exciting the see this defense develop over the season.

Nebraska seems to be looking like the days of old. They are not just beating folks, they are blowing them out. Twelve points allowed over two games by the defense. If Nebraska can win at V-Tech this next week (and Mizzou gets a couple needed wins) the nationally televised Thursday night matchup on October 8th will be exciting. Probably putting the winner in the drivers seat to win the North. Of course there are some Jayhawk fans who might have something to say about that!