Whitlock: Missouri is a national-title contender - Page 4

|Zach| · 10-20-2007, 10:00 PM

COLUMBIA | The Big 12’s best football team, the one-loss BCS squad with the best defeat, played its best ball in several decades on Saturday and issued a strong message that it wants to be in the who’s-the-nation’s-best debate.

If you don’t know, now you know: Gary Pinkel’s Missouri Tigers are pretty damn good, top-10 good, BCS-bowl good.

Just ask Mike Leach and his 22nd-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Tigers stomped Tech 41-10 at Faurot Field in a game that was absolutely as one-sided as the final score indicates.

Anyone worried the Tigers might be hung over from their disappointing, giveaway loss to the Oklahoma Sooners last weekend had their concerns alleviated early on Saturday. Missouri’s defense, an outfit scheduled for a stern test against a Tech offense that came in averaging 50 points, opened the scoring by picking off a Graham Harrell pass and dashing 38 yards for six points on Tech’s first possession.

The romp was on.

And when it was over, after the Tigers’ D had produced four interceptions and its normally-pass-happy O had grinded out 212 rushing yards, I began to ponder the real possibility that the Tigers are national-title contenders — at least until further notice.

Seriously, why not the Tigers?

No one doubts their offense. Chase Daniel and Mizzou’s receivers can move the football on any team in the country. The Tigers, even with Tony Temple sidelined, are starting to demonstrate a running game. Jeremy Maclin gives the Tigers a special-teams playmaker.

Nope. The questions about Mizzou centered on the defense. Could the Tigers stop a legitimate offense? Well, Leach and the Red Raiders know how to score points. On Saturday, they pretty much refused to punt the football, going for it seven times on fourth down.

Missouri never buckled. They harassed Harrell, sacking him three times, forcing him into several terrible throws. The Tigers punished Tech’s receivers. They eliminated Tech’s running game, holding the Red Raiders to minus-9 yards on the ground.

On a day when Missouri scored 41 points and rushed for three touchdowns, Chase Daniel couldn’t contain his defensive excitement.

“How ‘bout the defense?” Daniel remarked when a reporter asked about Missouri’s running game.

Moments later Daniel added: “If the defense plays this well every single week, the sky is the limit.”

No doubt. Pinkel was equally impressed. He said he expected the Tigers’ athletic and inexperienced defense to improve over the course of the season. But I’m not sure he expected the Tigers’ defensive unit to ever outperform his offense.

“I have to say it was a pretty darn good performance on defense,” Pinkel glowed.

Yeah, the Tigers are all grown up now. Last week’s showdown with Oklahoma helped the Tigers realize they can be a great team. Pinkel said he told his team not to take any satisfaction in the close loss to the Sooners (41-31).

“If you want to get to the top of the mountain, you can’t think that way,” Pinkel told his team.

The warning registered.

“We should’ve won that football game,” Daniel said. “(The OU game) just validated where we’re at.”

Nah, this Tech victory validated Missouri’s climb to elite status. It legitimized what Missouri demonstrated last week. It’s easy to get up for Oklahoma. It’s difficult to play at a high-high level on back-to-back weekends. The Sooners looked terrible against Iowa State on Saturday.

The Tigers should run their record to 9-1 over the next three weeks — Iowa State, at Colorado and Texas A&M. By then, Mizzou should be in the top 10. If the Tigers beat Kansas State, Kansas and Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, they’d be 12-1 and in the national-title hunt.

No way I saw this coming when they squeaked by Illinois. This is a tremendous story, a tale loyal Missouri football fans deserve.

**cdcox** · 10-20-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Well USC's next 3 games would shoot them far ahead of Mizzou provided they win them...

True.

Mosbonian · 10-20-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Well USC's next 3 games would shoot them far ahead of Mizzou provided they win them...

I would agree....but lose one of them and it would be interesting to see where they fall to.

mmaddog
*******

Mecca · 10-20-2007, 11:09 PM

As long as Dirty Sanchez keeps playin.....

Basileus777 · 10-20-2007, 11:11 PM

Teams left that have a legit shot at the BCS championship game:

ACC
Boston College
Virginia Tech

Big Ten
Ohio State

Big East
West Virginia

Big 12
Oklahoma
Kansas (who really knows but they are undefeated)

SEC
LSU

PAC 10
Arizona State
USC
Oregon

I'm not sold on Virginia Tech as a legit contendor, but they'll be in the top 10 so who knows.

Kinda funny that there is only one SEC team. Florida could have an outside chance but with 2 losses I just don't see it.

KChiefs1 · 10-20-2007, 11:18 PM

I'll be interested to see what the BCS looks like today.

Thig Lyfe · 10-20-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Ok question.....if Missouri has 1 loss and USC has 1 loss do you really think on any voters board Missouri would be ahead of SC?

SC could possibly be ahead of Missouri with 2 losses, considering the schedule they play compared to Missouri's.

MU lost to OU.

SC lost to Stanford.

Mosbonian · 10-20-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basileus777

Teams left that have a legit shot at the BCS championship game:

PAC 10
Arizona State
USC
Oregon

Schedules for the above teams:

AZ State:

Sat, Oct 27 (10) California 10:00 pm --
Sat, Nov 3 at (7) Oregon 3:30 pm --
Sat, Nov 10 at UCLA TBA --
Thu, Nov 22 (13) USC 8:00 pm --
Sat, Dec 1 Arizona 8:00 pm --

USC

Sat, Oct 27 at (7) Oregon 3:00 pm --
Sat, Nov 3 Oregon State 8:00 pm --
Sat, Nov 10 at (10) California 8:00 pm --
Thu, Nov 22 at (12) Arizona State 8:00 pm --
Sat, Dec 1 UCLA 4:30 pm --

Oregon

Sat, Oct 27 (13) USC 3:00 pm --
Sat, Nov 3 (12) Arizona State 3:30 pm --
Thu, Nov 15 at Arizona 8:00 pm --
Sat, Nov 24 at UCLA TBA --
Sat, Dec 1 Oregon State 4:30 pm --

Looking at the above schedules I highly doubt that either of the 3 remains in the hunt unless one team wins out. And I doubt that will happen.

mmaddog
*******

Basileus777 · 10-20-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmaddog

Looking at the above schedules I highly doubt that either of the 3 remains in the hunt unless one team wins out. And I doubt that will happen.

mmaddog
*******

True. But as of right now if any of those teams wins out they have an excellent chance of going to the national championship game.

Mosbonian · 10-20-2007, 11:46 PM

Interesting article in Yahoo....and relevant to the discussions:

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_...=tsn&type=lgns

Ten things to watch this weekend

By Matt Hayes - SportingNews

6. On the road

Here were are on Oct. 19, and for the first time this season, unbeaten Kansas will leave the state to play a game.

And guess what? Tomorrow's game at Colorado will be the Jayhawks' toughest game until the season finale against Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium.

I know it's hard to believe, but we've officially found a team with a weaker schedule than Ohio State. Here's something to chew on: what if KU, Boston College and Ohio State all go unbeaten.

Imagine those three arguing schedules.

10. It's all about the numbers

Texas Tech at Missouri. A couple of thoughts: a combined 100 passes attempted; more than 1,000 yards of total offense; a four-hour, overtime game.

And just think: these are two teams Oklahoma will use in defense of its schedule when the BCS numbers start to crunch late next month.
(he missed this one by a mile)

mmaddog
*******

JohnnyV13 · 10-21-2007, 12:53 AM

Remember...for Mizzou to win out, they will likely need to beat Oklahoma in a rematch in the Big 12 championship game. Winning vs. Oklahoma could do wonders to legitimize Mizzou.

Pitt Gorilla · 10-21-2007, 12:57 AM

MU has some solid wins (Tech and Illinois) and a win that once looked solid (NU).

10-20-2007, 10:00 PM
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $3146768	Whitlock: Missouri is a national-title contender COLUMBIA \| The Big 12’s best football team, the one-loss BCS squad with the best defeat, played its best ball in several decades on Saturday and issued a strong message that it wants to be in the who’s-the-nation’s-best debate. If you don’t know, now you know: Gary Pinkel’s Missouri Tigers are pretty damn good, top-10 good, BCS-bowl good. Just ask Mike Leach and his 22nd-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Tigers stomped Tech 41-10 at Faurot Field in a game that was absolutely as one-sided as the final score indicates. Anyone worried the Tigers might be hung over from their disappointing, giveaway loss to the Oklahoma Sooners last weekend had their concerns alleviated early on Saturday. Missouri’s defense, an outfit scheduled for a stern test against a Tech offense that came in averaging 50 points, opened the scoring by picking off a Graham Harrell pass and dashing 38 yards for six points on Tech’s first possession. The romp was on. And when it was over, after the Tigers’ D had produced four interceptions and its normally-pass-happy O had grinded out 212 rushing yards, I began to ponder the real possibility that the Tigers are national-title contenders — at least until further notice. Seriously, why not the Tigers? No one doubts their offense. Chase Daniel and Mizzou’s receivers can move the football on any team in the country. The Tigers, even with Tony Temple sidelined, are starting to demonstrate a running game. Jeremy Maclin gives the Tigers a special-teams playmaker. Nope. The questions about Mizzou centered on the defense. Could the Tigers stop a legitimate offense? Well, Leach and the Red Raiders know how to score points. On Saturday, they pretty much refused to punt the football, going for it seven times on fourth down. Missouri never buckled. They harassed Harrell, sacking him three times, forcing him into several terrible throws. The Tigers punished Tech’s receivers. They eliminated Tech’s running game, holding the Red Raiders to minus-9 yards on the ground. On a day when Missouri scored 41 points and rushed for three touchdowns, Chase Daniel couldn’t contain his defensive excitement. “How ‘bout the defense?” Daniel remarked when a reporter asked about Missouri’s running game. Moments later Daniel added: “If the defense plays this well every single week, the sky is the limit.” No doubt. Pinkel was equally impressed. He said he expected the Tigers’ athletic and inexperienced defense to improve over the course of the season. But I’m not sure he expected the Tigers’ defensive unit to ever outperform his offense. “I have to say it was a pretty darn good performance on defense,” Pinkel glowed. Yeah, the Tigers are all grown up now. Last week’s showdown with Oklahoma helped the Tigers realize they can be a great team. Pinkel said he told his team not to take any satisfaction in the close loss to the Sooners (41-31). “If you want to get to the top of the mountain, you can’t think that way,” Pinkel told his team. The warning registered. “We should’ve won that football game,” Daniel said. “(The OU game) just validated where we’re at.” Nah, this Tech victory validated Missouri’s climb to elite status. It legitimized what Missouri demonstrated last week. It’s easy to get up for Oklahoma. It’s difficult to play at a high-high level on back-to-back weekends. The Sooners looked terrible against Iowa State on Saturday. The Tigers should run their record to 9-1 over the next three weeks — Iowa State, at Colorado and Texas A&M. By then, Mizzou should be in the top 10. If the Tigers beat Kansas State, Kansas and Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, they’d be 12-1 and in the national-title hunt. No way I saw this coming when they squeaked by Illinois. This is a tremendous story, a tale loyal Missouri football fans deserve.
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10-20-2007, 11:09 PM	#48
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-562950	As long as Dirty Sanchez keeps playin.....
Posts: 115,291

10-20-2007, 11:11 PM	#49
Basileus777 MVP Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Casino cash: $2305958	Teams left that have a legit shot at the BCS championship game: ACC Boston College Virginia Tech Big Ten Ohio State Big East West Virginia Big 12 Oklahoma Kansas (who really knows but they are undefeated) SEC LSU PAC 10 Arizona State USC Oregon I'm not sold on Virginia Tech as a legit contendor, but they'll be in the top 10 so who knows. Kinda funny that there is only one SEC team. Florida could have an outside chance but with 2 losses I just don't see it.
Posts: 9,416

10-20-2007, 11:18 PM	#50
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	I'll be interested to see what the BCS looks like today. __________________
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10-20-2007, 11:46 PM	#54
Mosbonian On Hiatus Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-1170300	Interesting article in Yahoo....and relevant to the discussions: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_...=tsn&type=lgns Ten things to watch this weekend By Matt Hayes - SportingNews 6. On the road Here were are on Oct. 19, and for the first time this season, unbeaten Kansas will leave the state to play a game. And guess what? Tomorrow's game at Colorado will be the Jayhawks' toughest game until the season finale against Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium. I know it's hard to believe, but we've officially found a team with a weaker schedule than Ohio State. Here's something to chew on: what if KU, Boston College and Ohio State all go unbeaten. Imagine those three arguing schedules. 10. It's all about the numbers Texas Tech at Missouri. A couple of thoughts: a combined 100 passes attempted; more than 1,000 yards of total offense; a four-hour, overtime game. And just think: these are two teams Oklahoma will use in defense of its schedule when the BCS numbers start to crunch late next month. (he missed this one by a mile) mmaddog *******
Posts: 12,393

10-21-2007, 12:53 AM	#55
JohnnyV13 Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tucson AZ Casino cash: $5405200	Remember...for Mizzou to win out, they will likely need to beat Oklahoma in a rematch in the Big 12 championship game. Winning vs. Oklahoma could do wonders to legitimize Mizzou.
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10-21-2007, 12:57 AM	#56
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $-9806	MU has some solid wins (Tech and Illinois) and a win that once looked solid (NU). __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
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