Whitlock: Missouri is a national-title contender - Page 2

|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.

**KcMizzou** · 10-20-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

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

Preach it!

It's a good time to be a Tigger!

HolmeZz · 10-20-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

They'd still be ahead of Missouri...

You're right. I was mixing up Missouri and Kansas for a sec.

Missouri is probably not in any legitimate national championship discussion at this point. USC shouldn't be either.

**KcMizzou** · 10-20-2007, 10:13 PM

I don't have any illusions about Mizzou winning it all...

But what they're doing is better than I've ever seen...

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-20-2007, 10:13 PM

At this point, I don't think ANYONE has shown to be worthy of #1. I am an OSU fan and they nearly choked today. I think this seasons national champ will have 1 loss.

|Zach| · 10-20-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

At this point, I don't think ANYONE has shown to be worthy of #1. I am an OSU fan and they nearly choked today. I think this seasons national champ will have 1 loss.

Top 10, Top 5 teams getting picked off left and right.

Marty Mac Ver 2.0 · 10-20-2007, 10:18 PM

Arizona State baby!

tk13 · 10-20-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

They'd still be ahead of Missouri...

At this point I don't think USC has any wins that are much more impressive than anything Mizzou's done. They both whipped Nebraska. USC just had a really bad home loss and Mizzou's loss was on the road against a top 10 team.

Of course, USC is gonna have a chance to look really good with these three tough road games coming up... but that's not gonna be easy at all.

**KcMizzou** · 10-20-2007, 10:24 PM

I'm just tickled shitless that this is even a debatable topic.

Wow.

Who'd a thunk it?

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-20-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty Mac Ver 2.0

Arizona State baby!

Horseface Jr. is coming to town. Tempe will burn in HELL!

beavis · 10-20-2007, 10:24 PM

Let me know as soon as KU plays someone not from the California Penal League.

I think A&M beats them next week. They won't be undefeated when they get to Mizzou.

Mecca · 10-20-2007, 10:25 PM

I agree we've been so blah so far this year but name recognition tends to matter.....but of course we lose any of these games we're screwed, we win them we're good..

I did mention running the table and having 1 loss not having 3 or 4.

**KcMizzou** · 10-20-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

Horseface Jr. is coming to town. Tempe will burn in HELL!

That's what happens when you dance with the spawn of the Devil.

**KcMizzou** · 10-20-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I agree we've been so blah so far this year but name recognition tends to matter.....but of course we lose any of these games we're screwed, we win them we're good..

I did mention running the table and having 1 loss not having 3 or 4.

You're right... and it's ****ed up. Having a "big name" gets you extra credit.

**dirk digler** · 10-20-2007, 10:32 PM

LSU just pulled the game out of its ass

Spicy McHaggis · 10-20-2007, 10:42 PM

This Mizzou team is a good team. A really good team, actually. I, like Whitlock, did not see this coming after the Illini game. Congrats to MU from a Kansas fan on a great season so far.

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.
Posts: 54,694

10-20-2007, 10:13 PM	#18
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	I don't have any illusions about Mizzou winning it all... But what they're doing is better than I've ever seen...
Posts: 54,695

10-20-2007, 10:13 PM	#19
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	At this point, I don't think ANYONE has shown to be worthy of #1. I am an OSU fan and they nearly choked today. I think this seasons national champ will have 1 loss. __________________ 2015 Adopt-a-Chief: Tamba Hali
Posts: 59,997

10-20-2007, 10:18 PM	#21
Marty Mac Ver 2.0 SaveOurChiefs.com Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $10005625	Arizona State baby! __________________ It's not the number of years in your life but the amount of life in your years!
Posts: 1,631

10-20-2007, 10:24 PM	#23
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	I'm just tickled shitless that this is even a debatable topic. Wow. Who'd a thunk it?
Posts: 54,695

10-20-2007, 10:24 PM	#25
beavis Free Born Man of the USA Join Date: May 2003 Casino cash: $9954900	Let me know as soon as KU plays someone not from the California Penal League. I think A&M beats them next week. They won't be undefeated when they get to Mizzou.
Posts: 7,588

10-20-2007, 10:25 PM	#26
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-562950	I agree we've been so blah so far this year but name recognition tends to matter.....but of course we lose any of these games we're screwed, we win them we're good.. I did mention running the table and having 1 loss not having 3 or 4.
Posts: 115,293

10-20-2007, 10:32 PM	#29
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $214644	LSU just pulled the game out of its ass
Posts: 67,107

10-20-2007, 10:42 PM	#30
Spicy McHaggis Keep 'er Movin' Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $9905359	This Mizzou team is a good team. A really good team, actually. I, like Whitlock, did not see this coming after the Illini game. Congrats to MU from a Kansas fan on a great season so far.
Posts: 4,963

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