Happy to be the hunter
Despite recent history, Tigers aren’t favored.
Missouri’s Derrick Washington helped the Tigers beat Nebraska 52-17 last year. MU is a 21/2-point underdog for Thursday’s game against the Huskers.
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Only a drunkard intoxicated by the red brew that flows from Nebraska can dispute the Big 12 North Division’s recent shift in balance, tilting away from the Cornhusker state and toward Missouri.
The Tigers have won four of the last six meetings with Nebraska, including three straight on Faurot Field. College freshmen were in fifth grade the last time the Huskers won a game in Columbia, which came in 2001, Gary Pinkel’s first season on the MU sideline.
Missouri has outscored the Huskers 93-23 the last two seasons, both of which ended with division titles for the Tigers.
So, naturally, Missouri (4-0) should carry the favorite’s role heading into Thursday’s Big 12 opener against the visiting Huskers (3-1). Right?
Wrong.
Oddsmakers have made Nebraska an early 2½-point favorite — a setup that falls in line with Missouri’s approach this week.
“We’re going in as underdogs this year,” MU tailback Derrick Washington said yesterday. “A lot of people didn’t think we’d be 4-0 coming into this game. Everybody’s doubting us.”
By the time Missouri wrapped up yesterday’s practice, players were unaware of the latest national rankings, which were released earlier in the day. Missouri broke into The Associated Press poll at No. 24 and jumped five spots to No. 18 in the USA Today coaches’ poll. Nebraska is No. 21 and 22 in the two polls, respectively.
That information couldn’t rewrite the script from which MU players read.
Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon recalled his first visit to Nebraska in 2006, when he saw images that still make it difficult to fathom the Cornhuskers as underdogs to Missouri.
“You’re walking down the hallway, and they’ve got all these signs that have all the scores for every season,” he said.
Weatherspoon couldn’t help but notice the many Nebraska victories over the Tigers, including 24 straight from 1979-2002.
“We got killed,” Weatherspoon said. “I saw a whole bunch of scores that just looked so bad. We’re making some changes, and we’ve been doing a pretty good job here in the recent years. But if we want to be remembered, then we need to keep it up.”
“It doesn’t matter how many times we win it,” nose tackle Jaron Baston added, “we’ve still got a lot of history to make up.”
INJURY REPORT: Pinkel expects Missouri’s two players hobbled by sprained ankles to be available Thursday. Tailback De’Vion Moore and middle linebacker Luke Lambert practiced yesterday. Moore, the No. 2 back behind Washington, was sidelined for MU’s games against Bowling Green and Furman and played only one series at Nevada, gaining 3 yards on one carry.
Lambert played only 15 snaps against Furman and missed the entire Nevada game as Will Ebner made his first career start in his place. Lambert resumed his spot with the first-team defense during yesterday’s full-pads practice on the Kadlec Athletic Fields.
Also, backup cornerback and occasional kickoff return specialist Munir Prince (hamstring) is considered doubtful for Thursday.
TICKET UPDATE: As of this morning, Missouri had less than 100 reserved seats available for Thursday’s game and around 1,000 general-admission tickets for the hill behind the North end zone.
Also, Missouri announced that its Oct. 24 homecoming game against Texas has officially become a sellout.
Reach Dave Matter at 573-815-1781 or e-mail dmatter@columbiatribune.com.
24 reader comments
The opinions expressed below are those of the readers who submitted them and not those of the Tribune's reporters or editors. Readers are solely responsible for the content of their comments.
Right says...
This is going to be a great game.
October 5, 2009 at 2:33 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Thomas says...
Great news on injuries. Had a great time in Reno, just wish I could be back home for this one!
October 5, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
tigertiger says...
Thank you, Dave, something I have been thinking for some time. I can see why folks downgraded MU pre-season, with a new QB and the big playmakers gone, but why wasn't NU treated the same? New QB, no sign of big Off. playmakers, worse record last year, which included getting pounded by MU, yet NU is the first to get ranked, and MU is an underdog in this game? NU beats three patsies, loses to only BCS school, MU beats two patsies, beats two BCS teams, both on the road. Yet somehow losing to an offensively dysfunctional Va. Tech team is more impressive. Yeah, right.
But more grist for the no-respect mill. I sort of wonder what would have happened if MU got the respect NU got preseason, if a young team would have felt entitled and lost a game or two.
The constant lack of real respect for GP and the progam is annoying.
What coach at a BCS program would be coming off of 22 wins the last two seasons and back to back Div. champs and not even get the benefit of the doubt to be considered one of the top two teams in his division by most of the media? Especially considering neither of the 'better' teams had a better record, or a better win last season.
Hope Gary and the tigers beat the respect they deserve out of NU on Thursday.
October 5, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
tigertiger says...
'beats two BCS teams, both on the road. '
WRONG, one BCS team, one supposedly good WAC team, sorry.
October 5, 2009 at 3:14 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
rcruter says...
grt thing is, respect and poll rankings don't play for either team and mean didly. delusional husker fans rant constantly abouthow superior their talent was but fail to remember the score of last two games but can tell you what happened in everygame in the eighties and ninties, silly. despite getting whomped embarassingly so at their temple in lincoln they bray like dumb jackasses about the end of the season when it didn't matter what they did.
poor big dead dudes, can't wait till thursday night for your vaunted blackshirts or pinkshirts is what they deserve, take it on the chin.
October 5, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
tigertail says...
So the gamblers have NU favored, the Coaches have Mizzou ranked higher, and the AP has NU ranked higher. Makes sense....
I think both teams just need Thursday to answer all questions.
I see the Tigers winning on a fifth down pass caught off the foot of a random receiver in the endzone..... in overtime.
October 5, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
skerfan says...
Look, I have all the respect in the world for the Missouri football program. They are lightyears ahead of where they used to be. But they really haven't accomplished anything beyond a North Division title. These days, that's not much to brag about.
Now, NU lost at Va Tech because they couldn't play a complete game. I am a Husker fan and I don't believe they deserved to win that game. However, you don't really have a leg to stand on bashing NU's schedule; take a look at your own. Missouri isn't ranked because they struggled beating Bowling Green and Nevada; Illinois has only been able to muster a defeat of Illinois State, so beating them isn't anything special; and then you beat up Furman (not even an FBS school). At least NU has nothing but FBS opponents on its schedule.
Thursday is going to be a hell of a game and I look forward to it but until your program has done something significant, you probably shouldn't expect too much from the college football community.
October 5, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Dsteez says...
the difference is NU dominated its patsies opponents MU struggled to beat its patsies. Nevada?? Bowling Green?? enjoy to the next few days of thinking the tigers are a good team.
October 5, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Travelnman says...
A few strange comments here. Tigertiger, it's really not too difficult to see why Nebraska was ranked higher than Mizzou before the season. They lost far fewer players than we did. Also, they played much better the rest of the season last year after we annihilated them. And they won a bigger bowl game.
sker, did you actually say Mizzou ISN"T ranked?? If so you need to learn to read a bit better. Also, you along with many others evidently haven't been following football very long if you buy into this nonsense of trying to rank teams based on what they did against different opponents early in the season. By your "logic" Iowa could never have beaten Penn State since they barely survived against Northern Iowa at home by blocking 2 FGs and barely beat Arkansas State at home by 3 points. So how do you explain them going to Penn State and winning fairly handily?
Dsteez, you are even more off the mark. You, me, the rest who posted here, and everyone do not know who will win this game. If anyone was that smart they would be getting filthy rich in Vegas.
October 5, 2009 at 7:24 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
skerfan says...
I was referencing those that were upset that Mizzou wasn't ranked previously when I said they weren't ranked. I believe they deserve to be in the top 25 without a doubt. I am fully aware of Mizzou's standing in both polls.
Never did I say that one team will beat another team based on their rankings nor did I predict the outcome of the NU/MU game. I think it will be a hard fought battle by both sides.
I hope that Mizzou stays as good as they are now because I would love to see a rivalry develop between the two schools. However, if that is the case, I would like to see Mizzou fans (not all of them, just those that fit the shoe) learn to win with a little more class. You will never see Mizzou fans or players getting stuff thrown at them or stuff dumped on them. I hosted a number of Mizzou fans at my tailgate last year and they were greeted as guests, not enemies.
October 5, 2009 at 7:46 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MUstudent says...
Haha tigertail. "I see the Tigers winning on a fifth down pass caught off the foot of a random receiver in the endzone..... in overtime."
October 6, 2009 at 12:32 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Meat says...
Bowling Green???????? Really???? I mean, c'mon.................really? At home? Huskers 34-10.
October 6, 2009 at 7:05 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
glg20 says...
If the Huskers win Thursday, Missouri Tiger football fades back into obscurity. Most polls seemed reluctant to put them in the Top 25, even with their big win over the mighty Bowling Green. And lets not forget Nevada...wow! And Furman? Well it's obvious those three powerhouses are on their way up! Nebraska has only played weaker opponents and it will show come game time. Suh will be praying for the game to end after 4 quarters against, quite possibly, the greatest Offense since the '08 dream team. The Tigers get the national respect they "deserve" if they win here (or do they 'earn' respect?). I digress...
October 6, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
LBhusker1 says...
First of all, I'd like to apologize to the Missouri fans for any previous disrespectful comments left on "your" blog by Husker fans over the last week. I know that if any Missouri fans were to log on to the Lincoln Journal Star website and leave some comments that I've been reading left by Husker fans on this one, there would be total outrage on the part of Nebraska fans. I hope that these comments left by a few of our fans can be ignored.
As for the game Thursday night, I am looking forward to it. I can say without hesitation that Missouri has dominated Nebraska in every phase of the game the last two years. We have both been outcoached and outplayed. I have to give it to the Tigers, they seem to be on the right track. Pinkel has reloaded every year since Brad Smith has left as your QB.
I do think NU is back on the right track though. We have a good coach and have improved our defense. I agree with everything Missouri fans have said on this blog. We haven't played a great passing attack all year, so I'm definately ready to see if our defense is up to that challenge.
As for both teams schedules, I think it is fair to say that we have both played an equal pre-conference schedule. NU didn't get the job done against Va Tech, which was unfortuante. And Mizzou hasn't really played great competition yet. I guess we will find out how far along both our teams are Thursday night.
But, we have to remember that neither NU or Mizzou has played the caliber of football to beat any good team in the Big 12 South as of late. I'm looking forward to the day when both Mizzou and NU can compete and win against those teams. It will only be good for our conference when that happens.
I wish the best of luck to Missouri and their fans Thursday night. I hope that the Nebraska fans who travel are courteous and respectful to the home fans and also respect that game and Missouri players. After all, that is what it is all about.
October 6, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Right says...
LB,
That was a well thought and well put post. Neither team has proven anything yet this season. It is hard ( and pointless) to rank teams this early in the year. Thursday night will prove who is the better team.
October 6, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Right says...
If that is your real photo, I can see why you are so hateful. Eeek!
October 6, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
LBhusker1 says...
The comments by Tyrone are exactly the thing I was speaking of. I don't consider people who post things like that "fans" of Nebraska, or college football for that matter. Those two posts were pathetic.
I'm hoping for a great game. Columbia is a great college atomosphere and I look forward to heading down. See you guys Thursday. Good luck to both teams.
October 6, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Michael says...
Travelnman - Took the words right out of my mouth. Could not have put it any better.
October 6, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
skerfan says...
Tyrone,
Way to make yourself look like an idiot...fo sho. Do the REAL Husker fans a favor and keep your rants for your D&D message boards.
I agree completely with LB. This is going to be a great game and I look forward to watching every minute of it.
October 6, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Romano says...
rcruter - things never change for you, do they.
- nobody ranted about how "superior" they think NU's talent is. maybe a decade ago, but not recently. it's in your head.
- we remember quite well what the score was the past two years. it hurt. if we ever bring up the past, it's because there comes a time where some of your fans just need a cold shower and be reminded of the overall series between our programs. it's called bragging rights and right now, you've got 'em... but we claim the history.
- bottom line, you're a hater who simply likes to hate NU. nothing you post is ever convincing or valid. it's not even good smack talk. watch Rome a little more and you'll get it down.
And don't worry, fellas from both squads will take some on the chin Thurs. night.
October 6, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Right says...
There is nothing to do in Lincoln, huh?
October 6, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Huskerzone says...
I'll try this again. Hello Tiger fans. I promised one of your own to congratulate you if Mizzou wins again this Thursday as the Tiger fan promised to congratulate us on our favorite website if the right team wins. So, good luck.
October 6, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
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