...or so most Mizzou fans think. But remember that embarrassing loss to Iowa State last year in clutch time? Remember two seasons ago when the good ole Tigers capsized against a poor New Mexico team? Surely no one has forgotten that Pinkel and Co. have bitten the dust two of the last three years to a terrible Kansas Jayhawk squad?
So what makes the believers believe this season? Maybe it's the renewed confidence of head coach Gary Pinkel and his 6.5 million dollar nest, or the fact that football experts are mentioning the Tigers in their preseason talks. Perhaps its the exciting young quarterback Chase Daniel and the high-flying Big 12 offense. Maybe, just maybe....
But Mizzou fans..beware. Myself included. Don't go more than knee-deep in the hype. This is a mediocre football program with much to prove this season and beyond. The squad is led by a questionable coach who has a career losing record in the Big 12 (20-28). Not to mention, a bulk of the team is young with much to learn. Don't believe this team won't make stupid decisions on the field (remember Will Franklin's touchdown-to-be last season?) Daniel is a young man still and although he seems to be invincible under pressure...remember this is only his second season as a starter.
The Big 12 isn't an easy nest to lay your egg in. The stakes are high and the pressure is on. This isn't the OVC, baby. Samford isn't on the schedule. A 56-point season opening loss won't be something to laugh about. People won't be saying "let's wait until we get a home game." Mizzou must win now. They must win tomorrow. And they must win many more times this season. The Independence Bowl won't cut it this year. Second place in the North won't cut it this year.
All the hype adds all the pressure. Let's cross our fingers and hope the boys in black and gold can stay focused, determined, and able to handle the big show. Opening up on ESPN2 is the real deal. Playing at the Ed is the big time. Pinkel better have his boys ready to fight this season, or there's going to be more alumn and fans jumping off the bandwagon quickly.
Deck out in your best black and gold plated birthday suit, be in downtown early enough to get nice and funny so you're not shy about contributing to the ruckus, and be ready to heckle the hell out of anybody in puke orange. I'm jealous. And I'm envious of all you lucky fools who get to be there.
Think of me. Call me. I'll be bellied up at Cuckoo's eating fried chicken and drinking some of Augie's finest. And if there's a stupid three yard sweep play called on a third and long, I'll be causing a little ruckus of my own.
"We're gonna go inside, we're gonna go outside, inside and outside. We're gonna get 'em on the run boys and once we get 'em on the run we're gonna keep 'em on the run. And then we're gonna go go go go go go and we're not gonna stop til we get across that goal line. This is a team they say is... is good, well I think we're better than them. They can't lick us, so what do you say men?"
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