Ahem....you were saying?
Pardon me if I gloat for a minute but this may be the only time left this year where I'll have a chance to do it. Nobody gives Missouri any respect because they lost 2 inexplicable games at home....a non-conference loss to a less-than-average Indiana team and an embarrassing blowout against Georgia. Still, they showed the resilience to win every conference game on the road....a feat that is not easy for any team in any conference. Our comeback win against the Hogs on Saturday shows the kind of grit this team is made of.
I remember when Mizzou joined the SEC there were all kinds of derogatory comments about how long they would be doormats in the East and that they would be consistent and easy victims for power teams like Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. Well, in only their 3rd year in the conference, Coach Pinkel has led them to their second straight Eastern Division title and another opportunity to play spoiler in the SEC Championship Game. This is no small accomplishment.
It is a virtual certainty that nobody will give the Tigers even a puncher's chance against Alabama (especially after what the Tide displayed on Saturday night) next week. Although a fan, I'm certainly not crazy enough to pick them to win either. However, I will say that if Alabama takes them lightly and doesn't come with their A-game, Missouri definitely has the talent to take them out. That said, I love the fact that no one thinks we can win. That puts all the pressure on Alabama. Congrats to Coach Gary Pinkel and my Missouri Tigers!