Stories about Missouri
What’s Scary About Missouri? 11 comments
The answer? Plenty. Let's start with the fact that, like Nebraska, they've won two of the last four Big 12 North division titles. They also won in their last visit to Lincoln by a large margin. It sounds like they've gotten serious about nutrition in tandem with their conditioning so that they are a lot leaner. At times, you still see Husker players that look doughier than the vintage 1990's teams. Tiger Quarterback Blaine Gabbert is the leading returning Big 12 quarterback in terms of pass efficiency from a year ago. And that included some time spent playing hurt. They also bring back senior running back Derrick Washington, who's given the Big Red troubles in the past. He's just one of 18 returning starters. It doesn't help that you haven't heard Nebraska players or fans say much about Missouri this off-season, making you think that this is a team that the Huskers might actually overlook. And oh yeah, Nebraska has to face them in October - typically Bo Pelini's worst month.
Missouri Post-Mortem 7 comments
I call this article a "Post-Mortem" because I spend the time dissecting the mistakes the Husker have made in the past week's game. But this week, the title of Post-Mortem is honorarily given for the fashion in which Nebraska took apart the Tigers in the final quarter of the game. From start to finish, THE Fourth Quarter, as it shall now be known, was a thing of near perfection. Execution on offense along with the tenacity on defense rivaled any effort I've ever seen the Huskers undertake. We have seen a team that learned not to give up or let off in the waning minutes of a game. So I will continue to look at our mistakes and issues, but you will not see a single negative mention of that spectacular 15 minute stretch of football in here.
Notable Quotes from Nebraska vs Missouri 10 comments
There is much to be said about Nebraska's improbable fourth quarter come back at Missouri. For now, let's see what the players, coaches and national media said after the game.
Nebraska Takes Another Step Forward 8 comments
When a football program bottoms out, as Nebraska's did in 2007 (or if you prefer, from 2002-2007) there are certain milestones for improvement that have to happen on the field. We nearly saw one at Virginia Tech three weeks ago, we did see one last night. Beating a ranked team on the road for the first time in forever was one. Ending an eight year drought in Columbia was the other.
There’s No Place Like Home 15 comments
You didn't have to watch tonight's game between Nebraska and Missouri for more than thirty seconds to know that you wanted to be watching it on a Hi-Def screen versus being drenched by cold water for 3 hours or more. It brought back memories of the 1993 contest with Oklahoma where the windchill was below zero. Even if you had a ticket for the big game between ranked teams, you'd just assume watch it on TV.
Hoping It Doesn’t Become a Rivalry 4 comments
The official line which we usually hear around Colorado time has been Nebraska doesn't have a rival. Ask a Husker fan, and they'll want to say Oklahoma. But deep down can we really believe that? Especially when we know how all-consuming their hatred of the Longhorns is. Instead, what happens is that every few years a conference opponent rises to the top of the list of teams we want to beat most. That is, NU experiences a fair amount of frustration at the hands of a certain team, the "fans" of that opponent (which usually were either in hiding or didn't exist before they started beating Nebraska) come out of the woodwork and get mouthy about how much better their team is, then once Nebraska wins two to three games in a row the short-lived rivalry is pretty much forgotten.
Plan of Attack: Missourah Tigers 4 comments
I feel good about this game. The past two years I've had to deal with a Cubs playoff loss immediately before a Missouri stomping. Throw in the Cardinals ties there it was like one giant gut punch from the Show Me State.
Not this year. This year I can focus all my attention on the Tigers. Thanks, Cubs. Genuinely. I'm relieved.
Secondary Primary for NU 4 comments
There are many keys to tomorrow night's game between Nebraska and Missouri. From rushing offense to quarterback play or special teams, a person could argue that any or every element of the game is important, and probably be right. One particular area I'm zeroing in on is the play of the Nebraska secondary. Their health, combined with Missouri's personnel style and of play, makes them a primary part of determining the outcome on Thursday.
Unwelcome Rumors Mostly Unfounded 2 comments
Head coach Bo Pelini squashed rumors of a flu bug spreading through the NU football team. The most frightening one that Roy Helu had swine flu or worse yet some kind of injury. Helu did miss practice but Pelini said that he could have practiced but since he wasn't feeling well they sent him home. Whether or not to be concerned by his absence is a bit of an eye of the beholder thing.
One Key to Success: Relish the @ Sign 7 comments
At start of the season, football fans and pundits alike knew that success for Nebraska required playing well on the road. Many of the biggest NU games are preceded by an @ sign, meaning: @ Virginia Tech, @ Missouri, @ Kansas. Nebraska showed guts on the road in Blacksburg a few weeks ago, falling just short. Now, it appears that experience is helping prepare them for what is sure to be a hostile environment in Columbia, Missouri in a few days. There has also been a not-so-subtle shift in the way the Huskers think of road games. It is no longer a matter of treating each game the same, but rather they are espousing a road warrior's mentality, and it might mean all the difference.
AP Right About One Thing 2 comments
As of right now, Nebraska and Missouri are preparing for a game that will likely set one of these teams on a course to win the Big 12 North. If the Huskers prove that they can win on the road against a tough divisional foe, then they have a shot to beat most of the teams on the schedule. If Missouri is able to win one to start the season, then the questions about all the personnel losses during the off season go away. According to the rankings of the AP Poll, Missouri is ranked 24th behind Nebraska's 21st. In the USAToday, Nebraska is at 22, four spots behind number 18 Missouri. Which Poll Is Right? As you can tell from my title, I believe there is a correct answer (WARNING: Numbers and tables ahead).
While We Were Sleeping 8 comments
The bye week gave us little direct evidence of what may transpire between Nebraska and Missouri, however there were a number of indirect clues about the two teams.
Is Nebraska Back (Part 3) 18 comments
Just kidding with the headline there. Part 2 got such a powerful response, I couldn't resist. It's now one week to the huge game at Missouri, yet we haven't truly dissected the opponent here at the Big Red Network. Time to fix that.
Huskers Prepare to Take Big Step Forward 18 comments
If there was any doubt, one look at the conferences standings reminds you of why the conference opener at Missouri is one of the two most important games for Nebraska this year (the other being the November contest at Kansas). Missouri has won the Big 12 North each of the last two years. Nebraska hasn't won in Columbia since Eric Crouch was taking snaps. They don't get much bigger.
What to Make of Missouri 8 comments
Missouri has been largely dismissed as a Big 12 North contender for 2009 despite having won the division each of the past two seasons. That’s likely because the Tigers bring back only five starters on each side of the ball. They lost big names in Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, and Chase Coffman. But could the team be in reloading mode rather than rebuilding?
Missouri v. Northwestern: Expectations Gone Awry 10 comments
Valero Alamo Bowl, Missouri @ Northwestern, San Antonio Alamodome, Dec. 29, 8 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
2008 was supposed to be Missouri's year. Fans, players, coaches all thought that the Tigers were going to be in the hunt for a National Championship very late into the game. Their hopes for a title game shot were pretty much dashed after their second loss in as many weeks to Texas. Northwestern was pretty much the exact opposite. They were not expected to make any kind of impact, but being ranked in the top 25 and in a bowl game was beyond their hopes at the beginning of the season.
Inconclusive Evidence: Smack, Strategery and Redlegs 1 comment
After the dual demolition of the Cubs/Huskers on Saturday night, I've been unable to think in anything but short bursts of ideas. I either don't know what to believe or don't believe in anything. I'm not sure.
But here are a few things I feel relatively confident about:
Missouri Post-Game Reaction: Trying Hard Not to Be Sick 29 comments
When I woke up this morning, I honestly believed Nebraska would win today against Missouri. I had that confident feeling all day. Once the game started, it lasted for almost one quarter. The 52-17 defeat in Lincoln made two things abundantly clear. First, Missouri is exactly as they were advertised to be. Second, Nebraska has the capacity to play very, very poorly no matter how many catchy Bo-related slogans fans come up with. The first realization is a testament to MU, who is a legit conference title contender. The second is enough to make me absolutely sick.
Husker Haiku: Missouri 2 comments
Here are the haiku
For the big game Saturday.
Read on; offer yours.
Plan of Attack: Missouri 9 comments
How do you beat Missouri? Tough to say since Oklahoma's the only team to do it (twice) over the past 18 games.
Looking at the split stats and box scores from Missouri's two losses last year don't reveal a whole lot. Rushing yards, passing yards, turnover margin, almost nothing's out of the ordinary range for wins versus losses.
That said, there are at least a couple of things Nebraska will have to do in order to hang around on Saturday.
Missouri is Not Virginia Tech. Is That a Good Thing? 2 comments
During the football season one game must be instructive to the next in order for coaches to make their team better. Consider this - Missouri is not Virginia Tech. And, just maybe that is a good thing. Virginia Tech wants to pound the football. Missouri spreads things out. Tyrod Taylor would rather run than throw (a nick in Pelini's armor?), while Daniel would rather throw than run (though, he can move around very well). Virginia Tech is very stout up front. Frankly, Missouri is not. So perhaps these schemes are so different and the tasks so separate that it might help NU do what it knows how to do on defense and desperately wants to do on offense.
Huskers, Fans Should Not Concede Defeat 7 comments
I love to look at point spreads as a reality check leading up to a game. Are my own expectations in line with what the betting public thinks? Is one team a big favorite over the other? It's still an imperfect metric, though. Think of Alabama at Georgia, the betting public would say Georgia should have been the favorite. We saw how that turned out. But some of these unbiased computer models would have done a better job than the betting line.
Don’t Let Virginia Tech Beat You Twice… 2 comments
Missouri is the fourth ranked team in the country in the most recent AP poll. The Tigers are putting up gaudy offensive statistics. They have a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy taking the snap and playmakers all over the field. They are a tough enough test for Nebraska without letting the ghosts of a loss to Virginia Tech make it any harder. Unfortunately, Nebraska may be playing some of those ghosts this Saturday night, if recent history is any indicator. To avoid letting the loss get in their head any more, NU needs to focus on the task at hand and just keep giving their very best effort right from the opening kick.
Go Big Rust 19 comments
It's easy to look back the NU-Virginia Tech game and think that the Hokies' nine first quarter points were the difference in the ballgame. Beyond the fact that nine points is greater than the five point final margin, the quick start emboldened the young Tyrod Taylor, it took the crowd out of the game, and it may have taken the Huskers out of their offensive game plan.
Missouri Breakdown: Where Credit is Due 15 comments
Let's start off by giving credit where credit is due. The Missouri Tigers were a great football team in 2007. Statistically speaking, they were one of the best. It's pretty straightforward what made them so good, and what will likely make them just as good in 2008: Chase Daniel. Gary Pinkel has kept the same staff for a number of years, turning them into a finely-oiled machine. He has built the team around the skills of an agile, athletic, and very intelligent football player. Averaging 39 points/game is not out of the question again.
Previewing Missouri - Ask a Blogger 2 comments
Big Red Network is committed to covering as many angles in our opponent previews as possible. This includes doing interviews. Instead of rolling out material you can find by picking up a copy of your local fish wrap or a glossy pre-season magazine, we are talking to people who really know their stuff - bloggers. Yep, we're asking a few simple questions of our blog brethren to get you in the know on Husker foes.
First up, Missouri. For this we turn to the fine crew over at Rock M Nation. They tolerated my rambling questions and provided quality answers. Check them out below, and give their site a look for all things Missouri, if you are so inclined.
A Relatively Short Essay on Why I Now Hate Missouri 25 comments
I think I hate this Missouri football team. I'm not certain because I've never had strong feelings for the Tigers before this season but I've found myself actually thinking a lot about the Missouri-Nebraska bell this summer. It's not like some rivalries (OU-Texas, Alabama-Auburn, et al.) where the football is just the physical manifestation of some deep-seated regional tension. I feel no ill-will towards the Show-Me State as a whole, in fact my family tree has some pretty deep roots there, but I do hate the 2008 Missouri Tigers...and the Cardinals...and Budweiser now that it's Belgian (as if they didn't have enough beer), but beyond those three things I'm perfectly fine with Missouri.
Now, this is unchartered territory for me, this sudden hatred, and I think that's because this is unchartered territory for the University of Missouri football program as well: They're supposed to be good this year, really good, and that raises two very interesting questions: 1) who likes a favorite? and 2) how will Missouri respond to their new status as reyes del norte?
2008 Opponent Previews: Missouri 0 comments
Rather than begin our previews with Western Michigan, we thought we'd start by highlighting the all-important Big 12 North. Missouri is the favorite in the North and with good reason.
Big 12 Recruiting Roundup: Missouri 6 comments
If not for some pickpocketing by the Tigers when the Huskers were vulnerable, the Huskers might have again have put some distance between themselves and Missouri on signing day. Instead, Missouri snared five-star quarterback Blaine Gabbert (wasn't that the name of Lisa Whelchel's character on the Facts of Life?) and four-star offensive lineman Dan Hoch as Nebraska's coaching staff was in transition.
Big 12 State of the Union: Missouri 1 comment
When have the Tigers ever looked as good as they did in 2007? Seriously, who was president? Did they have cars yet or did fans go to the games on horseback? And the Tigers seem sure to contend in the Big 12 North in 2008. In fact, they might be a dark horse for the national championship.
Wisdom From NU’s De-facto Captain 31 comments
Regardless of the election the players had in August, sometimes other players step up and become leaders. In both word and deed, Sam Keller is that guy for the 2007 season. He gives maximum effort on each play, and he speaks both privately, on the sideline, and publicly to the press. His words ring loudest to me on this ugly, ugly Monday. Hear them, fans. Heed them if you want.
Missouri Game Post-Mordem Report 52 comments
I am deeply disappointed this morning, and I imagine many other Husker fans are as well. Prior to the game, I genuinely believed that Nebraska could beat Missouri on Saturday night. I was wrong. Our beloved Huskers were gutted in Columbia Missouri, 41-6. And, now I am left to examine the remains from a late and frustrating night.
Tigers March Proudly Into Meeting With Nebraska 8 comments
From time to time, the Big Red Network will publish “Onion�-style satire. We apologize in advance to anyone we may offend, it's all meant as harmless fun. We can assure you, the reader, that no animals were harmed in assembling this piece.
The Missouri Tigers have been outspokenly confident going into their meeting with Nebraska. Missouri safety Cornelius “Pig� Brown stated boldly, “We need to beat them by three touchdowns or more.� The Tigers bravado reminded one fan of another proud group of upstarts, the Gay Liberation Front.
Recipe for Saturday Success 9 comments
Nebraska is not favored to win when they visit Missouri on Saturday. Most media types believe the Tigers will win a "shootout" type ballgame versus the Huskers, with both teams scoring in the mid-30 to low-40 point range. That is all well and good, and could very well come to pass. But, after considering the Huskers road-game tactics under Coach Callahan, particularly in Big 12 Conference play, there may be a recipe for Saturday success that doesn't mandate a "shootout". It calls for a heaping batch of fresh running plays, a dollop of downfield passing, and just a pinch of trickery. Bake it all together in a crust made from sure tackling and a couple turnovers and it is sure to please.
Question of Performance Enhancers Surround Daniel 6 comments
A piece of video has been released that puts Chase Daniel's eligibility in doubt. This six second clip raises a number of questions:
Sizing Up Missouri (2007) 2 comments
On paper, you can see why this is seen as the toughest game for Nebraska to this point besides USC. The Tigers have the biggest offensive line since the Trojans, tall quick tight ends, a good –sized defensive line (with one smallish end), stout linebackers and tall cornerbacks. They start 6 seniors (and 3 juniors) on offense and 3 seniors (and 6 juniors) on defense. In other words, this is a mature team.
Purify’s Tough Year Continues 6 comments
In a year when he has already seen his football future put in jeopardy and his brother killed, Maurice Purify has suffered another personal tragedy. Purify's girlfriend Reia Shapiro was killed in a car accident in California this weekend. Faced with this latest loss, Purify's status for NU's game against Missouri this weekend is in doubt.
Missouri Opens a Touchdown Favorite over Nebraska 22 comments
The stars seem to be aligning for Missouri for finally win a conference championship. The South hasn't looked this vulnerable in six years and the North division would seem theirs for the taking. Yet this is the same Missouri team that last year fell to Iowa State when given two weeks to prepare.
2007 Opponent Preview…Missouri 10 comments
Prior to the 2006 season, some people (i.e. me) saw Iowa State, a team returning 10 offensive starters, as a major threat to the Huskers. The Cyclones had a chance in the final week of 2005 to clinch the Big 12 North, but fell to Kansas in their season finale. Still, their offense (which had given the Huskers some trouble in 2004 and 2005) looked to be good and the fact that the 2006 game was in Ames (where NU had lost two straight) gave them (me) reason to think that Iowa State could be dangerous. Those people (me again) overlooked the extensive losses on defense.
How history repeats itself.
Purify! 3 comments
Pop quiz. This a photo of:
a) a 9 foot tall receiver
b) a nice bit of Photoshop trickery
c) Mo Purify owning two Missouri defenders
Thank you for the photo anonymous Internet source!
P.S. Throw the ball to Purify!
Sun Shines on Huskers in Win over Missouri 6 comments
Just as Renny's forecast predicted, it was a beautiful (if a bit early) day for football on Saturday. The sun shone brightly on the Huskers as they used a strong first-half performance to defeat Missouri 34-20 in Lincoln. The dose of actual and metaphorical sunshine made several things much clearer for NU as their stretch run continues.
They have control of their destiny in attempting to win the North division. Win one more (or two, preferably) or have Missouri lose one, and they punch their ticket to Kansas City. A few other things became clear to me as my ever-loving wife and I took in the game from seats in the Southeast corner of the stadium.
Game Day Pocket Guide for Missouri 0 comments
Our pocket guides are quite a hit amongst the lucky few that find them. If you want to be a hero at your tailgate or Husker party on Saturday, print out a stack and pass them around.
Here is this week's exclusive Game Day Pocket Guide for Missouri.
Share the wealth!
Weather forecast for Missouri 1 comment
Did someone say they wanted nice tailgating weather? I thought I heard that a few times this week.
After bitter cold morning lows in the teens throughout the week, Saturday will be much warmer for the 3 B's of football tailgating -- BBQ, brats, and beer -- before the 11 AM kickoff at Memorial Stadium. Temperatures at 9 AM will be in the upper 40s. Kickoff will feature a mix of sun and clouds with temps in the middle 50s before we reach our afternoon high by game's end -- in the lower 60s.
I know, it sounds too good to be true. Well, it is.
ABC coverage map for Nebraska - Missouri 0 comments
Saturday's game against the Missouri Tigers will be televised on ABC. Kickoff is at 11:00 CDT.
Here is their coverage map. You can click to enlarge.
If you're looking for radio, satellite radio or internet coverage for the game, you can find that info on our game day page (as always).
Another Early Bird Special 0 comments
On the heels of my fellow Husker blogger Steve writing a pretty smart piece about fatigue, I'm more concerned about getting up in the morning. Specifically, I mean the Huskers getting another 11:00 a.m. Central kickoff time Saturday. Granted, Nebraska and Missouri earned that kick time with their poor performances last week. But, jeez, 11:00 is an early time for football. And, it hurts the Huskers a little in the other important aspect of this game...recruiting
Is Missouri the Big 12 North Darkhorse? 1 comment
Previewing Missouri
In a separate post, I gave my predictions for the finish in the Big 12 North. I predicted a 5-3 conference record for Missouri, good enough for second place in the division. Some Iowa State fans and even a few Missouri fans have taken me to task for picking Missouri in that spot. Their reasons? Missouri loses Brad Smith, and still has Gary Pinkel as a coach. I can't address their personal attacks at Pinkel too well. But I honestly believe the loss of Smith won't hurt the Tigers as badly as some might believe. Factor in the returning starters around the new quarterback and in their defensive front seven, and I am thankful NU gets MU in Lincoln this year.