Mizzou, Nebraska Showdown is Last in Series

When Missouri faces the Cornhuskers of Nebraska today in Lincoln, it will be the end of a rivalry that has become quite good in the last few years. Yes, this will be the last battle for the Victory Bell. The MU-NU Rivalry, and yes it is a rivalry - probably the biggest for Missouri given the current state of the Kansas Program - is the second oldest in the Conference (behind MU-KU), and the third oldest west if the Mississippi.

It has been played 103 times, not counting today's contest. For most of its years, it has actually been a pretty good rivalry. It is hard for people alive today to realize this, but the 80's and 90's are the only decades that Nebraska dominated (winning 24 straight between 1979 and 2002), and Missouri has won 4 of the last 7, including the last meeting in Lincoln by a dominating score of 52-17.

Nebraska was also the opponent for one of Missouri's infamous losses. The "Flea Kicker" game as it became known, crushed Missouri's hopes of ending Nebraska's then 18 game winning streak in 1997 (I remember EXACTLY where I was when that play happened). The game was sent to overtime in the final seconds on a bizarre play in which a Nebraska player kicked (intentionally? can you say 15 yard penalty?) the ball up in the air and was caught on a diving reception in the endzone.

Today's game not only has significance as the final in a long rivalry, but is also important because of it's implications on the Big 12 North Standings. If Missouri wins, they have essentially won the North, if Nebraska wins, they are put in the driver's seat in the North. This game also has National Title implications. Missouri is the final unbeaten team, and presumably the final Big 12 team that would have Championship aspirations for this season. Really, the Tigers have never played in a bigger game.

Missouri must once again run the ball effectively, and force Nebraska to throw. If they have some success in both of these areas, or a lot of success in one of them, they will win. I think the Tigers pull out a close one 24-23.

Big Win for Mizzou Elevates Them to National Title Picture

This ain't your daddy's Tigers - or your big brother's for that matter. Saturday night the Missouri Tigers exorcised a few demons at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, beating the Oklahoma Sooners by a score of 36-27. The Sooners had beaten the Tigers 19 of 20 games prior to this years contest. The win takes the Tigers to an impressive 7-0 record and the only unbeaten team in the Big 12. Fans rushed the field to remove the goal posts and take them to Harpo's tavern downtown as is the traditional post-big game victory celebration in Columbia. The Tigers are now 6th in the BCS poll, and one of only 6 undefeated teams remaining in the country.

Missouri had Oklahoma's defense on it's heals all night with a devastating combination of running and passing plays. They rushed for 178 yards - a huge key to victory as pointed out by yours truly earlier in the week. Enough cannot be said for the play of the offensive line, Quarterback Blaine Gabbert had plenty of time to throw, and they opened up huge holes for Missouri's running back by committee. They could by the best unit in college football, plus they have a Tackle named Elvis - that is awesome.

And what about Missouri's Defense? It wasn't quite the dominating performance we have seen from the Tigers D up to this point this season, but they were excellent when it counted. On numerous occasions Oklahoma would drive down the field only to be stymied in the red zone. D-Lineman, and Raytown's own Aldon Smith made a spectacular interception and run back halting one of Oklahoma's First Half drives.

If Mizzou can go on the road and get a win next week in Nebraska, they would be virtually guaranteed a spot in the Big 12 Title game - and win out (dare to dream) and the Tigers should get a shot a National Championship.