FanNation - The Republic of Sport

so...

2007 was quite the year for the tigers.  every year my cousin tells me will be the year and, even though i agreed that this year would be better than most years, i had no idea what was about to happen.

the tigers reached the top for a week but were stuffed by OU for a second time.  the BCS (bogus conspiracy suckfest) shorted mizzou out of a BCS game even though their only losses were to the same team.  they were even ranked in the top 8.  the BCS continued to insult MU by pairing them against Arkansas.  sure, there backfield was loaded and they did play well in the toughest conference in football but they were no match for the tigers and mizzou completely trounced them, reminding all of those white collars in the BCS offices that the tigers were truly deserving of a bigger bowl game.  sorry, there goes the point.  what's past is past. 

2008

the season starts with "the arch rivalry" against illinois and, honestly, im worried.  illinois is the same cinderella that mizzou is only they are in the big 10.  they haven't really been contenders for years but have come out of the shadows with a bang.  my prediction... tigers let juice do a little too much damage but chase, chase, and maclin pull out a big offensive season opener.  tigers win 45-38.

the tigers should cruise past southeast missouri, nevada, and buffalo.  they should also be ashamed if they don't put up big numbers (im talking 40+ points and at least a 30pt margin of victory).  the tigers will get 2 weeks to prepare for for their october 4th showdown at nebraska.  even though the tigers routed the huskers 41-6 last year in columbia, dont expect the same result this season.  the cornhuskers will be back with the power and speed they brought to the field during their decade unbeaten streak against MU but they will not have the size to finish off the tigers.  the huskers quadruple last years score but the tigers match thier 2007 score... MU wins 41-24

oklahoma state should pose little threat to the tigers and the should make it to austin, tx as th 6-0 big 12 north leaders.  texas is one of those teams that has the potential to play for a big 12 championship on a yearly basis (assuming k-state doesnt get in the way).  the constant obstacle for them is, of course, OU.  like i said, texas has the potential to hand the tigers thier first loss of the season but i feel that the tigers would need to be down several key players (injury) in order for that to happen.  chase daniel is too polished and the spread is too complicated, even for mack brown. the tigers produce another high scorer and big plays on defense carry mizzou to thier 7th victory of the season 45-44.

mizzou will slaughter colorado and baylor and face tougher than expected k-state and iowa state  but will come out with an 11-0 record and a top contender to play in the national title game.

the tigers pounce into arrowhead stadium on november 29th to face their biggest threat in over a month.  the GAYhawks will have proved by now that they were not as good as their one-loss '07 season showed them to be but still a solid team that has a good shot at finishing #2 in the big 12 north.  todd reesing gives an impressive performance but chase edges todd out on daniel's way to another top 5 finish in the heisman race.  tigers win 34-21.

the oklahoma sooners will also be undefeated when the two teams meet up in the big 12 championship game, the winner with a free pass to the BCS championship game.  my prediction... ha ha.  its far too early to know by now.  stay tuned, friends and God bless (all but the jayhaks (just kidding (not really))).

matt wunderlich