Chase Daniel and Missouri were a wonderful story last season. So much so that some lovestruck head in the clouds media actually believe the Tigers are a darkhorse bet to play for all the poll votes in the national championship game.
Go ahead and read that again. I'll wait until you're done laughing.
Then you can wait until I'm done laughing before we talk further.
Look at the Tigers' schedule and be honest. How many gimmes are there for a program that will hardly be confused with LSU, USC, Texas, Ohio State, OU, Florida or any other power.
I see 7 games -- 7 -- that Gary Pinkel's mutts could lose. Not saying the boys the Columbia will lose 2, 3 or 7 but that's how many times I believe they will be exposed to high risk.
Illinois is rebuilding fast under Ron "Shady" Zook's recruiting. Coach Bo Pelini has talent and he'll force feed the Huskers toughness. He also gets the Tigers in Lincoln. Oklahoma State pours points on teams like syrup on pancakes. Easy and with saturation. Texas produces test tubes full of talent in its' own state, earmarked for Austin and they know how to win 9 and 10 games a season there. Colorado got scorched last year in Boulder but could be dangerous. Kansas State is skittish but capable. Kansas, while missing a lot of USDA beef on the roster from a year ago still has Mark Mangino's intelligence and one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 in Todd Reesing.
So forgive me if I find it a "given" that Misery is a lock to be a top-5 team and a serious national title contender.
Being liberal, I say the Tigers tear off 10 wins. Being a staunch conversative, I'll go with 8 or 9 wins. That's a nice season by Tiger standards. BMOC, actually, but certainly not title-conversation worthy.
Melissa Haro
Brooklyn Decker
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