Corso can't pick Truman head again
The last two times Missouri was featured on College Gameday, including here in San Antonio for last year's Big 12 Championship, Lee Corso went for the Tiger mascot.
Saturday's matchup between No. 11 Missouri and No. 1 Texas features a sticky web of story lines that must be untangled before evaluating the game itself. It's going to be interesting how Corso and the crew break it all down on "College Gameday" Saturday morning. The Coach got awfully cozy in the Truman costume last season, but here's The Maneater's inside look on which mascot he'll don in 2008.
Last week's results
An explosive Missouri offense imploded last week against Oklahoma State under the senior leadership of quarterback Chase Daniel. Daniel threw three costly interceptions and didn't have much help from the backfield as sophomore tailback Derrick Washington rushed for only 11 yards on eight carries.
Yet the Tigers still put themselves in a legitimate position to win. With 2:35 remaining in the game Daniel and the offense took over on their own 35. After a couple quick first downs Daniel tried to force a throw while rolling out of the pocket and watched as it was picked off and the chance of winning disintegrated.
Missouri had complete let down in front of a sold-out Faurot Field.
Earlier in the day in Dallas the Longhorns were busy pulling of an upset of their own. Texas battled to knock of Oklahoma who was the No. 1 ranked team in the nation. They clawed back from 11 points down twice and eventually defeated the Sooners 45-35.
Junior quarterback Colt McCoy was everything Daniel wasn't on Saturday. He was 28 of 35 for 277 yards and a touchdown. McCoy's performance not only brought Texas to the top spot in the country's rankings, but also made him the new front-runner for the Heisman — a race that Daniel was winning just a week before.
History has its favorite
There are two extreme trends working against Missouri this week. The Tigers have not won a game in Austin since 1896 and are 0-10 against No. 1 ranked opponents.
The question is whether this is a good or bad thing for a Missouri team, which has developed a knack for rewriting history.
Two weeks ago MU embarrassed Nebraska 52-17 in Lincoln where they hadn't won since 1978. Last season the Tigers beat Colorado and Kansas State on the road, both places where they hadn't one in the past ten years.
But as the Cubs proved to us, 100-year trends are a bit tougher to break.
Something to prove
While coach Gary Pinkel makes it very clear that the state of Missouri is the Tigers primary source of recruiting, their second favorite spot is Texas. Twenty-eight Missouri players, including six starters, will be returning to their home state with something to prove.
The most notable Tiger Texan is, of course, Daniel who honored his commitment to Missouri despite a late reach by Mac Brown to keep him in state.
"I went my way and they went theirs and I think it's worked out great for both of us," Daniel said. "I've had the greatest experience of my life so far here at Missouri and I wouldn't change it for the world. Everything worked out perfectly; we're at the spot that I thought we would be this far into my career, even past it.
Back against the wall
Before the slip against Oklahoma State, Missouri's path to the National Championship certainly wasn't easy, but it was manageable. They could afford a loss in Austin, win out with a relatively soft conference schedule and then play in the Big 12 Championship game with a chance to compete for the National Championship.
No longer can the Tigers afford that loss in Texas. With two losses the dream of playing for the National title would be over.
Saturday's game presents two teams coming in from opposite worlds. One is riding high after an incredible victory over a fierce competitor. The other is down and one quick jab away from being knocked out.
With "College Gameday" bringing the national spotlight on this one get ready for a show. Emotions will overflow the field in a tight shootout, but the Longhorn's size and strength will prevail. Corso struts the Longhorn-head: Texas 52, Missouri 38.
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