Tigers in hole early in Big 12 North

The Tigers haven’t started at 0-3 in the Big 12 since 2002.

By Sean Leahy

Published Oct. 24, 2009

The Missouri Tigers blazed to a 4-0 start this season, but after three weeks of conference play, they suddenly have some catching up to do.

Losses to Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas on Saturday night mean for the first time in seven seasons Missouri has started 0-3 in the Big 12. The Tigers also find themselves only a game above .500 overall.

There is little margin for error the rest of the season if the two-time defending Big 12 North champions look to keep the crown in Columbia.

“It’s a pivotal point in the season, obviously,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. The sense of urgency has got to be here.”

The last time the Tigers dropped their first three conference games was when they fell to then-No. 3 Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas Tech in 2002.

That team went on to finish the season with a 5-7 overall record and a 2-6 conference mark.

As for the 2009 team, Pinkel said the time is now for the Tigers to pick things up.

“If we don’t start playing better, you’re never going to win a game,” Pinkel said. “You’ve got to play well.”

After Saturday’s games, Missouri remains at the bottom of the Big 12 North. Although it is only 5-3 overall, the Kansas State Wildcats stand at the head of the standings with a 3-1 conference record.

The rest of the North Division is hovering around the .500 mark in Big 12 play. Iowa State stands at 2-2 and is followed by Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado at 1-2.

The good news for Missouri is, except for Nebraska, it plays each of those teams before the season ends.

“We got to come out and win these next Big 12 games that we have because, other than that, we have no choice,” junior tailback Derrick Washington said. “We want to get to the Big 12 Championship. It’s hard to bounce back from three losses, but I think we’re capable of doing it.”

Missouri looks to get back in the win column against Colorado this Saturday in Boulder, Colo.

The Tigers have won the last two games against Colorado by a combined 103 points.

Missouri comes home to play Baylor on Nov. 7 before heading out to play the Wildcats on the road Nov. 14.

The Tigers then come home to play the Cyclones on Nov. 21 and are in Kansas City to finish the season against the Jayhawks on Nov. 28.

“We’ve got a decision to make,” senior wide receiver Danario Alexander said. “What type of team are we going to be? We got Colorado next week and we’ve got to get focused for it.”

For Washington, the goal of getting to the Big 12 Championship game is still within reach.

“It’s still possible,” Washington said. “Everybody’s got to get that mind set that we can still do it. Once everybody gets on the same page, then we’ll be fine.”

Alexander said the team has to take the season one week at a time.

“We can’t look down the road,” Alexander said. “We just got to focus in on the game and get a win.”