Battle of the undefeated: Missouri hosts Oklahoma

The Tigers are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

By John Montesantos

Published Oct. 22, 2010

Faurot Field will play host to two of the 10 remaining undefeated teams in the nation this weekend, as the 6-0 Tigers take on the 6-0 Sooners. Both teams come off blowout conference victories, with Missouri’s coming in a crucial road win over Texas A&M last week.

Saturday’s matchup has a lot more riding on it than the end of one team’s perfect record. The result will surely shake up the rankings, as the newly released BCS standings have Oklahoma at No. 1 and Missouri at No. 11, their highest debut position ever.

As for Big 12 standings, each team stands atop its division. Missouri is the only remaining unbeaten team in the Big 12 North after Nebraska’s loss, and Oklahoma is tied for first with Oklahoma State in the South division.

The matchup carries much historical significance as well, as Oklahoma has dominated the all-time series (66-23-5) and has beaten Missouri in their last seven meetings since 1998.

Sophomore wide receiver T.J. Moe and his teammates put little stock in historical significance. In his first year as a starter, the past is never on the mind of Missouri’s top target.

“We’re not living in the past right now,” Moe said. “This is the 2010 Missouri Tigers and the 2010 Oklahoma Sooners. We don’t care about the name on their uniform, we just know they’re a good football team and we’re going to play as hard as we can.”

The Big 12 rivalry between these two teams provides only a fraction of the hype for Saturday’s contest. With Missouri’s Homecoming as well as ESPN’s College Gameday coming to Columbia for the first time both adding to the anticipation, Tiger players will have to fight through many distractions.

Coach Gary Pinkel knows the visit from College GameDay will be good for the school and his football program, but his players will need to tune it all out.

"It’s great for the University of Missouri, our community, and it’s a way that sport can have a huge positive influence on our great university,” Pinkel said. “There’s going to be a lot of excitement on campus. But we will focus and prepare for this game like we’ve done for any other game.”

Senior linebacker Andrew Gachkar is proud of the recognition that Gameday will bring his team. But the defensive leader knows things like Gameday and Homecoming are for the fans, not the players.

“It’s the first time it’s ever happened here so we’re proud of it,” Gachkar said. “But we can’t throw a party. That’s for all the fans to enjoy. We just have to go out there and do our thing.”

Gachkar is third in tackles on a Tiger defense that is first in the Big 12 and second in the nation in points allowed. Missouri has allowed just over 10 points a game through six, including a shutout over Colorado.

The defense might be even stronger when Oklahoma comes to town, as sophomore standout defensive end Aldon Smith could possibly make his return from a three-week injury. The Tigers will go without senior linebacker Luke Lambert.

Missouri will be going for its first 7-0 start in 50 years at 7 p.m. Saturday.