Missouri is proving that late is better than never.
The quarterback is dangerous. The defense is fast and physical. The team is winning.
Weren’t we supposed to see these Tigers in 2004? Sure were. But somewhere between the Heisman hype surrounding quarterback Brad Smith and the expectations that Missouri was the team to beat in the Big 12 North, the Tigers took a wrong turn.
A downturn.
But, hey, this season seems as good as any to rekindle the flames. And the Tigers are doing just that.
Missouri’s biggest ally is that there is no attention. There are few expectations. No one is talking up Smith for the Heisman. Few pegged Missouri as the Big 12 North favorite. And that has allowed the Tigers to play loose, take what comes, deflect the bad stuff and do their thing without the glare of the spotlight.
Perhaps that’s why the Tigers are 5-2, 3-1 in the Big 12 and controlling their Big 12 championship destiny after defeating Nebraska 41-24 on Saturday.
“We’re driven,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “We’re just trying to get better each and every week. We’re competing hard. But we’re more driven, and I think that comes from the seniors.”
But as the season winds down to the final four conference games, it’s still fair to ask: Are the Tigers for real?
We know they can be Jekyll and Hyde – losing 45-35 to New Mexico in one game and destroying Nebraska in the second half Saturday.
But we’ll find out fast if they are a championship-caliber team.
If the Tigers get past Kansas and its rejuvenated offense in a rivalry game this weekend, and Colorado beats Kansas State, the Tigers and Buffaloes will meet Nov. 5 in Boulder in a game that will have huge implications on the North Division race.
Missouri has not won a league or division title since 1969. If that is to change, Tigers upperclassmen must lead the way.
“We went backwards last year, and (the seniors) didn’t like that and they wanted to get us back on track,” Pinkel said. “With their leadership, at least we’re going the right direction.”
Cyclones reloading
Every good division race needs a spoiler, and Iowa State looks like it will more than fit the bill this season. At 4-3, 1-3 Big 12, the Cyclones are looking to salvage their season. But based on their play over the past month, there is a real question about whether that can happen.
Reinforcements, however, are on the way.
Running back Stevie Hicks is expected to return to the Cyclones’ lineup this weekend at Texas A&M. His presence should energize an offense that had little punch with him out since conference play started. Hicks hasn’t played since getting one carry in Iowa State’s 27-20 loss at Nebraska on Oct 1.
“He’s been gone for a long time,” Cyclones coach Dan McCarney said of the Omaha product. “Obviously, it’s hurt our football team with his absence.”
At least it was a blowout
Texas Tech missed an opportunity to step into the big time with its 52-17 flameout loss at Texas on Saturday. But at least it wasn’t close.
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said the fact that the Red Raiders were blown out likely will make it easier for them to focus on beating Baylor this weekend.
“It shouldn’t be easier, but I think it might be,” Leach said. “I can’t specifically tell you why, but I think maybe when the margin of error is closer, there’s a little more second-guessing.”
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
