Bubble-burst weekend hit two teams all too familiar with title dreams being crushed when it seemed they were on the verge of a breakthrough.
Welcome to Missouri’s and Texas A&M’s world.
Over the weekend, both had a chance to step from “the verge” to legitimate contending status in their divisions, but again fell back into the pack with losses. Missouri lost 34-20 at Nebraska. Texas A&M lost 17-16 at home against Oklahoma.
This isn’t the first time each has crashed and burned. Last season, Missouri started 3-1 in Big 12 play with a win over Nebraska on Oct. 22. Expectations rose. Mizzou’s play fell. The Tigers lost to Kansas, Colorado and Kansas State to end their bid for a Big 12 title-game shot.
In 2004, the Tigers were predicted to contend for a Big 12 title-game berth with quarterback Brad Smith and a stout defense. But they played horrifically and finished 5-6.
Texas A&M was a surprising 5-0 in Big 12 play in 2004, and had a potential program-changing game against Oklahoma to prove its worth. The Aggies lost. Three weeks later, Texas A&M lost to Texas as well.
Missouri coach Gary Pinkel explained away his loss during Monday’s Big 12 teleconference: “There’s a lot out there. There’s a lot yet to accomplish. I thought in the last two games we got absolute ‘A’ performances from our last two opponents and we didn’t give them our ‘A’ game.”
Not bringing your top game when it counts is a problem. Right or wrong, it’s also part of the reason the Big 12 has little respect beyond Texas and Oklahoma. At least Texas A&M has a history of getting to, and winning, the Big 12 title. Missouri doesn’t. Both, however, are struggling to find that championship form.
Hawk on Boise State
CU coach Dan Hawkins insists he hasn’t had a bunch of time to check out other teams in the nation, but he has tried to keep an eye on his former team, Boise State. He talks periodically with coach Chris Petersen and others on the staff.
The 9-0 Broncos are one of five undefeated teams left in Division I-A, and are scrapping to get into a BCS bowl. They are 14th in the BCS standings.
Asked about Boise State’s BCS chances, Hawkins said: “I hope they’re great. They deserve to go. They have a great football team and have done a great job.”
In a phrase …
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,051 yards, 27 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Not bad for a freshman. Not expected, either.
If someone would have told UT coach Mack Brown before the season these would be the numbers at this point for his freshman signal-caller, he would have had one reaction: “I would have been shocked.”
Footnotes
Hawkins said injured center Mark Fenton (fibula), safety J.J. Billingsley (knee) and safety Ryan Walters (back) are wait-and-see cases for Saturday’s game against Iowa State. … Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said he hopes to get a number of his injured stars back for the game. The most prominent among those are wide receiver Todd Blythe (virus) and running back Stevie Hicks (knee).
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
