It’s safe to say that Missouri will not sneak up on anyone this season. The Tigers lost only two games last season - both to Oklahoma.
The Sooners are not on the schedule this season - unless Oklahoma and Missouri meet again in the Big 12 championship game.
By the time Colorado travels to Columbia in late October, Missouri will either be the real deal in the national title race or exposed as a pretender.
The Tigers open with a re-match with Illinois at St. Louis (the Tigers won, 40-34, last season in a game which did not receive near as much attention as this season’s game will), and will have faced off against Nebraska in Lincoln (a place where the Tigers last won in 1978) and against Texas in Austin (a place where the Tigers haven’t won since—gulp—1896!).
If Colorado is facing an undefeated Missouri team in late October, the Buffs may be facing the No. 1 team in the country.
Why Buff fans should look forward to this game with optimism:
1) Oct. 25. The date for the 2008 Colorado/Missouri is a special one for Buff fans.
October 25, 1986: Colorado 20, No. 3 Nebraska 10. The game which launched the Buffs back into the national spotlight after a ten year absence.
The game which planted the seed which led to a national championship four years later. Want more Oct. 25 karma? Oct. 25, 1969: Colorado 31, No. 5 Missouri 24.
2) 1-2 Missouri? The Tigers open conference play against Nebraska in Lincoln. Missouri hasn’t won in Lincoln since the Carter administration.
Trust me, I will be rooting for the Tigers on Oct. 4, but I would not be surprised if the Cornhuskers win the emotional conference opener. Then, after a home game against Oklahoma State (not a gimme), the Tigers travel to Austin to play Texas.
The Longhorns will be coming off of their encounter against Oklahoma (Texas has won the game played immediately after the Red River showdown 10 years in a row), and playing their first conference home game of 2008.
Three tough games to open Big 12 play—Missouri may be coming off a loss (or two) suiting up against the Buffs.
3) Restoration of Order. The Buffs are 8-3 against Missouri at Faurot Field since 1986. Included in those wins is the bizarre 33-31 win in 1990 (the "Fifth down game") and a wild, 42-35 overtime win in 2002.
Call it fate. Call it karma. Call it the Buffs' lucky day. We’ll need all of the above against a talented Missouri team.
Why there is reason for Buff fans to lose sleep the night before the game:
1) Chase Daniel. Daniel was the Big 12 Offensive player of the year in 2007, and a Heisman finalist. Toys for Daniel to play with in 2008: Jeremy Maclin, who had over 1,000 yards receiving as a freshman, and tight end Chase Coffman, who already possesses the team record for touchdown catches.
If the Tigers can find a tailback to replace Tony Temple, an offense which ranked in the top ten nationally last year in passing offense, total offense, and scoring will be even better.
2) 55-10. In their two losses to Oklahoma, Missouri scored 31 and 17 points. In their other 12 games in 2007, the Tigers never scored fewer than 36 points. Seven times, Missouri posted over 40 points.
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