Day after reflections-Buffalo

A few thoughts that came to me while trying to get through the Tyler Thigpen Show this afternoon:

• Like most people, I wasn't thrilled with yesterday's performance but I actually think there were more positives to take away from that game than negatives. The defense was markedly better. Sean Weatherspoon (20 tackles) and Brock Christopher (13 tackles) were everywhere, especially Spoon. Brian Smith had the New Mexico game where he had three sacks and made the national media take note of him. Pig Brown had Texas Tech. This might have been Spoon's coming out party. It was also good to see Ziggy Hood get in the backfield and pick up a couple sacks. Oh, and that blitz the Tigers ran with Willy Mo in Armageddon that I talked about in Thursday's post? Mizzou ran the same exact play in the fourth quarter with Castine Bridges with the same result. Things are getting better.

• Another reason it's hard for me to be upset about this game is because I know it wasn't that long ago that this would have been a game the Tigers would've probably lost. A few tough turnovers. The opposing team makes a few big plays. In the past, that was a recipe for disaster. But this team wasn't rattled. That's because this team has leaders. After fumbling, Chase Coffman comes back and catches a touchdown. The possession following that failed fourth down conversion, Chase Daniel connects on a 69-yard pass to Tommy Saunders. A touchdown followed shortly after. That's leadership. 

• I loved the comparison Matter made in his blog today about Mizzou's offense: "The Tigers’ offense is like pizza and you know what else — even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good. "

• Good to see Super Danario make a nice touchdown grab. Especially since he got shaken up early in the game. He took a hit in the corner of the end zone very early and appeared to have hurt his leg pretty badly (can't remember which leg). It might have been a situation where he took a hard hit that normally wouldn't be a big deal but he's still a little nervous about re-injuring that ACL. 

• My biggest complaint about this game? The wave that broke out in the third quarter when the Tigers were only up six points and the outcome of the game was still in doubt. Seriously, whoever started that, I've got a finger about an inch away from my thumb for you. Bill Simmons has written at length about how when a sports team starts getting good there's an influx of fans that he refers to as the "pink hat crowd" (because they tend to be the ones who wear those weird shirts and hats that have alternate colors). They show up not really to watch the game but because it's the hip place to be. They don't understand football and probably enjoy the bands as much as they do the football being played. Too many times these types of fans have ruined the atmosphere of their team's respective venue. It appears the Zou has gotten its fair share of these assholes as well. The wave was awesome last year when it got started during the Nebraska game because it was the ultimate we're-beating-you-so-badly-that-we-need-something-else-to-entertain-ourselves gesture I've ever seen. But doing it halfway through the third quarter of a close game was nothing short of disgusting. If I ever meet the person who started that they can expect a foot right in the crotch. 

• Other than the wave-of-shame, I thought the crowd of 65,000 was great. How sweet is it to have the bleachers put up behind the endzone for freakin' Buffalo? I can remember those not being put out until halfway through conference season. 

• And finally, in regards to Chase Daniel: RIDICULOUS. What more can you say? Mizzou fans need to be cherishing every second this guy spends in a Tigers uniform. In the 106 year history of the University of Missouri's football program the school has never produces a Heisman winner. Chase has established himself as the early favorite to win it this year. We're literally watching history. Enjoy it.