Missouri Options

[Hartmann]

At least we're getting some respect: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/stor...texanonline.com

[pysex]

At least we're getting some respect: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/stor...texanonline.com

Wow.

[GOB]

At least we're getting some respect: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/stor...texanonline.com

that's awesome


it's going to piss off the aggies because texas "likes" us

[schwab]

UT is a lot more respectable than A&M anyways, i dont see how anyone could like A&m over UT unless you go to school there

[schwab]

Missouri  (5-0) at  Texas Tech (4-1) 7 PM EST Saturday October 7th
Why to Watch: If you believe that Texas and Oklahoma are the two best teams in the Big 12, and Texas Tech, with its win over Texas A&M last week, is probably at a step below along with Nebraska, then Missouri, the last unbeaten team in the conference, is also in there. When all is said and done, the winner of this game will likely be no worse than fourth in the pecking order for bowl games, and will likely be the third choice if Nebraska plays like it did against Kansas last week. The Red Raiders are coming off a gut-check thriller in College Station last week with a last minute touchdown pass to Robert Johnson downing the Aggies 31-27. That might have been the moment when things turned around for a Red Raider offense that was inconsistent over the first few games, but now comes a battle against a Tiger defense that ranked second in the country and tenth against the pass. Missouri can firmly establish itself as a top contender for the Big 12 title with a win a win this week and with a trip to Texas A&M next week. Win those, and the nation will start to pay attention. This is a must win for Tech with road games over the next two weeks at Colorado and Iowa State before hosting Texas.
Why Missouri Might Win: The Tigers have played absolutely no one who can throw the forward pass, but the secondary is the real deal and the pass rush is the best in the conference ranking third in the nation with 20 sacks and 42 tackles for loss in the first five games. Mizzou is getting into the backfield from every angle and in every way led by an All-America caliber year from Brian Smith, so look for the timing of the Tech offense to be thrown off a little bit thanks to the pressure.
Why Texas Tech Might Win: Tech can light it up from anywhere on the field, but it'll certainly help if it gets solid field position. Missouri's punting game has been the one major weakness so far while the return game is nothing to jump up and down about. The Tigers are also having a few problems with turnovers lately. The Missouri defense is good enough to do what TCU did and shut down the Red Raider offense, but it hasn't been tested by anyone and it can't hold up if Graham Harrell and the boys are given several easy chances and short fields.
Who to Watch: Most fans familiar with the Texas Tech offense think of Joel Filani or Jarrett Hicks as the top targets, but Robert Johnson has developed into the team's leading receiver and the go-to guy in the clutch. After arriving to Lubbock as a superstar JUCO quarterback prospect, Johnson never adapted to the attack and was moved to receiver, where he came up with a solid 2005. The light has clicked on and he as exploded for 38 catches for 351 yards and six touchdowns in five games including the game-winner against A&M and a 15-grab day to start the year against SMU.
What Will Happen: The balance of the Missouri offense will end up being too much for Tech. The Red Raiders will get their yards and points, but the Tiger secondary will do just enough to slow things down late in the game.
CFN Prediction: Missouri 27 ... Texas Tech 23 ... Line: Texas Tech -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Rachael Ray) ... 4 

[Jwilly]

Preview
Texas Tech vs. Missouri

Preview   


  GAME: Missouri at Texas Tech
TIME: 07:00 P.M. EST
VENUE: Clifford B. & Audrey Jones Stadium



Missouri is unbeaten through five games for the first time in 25 years, but many believe the team hasn't defeated anyone worthy.

The 23rd-ranked Tigers can start answering their critics when they visit Texas Tech on Saturday.

Back-to-back road games against the Red Raiders (4-1, 1-0 Big 12) and Texas A&M should prove whether Missouri (5-0, 1-0) can remain a contender for the conference title, or if its fast start was the product of weak opposition.

The Tigers' first five opponents have won just six of their 25 games while Texas Tech and Texas A&M are a combined 8-2.

"I think these guys will respond to any challenge that is put in front of them," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "You don't start handing out trophies after five games. We all know that. I know what these guys will do. They'll compete."

The Tigers started 5-0 in 1981, but finished 8-4. The last time Missouri began a season with six straight wins was 1973, but that team also stumbled to an 8-4 finish.

The Tigers are the only undefeated team in the Big 12 after beating winless Colorado 28-13 in their conference opener last Saturday, but gave up 373 yards to an offense that entered the game ranked 113th in the nation.

Missouri's defense - ranked first going in - dropped to second in the country behind LSU.

"Stopping the run; that was a big thing," Tigers linebacker Dedrick Harrington said. "That's something we really need to stop if we want to stop teams down the road."

For the Tigers, who are trying to go to bowl games in consecutive years for the first time since 1997-98, it doesn't matter who they play.

"That's for the fans and that's for everybody else to figure out," quarterback Chase Daniel said. "We don't really worry about that. We just want to go out there and play our 'A' game."

Daniel has brought his best effort in his first year as the starter. The sophomore threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns against the Buffaloes, and has 13 touchdown passes this season.

"Obviously he has worked very hard, he's a successful guy," Pinkel said. "He has a lot of the 'its,' the intangibles that are necessary to be a good quarterback."

Texas Tech, which was ranked for the first three weeks of the season, enters this game on a high note after pulling out a last-minute win over Texas A&M last Saturday in its conference opener.

The Red Raiders trailed 27-24 with 26 seconds remaining when Robert Johnson made an acrobatic, 37-yard touchdown catch to give Texas Tech a 31-27 victory.

Quarterback Graham Harrell was named the Big 12's offensive player of the week after completing 32 of 45 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns - three to Johnson.

"That was what an offense wants, an opportunity to win the game," said Harrell, who leads the NCAA with 15 touchdown passes. "The last few plays, we got on the ball, got set, made the plays and won."

The Red Raiders just missed re-entering the Top 25 this week after receiving the most votes of any non-ranked team, and their high-powered offense should provide a stern test for the Missouri defense.

Texas Tech is ranked third in the country in passing with 347.6 yards per game while Missouri is 10th nationally in pass defense, allowing 143.2 yards a contest.

Daniel faces a similar situation as the Red Raiders are one spot ahead of Missouri, allowing 142.2 yards passing.

While both teams have strong defenses, the last two games in the series have been high-scoring affairs.

Missouri won 62-31 at home in 2003, one year after Texas Tech won 52-38 in Lubbock.

"It's going to be a real big shootout down there," Missouri receiver Will Franklin said. "Texas Tech has a good offense and we're looking forward to playing those guys."

so statistically, we are better. but for some reason, Mizzou is gonna win because they are 5-0 against mediocre teams. is tech mediocre?
and i guess they assume we suck at home. we havent lost at home since UT two years ago. lets think....

[GOB]

so statistically, we are better. but for some reason, Mizzou is gonna win because they are 5-0 against mediocre teams. is tech mediocre?
and i guess they assume we suck at home. we havent lost at home since UT two years ago. lets think....

it's an "important" game, so they probably assume we'll blow it.

[Mommy]

i honestly think Tech will lose.

[schwab]

i honestly think we will win

and this is coming after i honestly doubted us last weekend

the main factor for us to win is the home field advantage....which is a lot better for us than most people give us credit for

[Dogmeat]

i honestly think Tech will lose.

Girls should hush when it comes to football

[Mommy]

Girls should hush when it comes to football

yeah so shut your mouth, bitchmeat

[Jwilly]

Girls should hush when it comes to football

dude youre stupid

girls should shut their mouths when it comes to talking in general

[jonathan83]

Texas Tech has never won in Boulder, Colorado.

uhh, that's what i just said about 7 posts up.

[Aaron]

uhh, that's what i just said about 7 posts up.

Sorry. Searched the page for "Boulder" and, when nothing came up, let it loose.

Here's another stat to compensate: Gary Pinkel is 6-14 in conference road games.

[pysex]

Tech loses.

31-7