When the party for the so-called “Big Time” football schools gets started for next season, the Missouri Tigers will have an invitation.
The Tigers’ sound thrashing of SEC member Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl was a great way to finish a remarkable season at 12-2. Aside from the two losses to Oklahoma, the Tigers found themselves wowing
their opponents with their spread offense.
The key to the 38-7 Cotton Bowl victory, though, was the Missouri defense, which finished the season by neutralizing Heisman Trophy candidate Darren MacFadden of Arkansas.
Head coach Gary Pinkel has it all working for him now.
Having gone to four bowl games in five years, being nationally ranked in the top 10 and having a stable coaching staff will certainly help with recruiting.
The Tigers will loose a few important players.
St. Louisan William Franklin, who was instrumental in the resurgence of Mizzou football relevance in the St.
Louis area recruiting wars, will move on and will be playing on Sundays as will tight end Martin Rucker.
The key for Mizzou next season will be replacing three of the five offensive
linemen. They were the cornerstones of the most potent offense in the history of the school.
It might seem like an eternity ago, but there was a time where adapting to Columbia, Mo.,
was somewhat of a challenge for black athletes.
Whether winning cures all, we shall see. But this certainly going to be the season that
will be remembered for some time.
As for the BCS and the various bowl committees, let this be a lesson learned.
Teams should be rewarded for what they do on the field and not the pre-conceived notions that because you come from a certain conference or you get a free pass.
May I also remind you that cutting side deals to enhance your opportunities to play in the Orange Bowl can come back to show you had no business playing in that game in the first
place.
When it comes to next season the key will be recruiting. The Tigers are in a great situation. They were able to practice and play in the state of Texas where they recruit a number of players. The local area has players from schools who have had few if any players ever set foot in Columbia before now.
The expectations will be greater. Gary Pinkel knows it and he and his staff will be ready for it. Now that Mizzou has arrived, it will be hard to get them to leave this party.