Missouri Vs. Tn

[moguy1973]

Looks like the experts predict Missouri finishing 6th in the SEC and playing in the Gator Bowl with Minnesota...

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/bowl-projections-post-week-11-edition-135304002--ncaaf.html

[Wayne SW/MO]

Personally I think they are in the wild guessing mode at this point rather than the educated prediction mode. There are some games left that can alter their prediction considerably. Mizzou isn't that far from an 11-2 record and a 12-1 isn't impossible. Auburn isn't a sure loser to AL in their rivalry.

A lot of teams are past their sure wins and into the area where a few mistakes, rather than ability, makes the difference. Oregon Stanford was a case of Oregon stumbling and then not abale to overcome it because of Stanford's strength. There are some games left for some top 10 teams where a turnover, missed FG or dropped pass can turn things.

[ozark trout fisher]

The discussion about potential bowl games is heating up. A lot of SEC bowls could still go for Missouri, and of course the main factor is whether we win our last two games (and if so, whether we can at least hang with Alabama or Auburn.) But here's how I understand it.....

Lose our last two to finish 9-3:likely a trip to the Gator Bowl vs a middle of the road Big Ten opponent. Worst case scenario would be the Music City Bowl to play a lower ACC team. But that would have to be considered pretty unlikely at this point. Vandy is eligible and will very likely be assigned to this bowl game in its hometown again.

If we finish 10-2: This is where it gets real complicated. The Sugar Bowl opens as a possibility, if a few things fall our way, so in other words forget about it. The realistic options would be the Outback Bowl against one of the top Big Ten teams or the Cotton Bowl in all likelihood. The feeling is that even though the Cotton goes with a west team usually, the relative proximity of Mizzou to Dallas compared to the Florida games could send us that direction to play a Big 12 team. The Capital One Bowl is the likely best case scenario, which would probably be against Michigan State or Wisconsin (the top Big Ten teams that probably won't be in the Rose Bowl.) The Chick-Fil-A bowl (likely vs. Clemson, Duke, Miami, or Virginia Tech) is also possible.

Win out and lose in the title game: It'll probably either be the Capital One, Cotton, or Outback. Probably not much different from the above scenario, again, with an outside shot at the Sugar Bowl.

Win out and win SEC title: armageddon occurs, so no bowl game.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Mizzou/Baylor would be a great bowl for both.

[ozark trout fisher]

Mizzou/Baylor would be a great bowl for both.

Yep, I would greatly enjoy it. Would probably require Baylor to fall to the Cotton Bowl though, which most likely means losing to Oklahoma State this weekend. Could see that happening, but I've now seen enough of Baylor to think they're on a path to a likely 12-0 record.

I was not impressed with their early schedule but they've handled a serious uptick in difficulty beautifully. OU is a top 25 team and Tech not that far off. Baylor beat both pretty easily. If FSU or Bama loses, it will be interesting whether it is them or Ohio State in the title-but for entertainment purposes, I'd rather see Baylor and that offense. If they make it past OSU on the road this weekend they should be in excellent shape.

[stlfisher]

I don't really want MU to play in the Sugar (and it probably is not going to work anyway) as the opponent would likely be UCF....that does not excite me at all. MU/Baylor would be a good game, but I think both programs would be better served playing a traditional powerhouse and showing well than playing each other, and I don't really dislike Baylor...so it is not as fun:)

I would rather fall below and play a more "traditional power." I think Baylor would probably be better served that way as well. Just my 2 cents.

I still think MU takes care of Ole Miss this weekend...we are the better team IMO, but an away game at night is always difficult. Should be fun.

[Wayne SW/MO]

and I don't really dislike Baylor...so it is not as fun:)

Yeah but they are very unlikely to meet Ohio State, So Cal or Notre Dame.

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't really want MU to play in the Sugar (and it probably is not going to work anyway) as the opponent would likely be UCF....that does not excite me at all.

Yes, this is a fantastic point. Plus we just played UCF last season anyway, and we beat them even with our 2012 outfit. I realize they are better this year, but that much better? I would have thought so before, but they did not look like a world beater against Temple.

In my opinion, it's kinda silly that the AAC gets an autobid. I think one mid-major should get in to the BCS, but the way it is now two are almost certain to get in, between the AAC champ and the higher ranked of Fresno/NIU. But that will be the system starting next year.....where the "group of 5" gets one guaranteed spot including the AAC.

As for Ole Miss-I think my prediction is a close Missouri win. But I'm nervous. It will depend a lot on how rusty Franklin is. I think it will likely be exciting and down to the wire.

[stlfisher]

I agree OTF the auto bid seems kind of silly. UCF is a fine team, but they are not Top 10. I don't really care about a BCS bowl that much. I just want a good matchup. I think MU/Clemson would be a great matchup. Baylor/Oregon would be awesome, but doubt that would work.

And I am nervous about the game this weekend too, but I was nervous against Kentucky. I am always nervous every game. I pace, I rant, I talk to myself. I put my 5 month old son in his Mizzou gear.

I do what I do. Pinkel would be proud, but my wife is highly annoyed.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've never liked the auto bids either. Some teams have made good showings and some haven't, but playing an easy schedule and then getting a win over some team who has fought all season doesn't prove all they think it does, IMO.

Boise State was a good example. A big part of their success was in plays that weren't seen in the regular season because they never needed them. How does a team get ready for an opponent who never shows tendencies during the regular season because they don't have too?