Missouri vs Nevada, 2009

Missouri vs. Nevada 2009

Speedblog

The Big 12 puzzles me, how can a conference that had so many power players be ranked so low this year? Texas Tech wasn’t ranked at the beginning of the year, Oklahoma State isn’t getting a lot of love, Oklahoma lost early and Missouri wasn’t ranked at the beginning of the year.

What’s up with that?

The Big 12 has 4 teams that are, to this point, undefeated, and Missouri is one of those teams. Tonight they play Nevada on a road game that will definitely place them in the top 25 in both polls should they win.

At the moment they are not ranked in one poll, and #21 in another. This is a game they need to win to justify their power…and the Big 12 as well.

You remember Missouri doncha? Went 10-4 last year, losing only to teams with a top 25 number in front of them? A high powered offense that hung 69 points on Nevada last year…oh wait, that’s who they play tonight.

That makes this game a little more interesting.

Nevada comes out of the Western Athletic Conference, and finished last year with a 7-6 record. Their big claim to fame last year was losing to Boise State by 7 points, but is known as a high scoring team…much like Missouri was last year.

The Wolf Pack, not to be confused with NC State, did win 7 games, but one might highly question the strength of those wins. Their six losses came to superior teams, such as Texas Tech, Missouri, Boise State and Maryland, who combined for 187 points…or about 40+ a game…defense could be a problem.

But Nevada also scores well too, the problem is that they have to with a porous defense. Outside of the Grambling win 49-13, most of their other games have been kinda close. Very few wins from Nevada were of quality, possibly showing an average team at best, despite what people tried to say on ESPN about them being a good football team only when Notre Dame played them.

But Missouri has to deal with new weapons on offense, gone are the glory days of Chase Daniel, who was an excellent quarterback. Still there is some offense left on this team, having scored 37 against Illinois. Beating Furman doesn’t really count, and one wonders about that close game against Bowling Green…hmmm.

There is no question that Missouri is favored, as they should be. With no conference games under their belts, it is critical for the Tigers to jump out to a 4-0 start, which will definitely get them ranked on both polls. As long as Nevada does not have a top 25 ranking on them, then Missouri should be fine, but beware Tigers, this Nevada team loves that end zone, although their defense seems to be quite charitable.

I can’t see an upset here, even though Nevada is home and Missouri has a new quarterback, but I’ll give it to Missouri by 13 points.