There is nothing but exciting times in Columbia, Missouri these days. The school announced earlier this fall that that they would defect from the Big 12 to join the powerful SEC.
Its a move that could potentially move the University of Missouri football program into the upper echelon's of major college football. It worked that way for their neighbors to the South in Arkansas.
Or, if things don't go right, the move to the SEC could make the last decade of improving play under Gary Pinkel irrelevant. Mizzou could slide into the the basement of the conference, forever inferior to the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Florida.
Which is exactly why Mizzou's Monday night game against the University of North Carolina in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana is so important.
Mizzou must win on Monday night in order to start their future in the SEC on the right foot. And they must do so in convincing fashion.
2011 can be summarized in two ways for Pinkel's Tigers. It was a season of growth for the Tigers, as they were led by promising sophomore quarterback James Franklin.
It was also a season of blown opportunities. Mizzou blew chances for victories against Arizona State, Kansas State, and Baylor and easily could have finished the season with 10 wins as opposed to their 7-5 final result.
And because of the missed opportunities under a new, young quarterback, Mizzou can not afford to miss another in the last game they play before they are officially a member of the SEC.
Mizzou must dominate a North Carolina team that was just 3-5 in the ACC.
Mizzou must steam roll over a Tar Heels club that failed to collect a victory over a Top 25 team this season.
Mizzou must simply destroy North Carolina on Monday night, a team that they are clearly better than on paper.
Because that is what SEC schools do. They do not have seasons stamped by growing pains. SEC schools can not afford to blow opportunities for victories against high quality opponents. SEC teams simply do not lose to North Carolina in a bowl game. Period.
So if Mizzou wants to get off on the right foot and make an early impression as they enter the SEC, they must destroy North Carolina and set the tone right now for next season. It is too important not too.
A big win can only help Mizzou against the daunting challenge of competing in the SEC on an annual basis for the foreseeable future.
A loss may be a precursor of SEC mediocrity forever.
Sources:
Its a move that could potentially move the University of Missouri football program into the upper echelon's of major college football. It worked that way for their neighbors to the South in Arkansas.
Or, if things don't go right, the move to the SEC could make the last decade of improving play under Gary Pinkel irrelevant. Mizzou could slide into the the basement of the conference, forever inferior to the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Florida.
Which is exactly why Mizzou's Monday night game against the University of North Carolina in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana is so important.
Mizzou must win on Monday night in order to start their future in the SEC on the right foot. And they must do so in convincing fashion.
2011 can be summarized in two ways for Pinkel's Tigers. It was a season of growth for the Tigers, as they were led by promising sophomore quarterback James Franklin.
It was also a season of blown opportunities. Mizzou blew chances for victories against Arizona State, Kansas State, and Baylor and easily could have finished the season with 10 wins as opposed to their 7-5 final result.
And because of the missed opportunities under a new, young quarterback, Mizzou can not afford to miss another in the last game they play before they are officially a member of the SEC.
Mizzou must dominate a North Carolina team that was just 3-5 in the ACC.
Mizzou must steam roll over a Tar Heels club that failed to collect a victory over a Top 25 team this season.
Mizzou must simply destroy North Carolina on Monday night, a team that they are clearly better than on paper.
Because that is what SEC schools do. They do not have seasons stamped by growing pains. SEC schools can not afford to blow opportunities for victories against high quality opponents. SEC teams simply do not lose to North Carolina in a bowl game. Period.
So if Mizzou wants to get off on the right foot and make an early impression as they enter the SEC, they must destroy North Carolina and set the tone right now for next season. It is too important not too.
A big win can only help Mizzou against the daunting challenge of competing in the SEC on an annual basis for the foreseeable future.
A loss may be a precursor of SEC mediocrity forever.
Sources:
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