4-0 and a well deserved rest.

The last non conference game the Missouri Tigers lost was the 2006 Sun Bowl to Oregon State. That record will at least stand until December, 2009. (or hopefully January 2010) Once again the Tigers started slow, but took over in the 2nd half to earn a 31-21 victory over the Nevada Wolfpack in Reno. Blaine Gabbert, in his 4th career start completed 25 of 39 passes for 414 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has yet to throw and interception this season. Let me repeat that. He has yet to throw an interception this season. Before the season started I said he might well have the best arm we've seen in Columbia since Jeff Handy. I underestimated him terribly. We've never seen a quarterback with this kind of arm strength in black & gold. It's scary to think what this kid may accomplish once he actually polishes his mechanics. He throws 50 yard bombs off his back foot and lasers to the right sideline while scrambling to his left. Is he going to have off days this season when he faces better defenses? Absolutely! But he's got a howitzer attached to his right shoulder blade and this kid could well take us on a hell of a ride the next 2 1/2 years.
Danario Alexander continues to show why he had beaten out Jeremy Maclin at the start of the 2007 season before he was injured in the opener against Illinois. All he did Friday night was catch 9 passes for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Fellow senior Jared Perry added 8 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown and sophomore Wes Kemp caught 3 balls for 99 yards, including a sliding 3rd down reception to keep the 4th quarter drive alive that basically was a knife to the heart of the Wolfpack. Knowing Missouri fans as I do, we'll spend all off season worrying that both Gabbert and Kemp will leave early for the NFL after next season. Hey, we're Mizzou fans. That's how we roll.
My one worry with the offense was the continued inability to get the running game going in the first half. Derrick Washington finished with 71 yards on 16 carries but was ineffective until the Nevada defense had worn down. The Tigers will need to be able to run the ball better against conference foes starting October 8th with the hicks invading Columbia.
On defense, Will Ebner stepped in for Luke Lambert at middle linebacker and did a stellar job. I wouldn't be surprised if he is the starter for the remainder of his career. He has a mean streak about a yard wide and delivers hits that would make Ray Lewis proud. 'Spoon was 'Spoon, and Aldon Smith is going to be the best defensive end we've had since another Smith named Justin. The run defense left something to be desired, but they came up big when needed, forcing a turnover on the first play of the 4th quarter inside their 5 yard line, that led to the 97 yard clinching drive.
Now the team has earned a week off before the conference season begins and Bo Pelini's corndogs invade Faurot Field. Excuse me; The Zou. I predicted a 34-24 Tigers win in this game, so it got my week off to a good start.
It managed to keep going pretty well as the weekend continued. For the week I went 9-1 outright and 5-2 vs the spread. Overall I'm standing 35-8 outright and 24-16 vs the point spread. We'll see whether that continues once conference season starts.
I had kansas picked to cover the 14 point spread against Southern Mississippi by a 45-28 score. I really had some 2nd thoughts about it after the mid week fights between the football and basketball teams. The beaks failed to cover but won 35-28. While Southern Miss. was 3-0 coming into the game, they'd failed to impress. They displayed a little defense today and kansas looked undisciplined which is remarkable knowing what a taskmaster Mark "the human sweat gland" Mangino is. The redlegs committed 9 penalties for 84 yards and allowed Frodo Reesing to get hit numerous times. If they can't tighten up the offensive line he'll have real problems surviving the OU and Texas defensive fronts. But the bottom line about that is, who gives a shit? I just wish the bastards had lost outright.
I had K State picked as a 31-10 winner over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, but was somewhat surprised when they pounded out a 49-7 victory. The Wildcats finished the non conference season a respectable 2-2 and now move to their conference opener in the first annual pillow fight against Iowa State at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. At least it offers fans of both teams the opportunity to drink with impunity during what could be one of the worst football games of the weekend.
I thought it was about time that Texas got things ramped up and humiliate the hapless Miners of UTEP by a score of 52-17, covering the 35 point spread. UTEP was a bit more hapless than I thought falling 64-7. Mack Brown felt that he hadn't run it up enough last year and that allowed OU to pass them for the NC game. Mission accomplished this week. Now they have a week off to prepare for Dan Hawkins and the Colorado Buffaloes.
There was no line on the Baylor vs Northwestern State Demons. I picked the Bears to win 44-7 knowing nothing about the Demons. The final was 68-13 Baylor as they improve to 2-1 and Northwestern State falls to 0-4. Baylor has progressed to the point where they should be expected to dominate a game like this so welcome to expectations. They face another sister of the poor next week hosting Kent State.
Iowa State moved to 3-1 with a 31-10 win over the Black Knights of Army. I had Iowa State picked 31-17. I don't believe the Cyclones are a good team, but I do think they've profited by Gene Chizik leaving to go coach Auburn. Up next week is Farmageddon against the Wildcats.
Nebraska opened as a 26 point favorite against Louisiana Lafayette in Hooterville. The Ragin' Cajuns had a win against a Big XII north team, beating Kansas State earlier in the year. I'd predicted a 38-9 hick win but they pounded out a 55-0 victory to claim a share of the Sun Belt
Conference title. Combined with the Virginia Tech throttling of Miami and the husker faithful can finally proclaim that order has indeed been restored and they are now a top 10 team. They'll now have 12 days to concentrate on making new goofy tee shirts and posters before the Oct. 8th game in Columbia.
Oklahoma State played Grambling State and won 56-6. No line on the game but I'd picked it 42-13. I had A&M covering a 15 1/2 point spread over UAB by a 38-10 score. They actually covered by a 56-19 score. Big deal.
The last interesting score of the week was Texas Tech visiting Houston. The Cougars opened as a 1 point favorite and won 29-28 due in part to some questionable decisions by Red Raider coach Mike Leach. I'd picked Tech to win 27-24 so it was my only straight up loss for the week. Not sure how the point spread thing works but I did count it as a loss there also. It's not like I gamble anyway.
I'll have my predictions up for the week by Thursday again I think. 4 Big XII teams are taking the week off so I'll take a look at some other conferences also. Have a great week folks!