You won't hear Missouri Tigers head football coach Gary Pinkel say "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Pinkel could care less that the Colorado Buffaloes final run through the Big 12 Conference begins Saturday at Faurot Field in Columbia. He's only worried the resurgence of Colorado's program.
"We start with Colorado who is playing very, very well,"
said Pinkel "They had very impressive win over Georgia Saturday night."
Impressive indeed. Picked last in the Big 12 North, the Buffaloes have opened the season 3-1 equalling its win total from a season ago. Buffs head coach Dan Hawkins is preaching the beginning of a new season.
"Last week has nothing to do with this week,"
said Hawkins. "We’re excited to get going in conference play."
The turnaround starts at the quarterback position. Junior Tyler Hanson has managed the offense throwing for eight touchdowns against seven interceptions. Pinkel knows hes's the secret to Colorado's success.
"I'm very, very impressed with him and how he is quarterbacking now,"
said Pinkel. "He's using his athleticism, his quickness and his speed and puts a lot of pressure on the defense in many, many ways."
The Tigers too are led by their quarterback Blaine Gabbert. His numbers, however, are no surprise to Mizzou fans. Gabbert has connected on five touchdowns, averaging 260 passing yards a game leading the Tigers to an expected 4-0 record. Gabbert's ready his second run through the Big 12 Conference slate.
"We ended the non-conference season 4-0 like we wanted but now the games are tough every week,"
said Gabbert. "Everybody is competitive in the Big 12 and we're excited to play Colorado."
That's not been the case between the two schools recently. The Tigers have owned the Hawkins-led Buffs the past four seasons. Mizzou has outscored Colorado 177-40 in those wins. None of the outcomes have been close.
"It's the last time they're coming to Mizzou, the last time we're playing them so it's kind of just in the back of your mind,"
said senior Missouri cornerback Kevin Rutland. "You use it to fuel your fire but it's not in the forefront or anything."
The Tigers and Buffaloes kickoff at 6:10PM Saturday night in Columbia. Fox Sports Midwest will broadcast the game.
Extra Points:
-Missouri is playing for a 5-0 start for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
-Receiver T.J. Moe leads the nation in receptions with 37. Tight end Michael Egnew is fifth with 32 catches.
-Colorado's return to Faurot Field marks the 20th anniversary of the infamous 5th Down Game October 6th, 1990. Colorado scored a touchdown on the last play winning 33-31. The Buffaloes won the National Championship after beating Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.
