Nebraska-Missouri could be for Big 12 North supremacy

By Josh Lashley  |   Monday, June 04, 2007  |  Comments( 10 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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When Nebraska travels to Columbus, Mo., this fall, it will try to accomplish something that it hasn't been able to since the 2001 season -- and that is defeat the Missouri Tigers on their home turf. The last two times the Cornhuskers stepped onto Faurot Field, in 2003 and 2005, they were handed matching 41-24 defeats.

If Nebraska is to be the outright ruler of the Big 12 North this season, that losing skid on the road in Missouri will have to end on Oct. 6. Head coach Gary Pinkel, who guided the Tigers to an 8-5 overall mark last season, would like to make it three triumphs in row at home versus the Huskers.

Missouri should have an assortment of weapons on offense, led by junior quarterback Chase Daniel, a threat with his arm or his legs. Senior tailback Tony Temple, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2006, returns to greatly propel the Tigers' running attack. Temple recorded seven touchdowns last season.

When Daniel decides to go to the air, he should find some very capable targets. Senior Will Franklin, who caught 48 passes for over 800 yards before getting injured late in the 2006 season, should be back. Tom Saunders, a junior, is another wide receiver to watch.

Two players who could greatly aid the Tigers in moving the ball downfield are tight ends Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker. Coffman, a junior, and Rucker, a senior, had 58 and 53 receptions, respectively, last fall.

While the offense has the potential to be quite powerful, Missouri's defense may be shaky, which could lead to somewhat of a shootout against the Huskers. Lorenzo Williams is a senior nose tackle who tallied six sacks in 2006. He should provide stability along the defensive front. Linebacker Brock Christopher (junior) is back after posting 87 tackles last year.

Missouri opens with a contest versus Illinois in St. Louis on Sept. 1, then the Tigers compete in a very winnable road game at Ole Miss (Sept. 8). After, the Tigers return to Faurot Field for three straight games (Western Michigan, Illinois State and Nebraska). Thus, Missouri could very well enter the Oct. 6 meeting against the Huskers with a record of 4-0.

However, a battle-tested Nebraska squad should be ready to begin another winning streak of its own going against the Tigers.

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