GatewayRedbirds.com

We're about a month out from the Arch Rivalry game. It's officially time to get excited for college football.

That four game stretch they have mid-season- aTm, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas Tech- is going to make or break their whole season. I'll be happy with two wins there. Any one of them is winnable but they could legitimately be the underdog in three of those games.

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There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.
-John L. Sullivan, Sullivan's Travels (1941)

I see Mizzou winning the aTm and Texas Tech games, with Oklahoma and Nebraska being a push. If it wasn't for Suh, Mizzou would have beaten Nebraska last year.

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I'm excited too. I think Blaine is gonna have a good year and I think they are gonna surprise some in the B12 this year. I'm also watchin' Franklin to see how he progresses

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100 years of losing on the wall
100 years of losing
what's that I hear? Wait till next year...
101 years of losing on the wall.

Probably, but that Nebraska defense is/was stout even disregarding Suh. The problem is their offense is really really bad. If I had to guess right now I'd guess they only win in Lubbock. That's a tough four game stretch, but if they can take two of those the rest of the schedule is light. While I'd be content with 8-4, I think the goal should be 9-3 this year and anything above that is gravy.

I won't be going this year, as far as I can tell. Very disappointed about that.

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Can't wait.

The offense should be very good. Gabbert is going to make the leap and he'll have a lot of options around him. I don't see any big time go to guys, but a lot of decent depth at WR and RB. The O-line should be a strength against all but the best defensive teams. They have some depth and versatility to move guys around there. We really need someone to step up at TE as a possession guy who can move the chains. And for [expletive] sake put in a pro set for short yardage situations and practice the hell out of it. I'm sick of seeing them have to pass on 3rd and 2 or run that same read option every time out of shotgun that never works. Washington is supposed to be in great shape and has some good backups so lets run the ball some more.

Defensively, I'm excited to see if Aldon Smith can continue to develop. He'll draw a lot more attention so his numbers may fall off a bit, but the whole defense will benefit. Sure would be nice to have Sheldon Richardson too. The linebackers should be solid but not spectacular. They should be fine against the run overall. As always, what will the secondary do? They are all a year older, but did they have enough talent to begin with? Hopefully some of the younger guys step up and pressure last year's group for PT. Just cut down on the big plays is all I'm asking.

The offense should be good with Gabbert healthy. Maybe not outscore last year's team with Alexander's ridiculous production but more consistent at sustaining drives. The defense can't be any worse, so if they improve a bit I think the team is better overall. And the schedule is very manageable even with that one tough stretch. I think winning the Big XII North is very reasonable, with 9-3 the target and 10-2 a decent possibility.

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I'm taking the family to Fan Day in CoMO this coming weekend. Can't wait!

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When is a good time to start general college football threads? And do you go weekly or monthly?

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"This is a heavyweight bout indeed."--John Rooney, Oct. 27, 2011

Go ahead and fire one up now, if you'd like.

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There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.
-John L. Sullivan, Sullivan's Travels (1941)

We usually have a general thread plus a Mizzou thread for the whole season. I've usually started a weekly thread to give people the heads up on all the televised games and discuss specific matchups, or someone will have a weekly picks thread. Basically do whatever.

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