Missouri - Texas preview: I'm no mathamatologist, but the numbers aren't in Tigers' favor

As we’ve discussed during live chats on this Web site in the past, I don’t cry when it comes to professional or college sporting events. If you’re not playing, tears simply shouldn’t factor into the equation. It’s just not worth it.

The only times I’ve come close to tears following a sporting event, however, have involved the University of Missouri football team (and maybe a certain Cubs-Marlins series in 2003). There was the Mizzou-Oklahoma game in 2002 while sitting in the student section, watching the seemingly indestructible Brad Smith get destructed. Then there was the Mizzou-Oklahoma game that had the Big 12 title (and Mizzou’s first trip to the national championship) on the line last season. And then there was last week. A devastating loss to Oklahoma State where the team looked as though some alien being had come down to replace the Tigers with the Booneville High School squad.

Today the Tigers take on No. 1 ranked Texas in Austin. If the Tigers win, they have a real shot at the conference championship and even a (albeit quite long) shot at the national title game. Lose, and it’s just another pretty good season — another where expectations simply, tragically weren’t met in Columbia.

The stats aren’t exactly on Mizzou’s side, according to Mutigers.com:

• Texas hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown yet this year.
• Mizzou’s last win in Austin came in 1896 (a 10-0 Tiger win).
• The Longhorns have won 13-of-14 meetings between UT and Mizzou dating back to 1931.
• Mizzou is 0-10 all time against teams ranked No. 1 in the nation.

However, two stats give the Tigers a wee glimmer of hope:

• Missouri is 7-0 under coach Gary Pinkel after suffering their first loss of a season.
• 28 tigers are playing in their home state. This brings … I don’t know … extra incentive?

Granted, these stats aren’t going to tip the scales in Vegas, but it is college football — which means that anything can (and most likely will) happen.

The Columbia Tribune has an interesting article about Mizzou’s offensive coordinator and Texas’ defensive coordinator — both of whom could be considered for future head coaching jobs.

Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com weighs in, reminding us that Colt McCoy and Chase Daniel were quite close to being teammates instead of rivals.

Dallas Morning News columnist Kevin Sherrington talks about the fact that so many Tigers, including quarterback and Heisman hopeful Chase Daniel, hail from Texas with the hope-inducing headline, “Mizzou’s Lone Star flavor should worry Texas Longhorns.”

We’ll take that.