I do respect the Tigers -- so much so that I picked them to beat Oklahoma -- and I love the Spartans' no-frills, smash-mouth offense. But do I think they'll run the table?
Actually, I'm inclined to think neither will be undefeated this time next week.
Coming off a program-defining win that coach Gary Pinkel described as "gigantic" (the Tigers hadn't beaten Oklahoma in his tenure, including Big 12 title-game blowouts in 2007 and '08), Missouri must turn around and visit No. 14 Nebraska (6-1). The Huskers shook off their Week 7 loss to Texas with a 51-41 win at Oklahoma State, in which Taylor Martinez showed that yes, he can throw (23-of-35 for 323 yards and five touchdowns). Defensively, the Huskers will present a tougher challenge for Mizzou quarterback Blaine Gabbert than did Oklahoma.