COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sean Weatherspoon walked down the long hallway that connects the visitors' locker room and south tunnel at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium.

He studied the red signs adorning the walls, evidence of Nebraska's rich tradition, reminders of Missouri's historical place in the conference pecking order.

“You just see some crazy scores, Nebraska just wupping up on pretty much everybody,” said Weatherspoon, a two-time All-Big 12 linebacker.

The NU-Mizzou numbers especially startled him: 50-7, 69-21, 63-6, 57-0, 51-7 ... “We got killed ...We just looked so bad.”

But that was last October, a few hours before Mizzou hammered NU in Lincoln, 52-17, the Tigers' first win at Memorial Stadium in 30 years.

Yes, things have changed considerably in the Missouri-Nebraska relationship. But how does Mizzou view the Huskers after embarrassing them twice consecutively? Depends which Tiger you ask.

One minute, they speak like kings of the zoo. Beating Nebraska would be no bigger than a win over Furman or Iowa State, Weatherspoon said. Every victory is important.

The next minute, they reveal frustration at a perceived lack of respect.

Some Tiger players, Weatherspoon said, weren't happy about their September omission from the AP top 25; the Tigers entered the poll Sunday at 24th.

Running back Derrick Washington said Mizzou goes into Thursday night's duel as an underdog. (The Latest Line on Sunday listed Nebraska as a 2½-point favorite.)

Nebraska was picked to win the Big 12 North. Missouri, he said, was picked fifth (Mizzou was picked third preseason by most media outlets but fifth by Phil Steele).

“It's a bigger game,” star receiver Danario Alexander said. “Nebraska's Nebraska. We don't like 'em.”

But more than the opponent, Tiger players say, this year's circumstances intensify the conference opener.

ESPN. Thursday night. Projected record crowd. All the home fans in gold.

“It feels like a bowl game,” Washington said.

Enthusiasm on campus is palpable, Weatherspoon said. He recalls the same feeling before the Tigers throttled Nebraska 41-6 in Columbia in 2007.

“You couldn't even hear our coaches in pregame, because everybody was already at the game,” he said. “I'm expecting that same type of atmosphere.”

And, this time, a capable opponent.

Nebraska plays with more toughness this season, Weatherspoon said. The Huskers run the ball right at you.

“Film doesn't lie,” Weatherspoon said. “Pop in the tape and you see the offensive linemen finishing blocks. You see their running backs going hard.

“I've even noticed their receivers on the outside, No. 24, Niles Paul, he's making defensive backs pay, cracking on linebackers. They're doing a great job of being physical. That's coach Pelini's persona ... He has those guys out there revved up.”

Missouri showered praise on the Huskers — “We've always had great respect for them,” coach Gary Pinkel said, “we still do.” — but it isn't quite ready to tag NU with the “rival” label.

Kansas is Missouri's big rival, Pinkel said. Weatherspoon shrugged it off, too.

“It's more like a fun game to me than a rivalry,” Weatherspoon said. “I can't say it's a big rivalry.”

Semantics aside, Mizzou lacks no conviction entering the week. Blaine Gabbert has shone at quarterback. Second-half nail-biters against Bowling Green and Nevada have tested the Tigers' resolve.

And, of course, players take confidence from their recent performances against Nebraska, Washington said.

“Everybody's going to be thinking about that in the back of their heads, but we've got to let that go,” he said. “It's a whole different year, different players, different team.”

Mizzou would celebrate a similar result.

Contact the writer:

679-9899, dirk.chatelain@owh.com

« Sports - Big Red Today

Share