Fourteen hours is a long drive, especially when your stomach is still in knots after Mizzou's loss. We just passed through Norman, Oklahoma and the blogging crew and I have been reflecting on our epic journey. Kudos to Tiger fans who made the trip down to San Antonio. You were outnumbered, but certainly made your voices heard. You have a lot to be proud of. Kudos also to the football team. I don't think anyone could have imagined this dream season. You may not be the champs, but I wouldn't trade this Tiger team for any other in the country.
On the KOMU side, big high five to our news crew. Jim, Megan, Lauren, Eric, Chris, Randy, Scott, Mark, Rog, Jason, Stacey, Stan, Kindle, Chaz, Joe, LT and all the KOMU alums that helped out. A special shout out to our web editor Jen Reeves. This is the gal that made it all happen on this blog. You have no idea how much the blogging team appreciates your hard work. Tiger fans have been AIM messaging us throughout the trip thanking us when they should really be thanking you. And finally, my blogging crew. Charlie, my partner in crime, Vanessa for all her witty one-liners and Caroline for making us look good in our photos. This will be my final post on the blog. Thanks again to everyone. See you back in Columbia!
12.02.2007
The Long Road Home
WE WERE ROBBED!
I'm not much of a sports statistician but I'm pretty sure Mizzou was robbed.
I'm in St. Louis watching the BCS show at a Fox affiliate and well let me just say that the MU Alumni erupted when they saw that KU and the Illini were in BCS games....
Didn't we beat both of them?
Don't they have just as good of a record as we do? This is absolutely crazy.
The Cotton Bowl are you kidding me??????
I know I shouldn't complain but that is not right. We were robbed.
The Chase is Over
After Oklahoma's 38-17 victory against Mizzou in the Big 12 Championship game, the Tiger's chase for the national championship is over. No Big 12 Championship, no BCS National Championship, no more chants of "We're number one!" While a likely bid in the Cotton Bowl would signify MU's leap to the next level of college football, the loss isn't any easier to swallow. Tiger fans, let's not mope about what could have been. Yes, a BCS bid would be nice but if I were to guarantee a Big 12 North Championship and a Cotton Bowl appearance at the beginning of the season, I'm sure most Tiger fans would've jumped on it. But this season isn't over yet as Mizzou still has one game left. In the grand scheme of college football, a Tiger win in their first January bowl game since 1969 would mean little, but it would mean a lot to the program. Beating a team from the mighty SEC could determine Missouri's preseason ranking next season, give Gary Pinkel something else to sell in the final month of recruiting, give the Tigers confidence heading into the offseason and, most importantly, send off the senior class with a victory. Let's not kid ourselves, the preseason rankings mean a lot (just ask the 2004 Auburn Tigers), and the higher Mizzou is ranked in August, the better their chances of playing in the BCS title game.
Let's start talking about the 2008 Missouri football team. Offensively, the Tigers will lose WRs William Franklin, Tommy Saunders, and Jason Ray, TE Martin Rucker, OL Tyler Luellen, Adam Spieker, and Monte Wyrick, and maybe RB Tony Temple (he may be granted a 5th year). Lot's of big losses, especially on the offensive line, but the Tigers return a lot of playmakers. Defensively, DL Lorenzo Williams and DBs Pig Brown and Darnell Terrell are the headline graduates. Just think of all the young players who shined this season: Maclin, Washington, Gettis, Weatherspoon, and Alexander just to name a few. Sprinkle the young guns with perhaps Pinkel's best recruiting class and the experienced playmakers like Coffman, Daniel and Moore, and you have all the ingredients for a return trip to the Big 12 Championship.
So, Missouri fans, take today to be upset if you must, but get excited because the best is yet to come! Remember, this season is NOT over yet! Support the Tigers in the bowl game and be proud to be a Missouri fan!
--TP
12.01.2007
What an amazing season
A year ago, I wouldn't catch me sitting and watch the Big 12 championship. A year ago, I would have never imagined the kind of football season we've had. So even though we can't say Mizzou is going to New Orleans for the title game, this has been an amazing ride. I'm so proud of the team and I can't wait to find out what bowl we get to attend during the bowl announcements tomorrow.
Lauren Whitney Tweets
KOMU Anchor Lauren Whitney is at the game right now and is sending messages from her cellphone. Click here to watch -- The updates are a little delayed on this blog, but it's live at that link. Here's what she's texted today so far (newest at the top):
*Well that was not fun ill be honest but we need to remember that the season isn't over bowl bound
*This is getting really bad i cant watch
*Thats the Mizzou i love'
*Ok held them there now its time to SCORE!
*Is it just me or was that a touch down? boo ou!
*Tigers 3 to nothing! I love our team
*This is amazing! We are in the Mizzou end zone right next to the band
*Nap time over time to get ready for quite possibly the biggest game ive ever been to!
*Oh wow he picked truman! On to lunch and mexican food!
*Its almost time who will he pick? I will go crazy if he puts on the truman head!
*Game day is great we are getting some face time gotta have that black and gold
*Good morning! We are headed to game day!
We'll take the 2 points Thanks!
So for the third weekend in a row I'm in the KOMU Newsroom squinting at a tiny TV. We've got the option to watch the game in the conference room and have the broadcast in HD but you can't work in there... So I'm in the Newsroom.
I watched MU play KU while in the newsroom, and MU and K-State so I'm getting used to rooting for the Tigers while at work.
In the last few weeks the phone calls we've gotten on Saturday have been "What channel is the game on?" or "What time is the game?" or "What's the score of the game?" I don't mind telling people to tune into the competition as long as they are rooting for the Tigers.
Tonight we did a really great hourlong show "Chase for the Championship".... if you didn't see it tune in to KOMU.com for some of the video.
We'll also have postgame after the show--- so make sure the Switch is on from KMIZ back to KOMU!
and for today my cheer is MIZ- KOMU- ZOU!!!!!!!
go tigers.
Let's Get Ready to Rumble!
The games is underway!!!!
As a journalist, I've done my very best to be very fair and balanced... But I have to be honest:
GO TIGERS!!
It looks REALLY cool to see the #! next to Missouri on the score graphic on the screen.
(Sorry it's a little blurry)
Planning to watch it all
I got the kids in bed and I'm ready to watch the whole game... Unfortunately, the UCLA/USC game is still on!! Ahhhh! I hope ABC delays the start for the MU-OU game!
I hope everyone enjoyed the Chase for the Championship special on KOMU. If you didn't get to watch, expect to see it online HERE.
Chase for the Championship: Behind the Scenes
KOMU's hour long Chase For the Championship special starts in just a few minutes at the top of the hour. Join Megan Murphy, Jim Riek, Eric Blumberg, a host of reporters, a couple other special guests, and maybe another appearance from some top-notch bloggers! Until then, take a look at some behind the scenes video we shot at the Alamodome in the parking lot.
To the Alamodome
We grabbed lunch on the River Walk and are now on our way to the Alamodome. We'll be catching up with some Mizzou fans as well as preparing for the one-hour pregame tailgate show with some of KOMU's finest. Traffic in downtown San Antonio has been difficult to navigate to say the least, but we're not going to let anything keep this blog down.
One more thing to pass along...our tiger tail that was harmlessly hanging from the trunk of the Grand Am has been STOLEN! We can handle the lost tail if the Tigers bring home the title tonight.
--TP
Profilet's Pick: Big 12 Championship Edition
As you may remember from the Opening Drive on KOMU.com, I like to pick the winners of any and all high school football games in mid-Missouri. I have never picked a Mizzou game all season, but this one is special, so I bring you a special edition of Profilet's Picks.
GO TIGERS!
--TP
**NOTE from Jen Reeves: The embedded video player is acting odd, so here's the link to YouTube if you can't see Profilet's Picks.
Just Got a Text Message
After having a text message conversation with Charlie Hannema, the word on the street in San Antonio is the Alamadome has already run out of parking. Our Road Trip team was thinking about mingling with the Tiger fans out there... But now they're worried they won't find a place to park.
I'll let you know if I hear anything.
T 'was The Night Before Game Day
T ' was the night before Game Day, when all through the house
Game Day
Megan, Jason and Justin spent the morning with the ESPN gameday crew and thousands of screaming fans. they're putting together their stories for our HUGE one-hour pregame show tonight at 6:00. We'll give you a complete scouting report and look back an amazing season. we'll the KOMU crew is slowly gathering at the Alamodome. We'll see you there!
Fun in Marlin, TX
During our short stay in Marlin, Charlie and I took some time out to relive our high school football glory days. Here's how we finished our time at the Dawg Pound.
--TP
Corso Picks Missouri
As part of ESPN College Gameday, analyst Lee Corso ends the show by picking the winner of the game of the week. And, for the second straight week, Coach picked the Tigers! Lots of Mizzou fans were at the Alamo this morning to watch the Gameday crew, and they were certainly pleased to see Lee predict a Tiger victory. Check back later for Profilet's pick!
--TP
Catching up on the Past
Danario Alexander's 118 yards and one touchdown against Kansas last week helped propel the Tigers to the Big 12 North title. We payed a visit to Danario's high school in the small town of Marlin, Texas and caught up with his former coach, Cassius Johnson. Take a peek.
--TP
Bet you didn't know...
...that Missouri's fight song comes from a World War I British army marching song. The song is called "It's A Long Way to Tipperary," and I've posted the lyrics below. Here's the audio.
Up to mighty London came
An Irish lad one day,
All the streets were paved with gold,
So everyone was gay!
Singing songs of Piccadilly,
Strand, and Leicester Square,
'Til Paddy got excited and
He shouted to them there:
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to Tipperary
To the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye Piccadilly,
Farewell Leicester Square!
It's a long long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there.
Paddy wrote a letter
To his Irish Molly O',
Saying, "Should you not receive it,
Write and let me know!
If I make mistakes in "spelling",
Molly dear", said he,
"Remember it's the pen, that's bad,
Don't lay the blame on me".
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to Tipperary
To the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye Piccadilly,
Farewell Leicester Square,
It's a long long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there.
Molly wrote a neat reply
To Irish Paddy O',
Saying, "Mike Maloney wants
To marry me, and so
Leave the Strand and Piccadilly,
Or you'll be to blame,
For love has fairly drove me silly,
Hoping you're the same!"
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to Tipperary
To the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye Piccadilly,
Farewell Leicester Square,
It's a long long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there.
Game Day Game Plan
Hey guys, we're all alive and well in San Antonio. This city is so beautiful! We got into town and immediately went to dinner with the KOMU crew at the fajita restaurant Megan Murphy discovered. We're working on uploading some new video for you and we're tuned in to ESPN's Game Day live from the Alamo, you should tune in too!
Here's the plan for today: Charlie and Tyler will be making an appearance live on KOMU's one hour pregame show, which starts at 6:00 tonight. We'll have some more stories for you from our reporters and Jim Riek will have some special guests you don't want to miss. Then we'll all head into the dome for the big game! We're not allowed to bring in our digital video camera, but Tyler got permission to bring the still camera in, so look for some fun photos from the Mizzou fan section!
Thanks for stickin' with us, the chase for the championship is running full speed ahead.
-Vanessa
