It's All About Them Dolla Dolla Bills

Gary Pinkel is certainly reaping the benefits from Missouri's first back-to-back division titles since the 20s. The Associated Press reported that Pinkel's new contract is going to give him a big raise: from $1.85 million to $2.5 million. The deal isn't complete, but regardless it looks like good ol' Gary will be living more than comfortably (not that he doesn't already). But despite the fact that he'll be around for while longer, some of his coaching staff won't be. New Mexico is looking to steal Dave Christensen (Pinkel's offensive coordinator) and apparently the defensive coordinator is being sought by other schools, too. I guess the seniors aren't the only ones graduating. Read the SI.com story here.

So... Kansas looms in the future. Or does it? I think Pinkel summed it up in his press conference after the Iowa State blowout. He said the KU game is now just the KU game. Mizzou clenched the Big 12 North at Iowa State, so the only thing that rests on next week's game is being able to once again rub it in Jayhawks faces that Missouri is superior. As far as tradition goes, the game isn't any less important than it was last year, but from a division standpoint and a BCS standpoint, there is a lot less pressure.

The game to watch today is without a doubt the Texas Tech-OU match-up. I'm sure I'm not the only one to say I'm anxious to see who will win the South and have to face Mizzou at Arrowhead Stadium for the Big 12 Championship. Personally, I'm pulling for Texas Tech simply because Mizzou played them and beat them last year (but yes, I know, Tech is a different team this year) and because OU is just OU. It's sort of a "been there, done that" situation. Plus, it would make the decision so much easier. If Tech loses today, the South has a three-way tie between Tech, OU and UT. That means to decide who goes to Arrowhead they would have to look at the BCS calculations and decide that way. I'd rather there just be a clear winner.

Regardless, Arrowhead Stadium is the place where it will all happen within the next few weeks. Let's hope the stadium brings MU more luck than it does to the KC Chiefs.