College Football Week 13: THE BORDER WAR!!!!!!!!

[duckman]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Venables has always been a smug little punk. We'll see what he has to say when his defense gets run over on Saturday.

He should know better than to feed the fire like this. It's one thing for a college kid to give bulletin board material. It's another think to be a coach and do the same thing.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL! Wooo, thanks for the laugh!

It's your team that is giving bulletin board material! Venables is just giving them the respect they are giving to OU. None. Sounds like Barnett a few years ago about wanting a mulligen when Colorado was spanked in Norman. The second meeting in the Alamodome didn't turn out so well for them either.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by duckman

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL! Wooo, thanks for the laugh!

It's your team that is giving bulletin board material! Venables is just giving them the respect they are giving to OU. None. Sounds like Barnett a few years ago about wanting a mulligen when Colorado was spanked in Norman. The second meeting in the Alamodome didn't turn out so well for them either.

MU's staff hasn't said anything derogotary about the OU team. Unfortunately, Venables decided to stoop that low. As I said before, it's likely that he's pretty stressed about the upcoming matchup. MU has a key starter back that his defense didn't have to deal with in the last meeting when they gave up 31 points.

[Crapshoot]

Jeez, is Mizzou B-Ball playing in this game? To hear him talk, it seems as if he's going to single-handedly stop Oklahoma.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Jeez, is Mizzou B-Ball playing in this game? To hear him talk, it seems as if he's going to single-handedly stop Oklahoma.

He is making a HD-DVD of all of the smack talk by the Oklahoma team and will drive to San Antonio...stopping of course in KC to watch their hockey team is it the Pens or the Preds now...anyway...play it to the Mizzo team on his PS3 moments before kickoff.

Seriously we get it. You think Missouri will win easy. Sorry you know Missouri will win easy...so why are they even playing the fucking game?

[duckman]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

MU's staff hasn't said anything derogotary about the OU team. Unfortunately, Venables decided to stoop that low. As I said before, it's likely that he's pretty stressed about the upcoming matchup. MU has a key starter back that his defense didn't have to deal with in the last meeting when they gave up 31 points.

No, MU's staff hasn't said shit, but their players were talking shit about the OU game as soon as the KU game was over. Face it, your team got their ass stomped in the fourth quarter of that game where it really matters. Who gives a shit if they have a lead going into the final quarter. It doesn't mean shit unless you have more points than the other guy once the game is actually over. Fact is that the OU defense forced 4 turnovers and beat them by 10 points and would have been 17 if Stoops haven't taken his foot off their throats. They got their ass beat. Period.

And I hope your team keeps talking shit because history has not been kind to those who disrespect a Stoops coached OU team.

[cartman]

Mizzou B-Ball Fan has the innate ability to translate his enthusiasm for something into a form that causes all others to come to hate that something.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by cartman

Mizzou B-Ball Fan has the innate ability to translate his enthusiasm for something into a form that causes all others to come to hate that something.

hate may not be a strong enough word here. Though there are a couple other posters that are better at it IMO.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by cartman

Mizzou B-Ball Fan has the innate ability to translate his enthusiasm for something into a form that causes all others to come to hate that something.

My father took me to Mizzou games throughout my childhood into high school. I went to Mizzou from 1992-1996 and attended every home game and quite a few road games. I have been a season ticket holder since I graduated and gone to three of their bowl games and many of their away games. I was in row #1 at Arrowhead last weekend in the best sporting event I have ever been to in my life. I live and die for Mizzou sports!

With all of that said Mizzou B-ball fan has been so annoying in this thread that I am tempted to pull for OU this weekend in the big 12 title game. Jeez, give it a rest, we are not USC riding a 40 game winning streak. Savor being #1 in the BCS, take in every article and tv show for the next couple of weeks, hope that we blow OU out by 50 points and gain the national respect we so desire. But give it a rest here with people that aren't really even arguing against Mizzou! It is really over the top and annoying.

[miami_fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3130502

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Sonny Lubick is out as Colorado State coach and hasn't decided whether to accept the school's offer to stay on as a fundraiser and goodwill ambassador.

"I have no plans right now. It's too early to speculate," Lubick said Tuesday at a news conference.

Athletic director Paul Kowalczyk said Lubick has a job as associate athletic director available to him "if and when he wants it."

"I want Sonny to be associated with the program," Kowalczyk said. "I'm going to do whatever I can to keep him in the fold. I want him to be associated with this program that he's put on the map."

Lubick's coaching staff was also let go with the exception of Tom Ehlers, the director of football operations, who will be kept on to oversee the transition period.

Kowalczyk has no timetable for hiring a new coach. He's already received calls about the vacancy, but wouldn't reveal any names. Kowalczyk said he would consult with Lubick before hiring a new coach.

"I'd be foolish not to," he said.

Kowalczyk asked Lubick to step down a few days before the Rams' season-ending win over Wyoming last Friday.

"It's the hardest position I've ever been in," he said. "I'd never wish that on anyone else."

Lubick gathered his players Tuesday before the press conference and told them he wasn't leaving on his own accord. He wanted to stay and help turn around the program that went 3-9 this season.

"He told us he wanted to come back," Colorado State quarterback Caleb Hanie said. "He said, 'I would never quit on you guys.' That's what we wanted to hear from him."

Hanie said it was difficult listening to Lubick's farewell speech.

"I think he deserves to leave whenever he wants," Hanie said. "He earned that right. But you can see where the school is coming from. That's what the game has evolved to, it's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of thing. Sometimes, you forget what coaches have done for you."

Speculation has been swirling around Lubick's future for days after the Rams finished the season. They haven't had a winning record since 2003, although Lubick is 108-74 in 15 seasons at Colorado State and is credited with turning an underachieving program into a consistent winner for most of his tenure.

He led the Rams to nine bowl games and at least a share of conference titles in six seasons.

"This episode over the last few days doesn't change anything for me," Lubick said in a 45-minute speech before about 200 players, supporters and media.

Later he added, "I'll be a Ram until the end of time. I'll be watching."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by bsak16

He is making a HD-DVD of all of the smack talk by the Oklahoma team and will drive to San Antonio...stopping of course in KC to watch their hockey team is it the Pens or the Preds now...anyway...play it to the Mizzo team on his PS3 moments before kickoff.

Seriously we get it. You think Missouri will win easy. Sorry you know Missouri will win easy...so why are they even playing the fucking game?

Get off his ass will ya?

Can't one FUCKING year we Mizzou fans enjoy a football season? It won't be easy, but who gives a FUCK if he's excited about this game, I have 10 friends who will tell you we'll kick OU's ass, so fucking what?

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by panerd

My father took me to Mizzou games throughout my childhood into high school. I went to Mizzou from 1992-1996 and attended every home game and quite a few road games. I have been a season ticket holder since I graduated and gone to three of their bowl games and many of their away games. I was in row #1 at Arrowhead last weekend in the best sporting event I have ever been to in my life. I live and die for Mizzou sports!

With all of that said Mizzou B-ball fan has been so annoying in this thread that I am tempted to pull for OU this weekend in the big 12 title game. Jeez, give it a rest, we are not USC riding a 40 game winning streak. Savor being #1 in the BCS, take in every article and tv show for the next couple of weeks, hope that we blow OU out by 50 points and gain the national respect we so desire. But give it a rest here with people that aren't really even arguing against Mizzou! It is really over the top and annoying.

Even saying that is bullshit. C'mon Panerd, you're better than this.

[Buccaneer]

People who "live and die" by sports teams have psychological issues.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Get off his ass will ya?

Can't one FUCKING year we Mizzou fans enjoy a football season? It won't be easy, but who gives a FUCK if he's excited about this game, I have 10 friends who will tell you we'll kick OU's ass, so fucking what?

Why should I...if he can dish it out he can take it. He's a big boy. I hope you enjoy your season but don't expect everyone to sit back and hear post after post how OU has no chance when they won the first game. This seems to be lost with Tiger fans. I hear over and over that you wouldn't have lost if you didn't turn the ball over. Let me let you in on a little secret...turnovers are part of the game! So are injuries! Ask USC...Oregon...Michigan...Cal...the list can go on and on.

Great thing for you and your team is that you can avenge your only loss and get in the BCS Title game. But that doesn't mean the rest of us have to sit and read utter bullshit without calling him out on it.

edit: Kansas fans were excited for their season...SI and the others weren't obnoxious like this. If you are obnoxious...expect to take some flack.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Why should I...if he can dish it out he can take it. He's a big boy. I hope you enjoy your season but don't expect everyone to sit back and hear post after post how OU has no chance when they won the first game. This seems to be lost with Tiger fans. I hear over and over that you wouldn't have lost if you didn't turn the ball over. Let me let you in on a little secret...turnovers are part of the game! So are injuries! Ask USC...Oregon...Michigan...Cal...the list can go on and on.

Great thing for you and your team is that you can avenge your only loss and get in the BCS Title game. But that doesn't mean the rest of us have to sit and read utter bullshit without calling him out on it.

edit: Kansas fans were excited for their season...SI and the others weren't obnoxious like this. If you are obnoxious...expect to take some flack.

LOL! He's obnoxious? Grow a pair.. he's FINALLY getting to be in a conversation besides, "I wonder how bad OU will beat us?".

Go find another fucking thread to throw your banter around in will ya?

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

LOL! He's obnoxious? Grow a pair.. he's FINALLY getting to be in a conversation besides, "I wonder how bad OU will beat us?".

Go find another fucking thread to throw your banter around in will ya?

Wow you are blind...have not read the others making fun of him too. Enjoy the game Saturday.

No one is saying OU is going to blow them out...heck I think it is going to be a great game, but not even acknowledge that OU has a chance when they've won earlier is just plain stupid.

edit: Radii said it perfect

[Radii]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

LOL! He's obnoxious? Grow a pair.. he's FINALLY getting to be in a conversation besides, "I wonder how bad OU will beat us?".

This isn't a Missouri thing. This is someone being an extreme asshat(someone who is an asshat often over many things), the topic this time just happens to be Missouri football.

I'm enjoying following Missouri football this year, a couple good friends of mine are missouri fans and I'm super happy for them.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Wow you are blind...have not read the others making fun of him too. Enjoy the game Saturday.

No one is saying OU is going to blow them out...heck I think it is going to be a great game, but not even acknowledge that OU has a chance when they've won earlier is just plain stupid.

Just in case you are blind too... I quote "Mizzou B-Ball Fan has the innate ability to translate his enthusiasm for something into a form that causes all others to come to hate that something." Post 656...not even by an OU fan.

I'm not blind, but this has been the GREATEST college football season of my 36 years of life. MBBF goes a little extreme.. hell his ps3 love fest drives me nuts, but damn.. he's a little excited.

I'm not allowing people to piss me off, it's all good... OU is great, but I'm not scared of them.. FIRST time for everything!

[Dr. Sak]

Enjoy this season...i am really happy for you and your fans. I want you guys to win because even though my favorite team is in the Big Ten...I don't want Ohio State going back to the title game.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Radii

This isn't a Missouri thing. This is someone being an extreme asshat(someone who is an asshat often over many things), the topic this time just happens to be Missouri football.

I'm enjoying following Missouri football this year, a couple good friends of mine are missouri fans and I'm super happy for them.

No asshat vibes!!!

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Enjoy this season...i am really happy for you and your fans. I want you guys to win because even though my favorite team is in the Big Ten...I don't want Ohio State going back to the title game.

I've enjoyed this season like no other, more so than the Rams winning the Super Bowl.

Forget what I said... I appreciate your thoughts.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

People who "live and die" by sports teams have psychological issues.

Bucc can always make me laugh.

[Vegas Vic]

Stoops: Gift wrapped victory?

“You can spin it however you want. I know this, when we’re kicking off with 2:20 to go in the game, we’re up three possessions. If that’s giving it to us, I’ll take it every time.”

[MrBug708]

In my observations, threads like these are usually followed by someone not showing up for a while and getting mad when people call him out. His excuse is usually real life got in the way.

[TazFTW]

This was in tod..err yesterday's Honolulu Advertiser. http://http://honoluluadvertiser.com...WS01/711270347




Already knew Hawaii was very low but I am surprised that VTech brings in that much cash and spends that much. I'm also surprised that USC doesn't bring in that much cash.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Already knew Hawaii was very low but I am surprised that VTech brings in that much cash and spends that much. I'm also surprised that USC doesn't bring in that much cash.

Hokie alum are fiercely loyal and enthusiastic supporters of the university. It also helps that the largest concentration of Virginia Tech alumni are in northern Virginia, the most affluent region in the country, so they have the money to give.

The transformation VT athletics has taken since I graduated in 1992 is hard to fathom, most of it coming since MV1 carried the team to the MNC game in 2000.

[Toddzilla]

Dola - just re-read the last bunch of pages to see what all the consternation was about. Mizzou B-Ball is absolutely being an obnoxious clown, but you know what? He deserves it. It ain't every day your team comes out of oblivion to be #1 with a chance to win it all (VT fans know that feeling intimately), so if he wants to let it all hang out cut him some slack. It's fun to watch IMO.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Dola - just re-read the last bunch of pages to see what all the consternation was about. Mizzou B-Ball is absolutely being an obnoxious clown, but you know what? He deserves it. It ain't every day your team comes out of oblivion to be #1 with a chance to win it all (VT fans know that feeling intimately), so if he wants to let it all hang out cut him some slack. It's fun to watch IMO.

MU is the #1 team in the land. I'll grant you that I (and other Mizzou fans in general) may have a Napoleon complex over the whole situation because it grows very tiring hearing about all of the 'name' schools that somehow have some god-given right to be in the title game every year. The media is also screaming about the BCS suddenly having problems because WV and Mizzou are #1 and #2. I didn't hear them bitching when teams like LSU, USC, etc. were the ones getting into the championship game. Mizzou earned it just like those teams did. Give it a rest.

As for OU, they may have beat us on their home turf, but they're a totally different team on the road/neutral fields. OU is 2-2 outside of Norman. Mizzou is battle tested away from home, holding a road/neutral record of 5-1. How quickly fans also forget that OU lost to Colorado in Boulder, a team that Mizzou beat by 45 points in the very same stadium.

[vex]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

MU is the #1 team in the land. I'll grant you that I (and other Mizzou fans in general) may have a Napoleon complex over the whole situation because it grows very tiring hearing about all of the 'name' schools that somehow have some god-given right to be in the title game every year. The media is also screaming about the BCS suddenly having problems because WV and Mizzou are #1 and #2. I didn't hear them bitching when teams like LSU, USC, etc. were the ones getting into the championship game. Mizzou earned it just like those teams did. Give it a rest.

As for OU, they may have beat us on their home turf, but they're a totally different team on the road/neutral fields. OU is 2-2 outside of Norman. Mizzou is battle tested away from home, holding a road/neutral record of 5-1. How quickly fans also forget that OU lost to Colorado in Boulder, a team that Mizzou beat by 45 points in the very same stadium.

You want other people to 'give it a rest'?lol

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

This was in tod..err yesterday's Honolulu Advertiser. http://http://honoluluadvertiser.com...WS01/711270347




Already knew Hawaii was very low but I am surprised that VTech brings in that much cash and spends that much. I'm also surprised that USC doesn't bring in that much cash.

Yeah, the USC numbers really jump out at me. Also, damn, apparently it really pays for all your little rinky dink Title IX programs if you have a football program that brings in $20+ in profit.

SI

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by vex

You want other people to 'give it a rest'?lol

Ummmm, I was referring to the media writers.

[Dr. Sak]

Missouri is in a tough situation, I'll give them that. Even if they win on Saturday they scrutiny will not end. They will have to win the MNC game or people will say they didn't deserve to be there....and all that other horse crap that the "experts" say.

WVU has a little more leeway because they've been in the National eye for a few years now. They beat Georgia two years ago in the Sugar Bowl when most thought they wouldn't plus White and Slaton have been in the national news.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

MU is the #1 team in the land. I'll grant you that I (and other Mizzou fans in general) may have a Napoleon complex over the whole situation because it grows very tiring hearing about all of the 'name' schools that somehow have some god-given right to be in the title game every year. The media is also screaming about the BCS suddenly having problems because WV and Mizzou are #1 and #2. I didn't hear them bitching when teams like LSU, USC, etc. were the ones getting into the championship game. Mizzou earned it just like those teams did. Give it a rest.

Been hibernating for the past decade?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Logan

Been hibernating for the past decade?

Exactly my point. It's always been broken as a system, but the belly-aching only occurs when a legacy team doesn't make it or the 'ratings are going to suck' argument comes into play.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

belly-aching only occurs when a legacy team doesn't make it or the 'ratings are going to suck' argument comes into play.

That's a yes to the hibernation question, then.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by MattJones4Heisman

That's a yes to the hibernation question, then.

Fair enough. I haven't seen anything to this level personally, but it's hard to argue your point when no contrary information was given.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Fair enough. I haven't seen anything to this level personally, but it's hard to argue your point when no contrary information was given.

I don't remember the year or the teams involved, but we had 3 undeafeated teams and the media about had a 24-7 heartattack a few years ago. So yes it has been worse.

I do get your point though. They were complaining when LSU and OSU were #1 that they needed a playoff, but it was because the system was out of whack not because they were bad teams. Now with WVU and Mizzou the arguement seems to be more of these teams aren't the best teams and nobody wants to watch them.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Fair enough. I haven't seen anything to this level personally, but it's hard to argue your point when no contrary information was given.

Seriously, did you pay attention to college football once Missouri was eliminated from BCS contention every year? There hasn't been a year that goes by without hearing why we need a playoff and how the system is broken. If you want specific examples, I submit to you every god damn year since 1998.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by panerd

I don't remember the year or the teams involved, but we had 3 undeafeated teams and the media about had a 24-7 heartattack a few years ago. So yes it has been worse.

I do get your point though. They were complaining when LSU and OSU were #1 that they needed a playoff, but it was because the system was out of whack not because they were bad teams. Now with WVU and Mizzou the arguement seems to be more of these teams aren't the best teams and nobody wants to watch them.

3 undefeated teams is obviously the nightmare scenario. It's the reason that a 4 team (or more) playoff should be part of the setup to avoid leaving out any teams in that instance.

In the case of this year, no one has shown themself to stand out by winning all of their games, so I don't see the point of complaining. All of these teams controlled their own destiny at some point and ended up losing one game. They lose the right to complain about it after that IMO.

[JPhillips]

So if Mizzou were to drop to three you wouldn't complain?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

So if Mizzou were to drop to three you wouldn't complain?

Obviously I'd be disappointed as a fan of MU, but no, I don't think any team has room to complain in that situation. MU should have taken care of business in Norman and they didn't. Fortunately for Mizzou, every other team in the running had a similar problem along the way.

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

As for OU, they may have beat us on their home turf, but they're a totally different team on the road/neutral fields.

As it relates to this week's game in San Antonio, OU is 1-0 on a neutral field this year, beating Texas 28-21 in Dallas. Their record in away games is a non sequitur.

[sooner333]

I don't hear the Missouri-WVU is bad for football argument...the main one I hear is that if either one lose it's going to be a mess. If both lose, a nightmare.

Mizzou has earned a top 2 spot right now...I would disagree if OU hadn't lost to Tech or Colorado, but it didn't happen. If they lose to OU there's no argument that they should fall out...if they win, they will avenge their only loss and only solidify their spot. People will see that.

There's a difference between getting excited about your football team (believe me, I was in 2000 and again in '03 and '04) and making arguments that don't make very much sense.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

As it relates to this week's game in San Antonio, OU is 1-0 on a neutral field this year, beating Texas 28-21 in Dallas. Their record in away games is a non sequitur.

Maybe as far as Vegas is concerned, but certainly their record in games away from home does have some bearing on the situation. Perhaps the very good 5-1 record by MU in road/neutral games is even more important, as the crowd will likely be 70% OU fans.

BTW, what is the point spread now? Has it moved any?

[sooner333]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

BTW, what is the point spread now? Has it moved any?

Still OU -3.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Good article by the much-maligned Jenni Carlson..............

Lessons learned, Missouri defensive star can now lead
By Jenni Carlson
Staff Writer

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The side door creaked open, interrupting the biggest press conference in Missouri football history.

Mid-sentence at the podium, Tiger coach Gary Pinkel shot a sideways glance toward the intruder. This is the week of the Big 12 Championship game and the rematch against Oklahoma, for goodness sakes. There was a flash of annoyance, even a hint of anger in the coach's eyes. Then, he saw who was peeking into the room.

"This,” Pinkel said, "is Lorenzo Williams.”

Leaning his bald head and his massive shoulders through the doorway, Williams flashed a Cheshire Cat grin.

Laughter filled the packed auditorium.

You don't have to be around this top-ranked football team long to recognize that Williams is a character. The Missouri defensive tackle and Midwest City native has a big personality. He isn't afraid to speak his mind, and when he does, he's honest and insightful and oftentimes humorous.

Named first-team All-Big 12 on Tuesday, he has given speeches to the team the night before games that have become the stuff of legend. One ended with a hole in a hotel wall, another with a plate smashed on the floor.

"Lorenzo, with no question, is one of our great leaders on defense,” Missouri defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said. "We give the basic message to him on Sunday, what we want to get done with this game, and he basically takes that and takes it to heart.”

Then, he takes it to his teammates, even if it means busting a wall or breaking a plate to make a point.

There was a time, though, Williams thought he might never be able to lead this way. How could he motivate his teammates? How could he scream and holler at them?

That's what he'd done, after all, on the day Aaron O'Neal died.

The 19-year-old linebacker collapsed on the Faurot Field turf during a voluntary workout two summers ago. O'Neal eventually went into full cardiac arrest and died less than two hours later.

"I was there at the workout,” Williams said. "I just felt like, ‘Man, I don't know how I could say anything to anybody else now knowing they could really be hurting. Something could really be happening to them.'

"It was a life-changing event.”


‘So hurt and so down'
Lorenzo Williams yelled at Aaron O'Neal to push harder.

Both were just trying to make their way during that summer two years ago. Williams, who arrived at Missouri from Midwest City as a linebacker, had moved to defensive end. He'd succeeded there, being named first-team Freshmen All-Big 12 by The Sporting News, but his weight gain and the Tigers' needs meant another switch to defensive tackle.

After redshirting the 2004 season, O'Neal hoped for playing time at linebacker.

But as Williams, O'Neal and about a dozen other players worked out on a mild July afternoon, O'Neal fell to his knees. Half an hour later in the locker room he became unresponsive.

By the time his teammates carried O'Neal to the training room door, he was in full cardiac arrest.

"A lot of us had never lost friends before,” Williams said, "especially that close to us.”

His voice softened.

"Whenever he passed, everybody was just so hurt and so down.”

The program grieved long and hard. Workouts were particularly difficult.

"I work real hard. I want everybody to work hard with me,” Williams said. "So trying to get people to go when I felt like I couldn't say anything to them, that was just really hard.”

Missouri strength coach Pat Ivey noticed Williams' silence.

"You've got to keep leading,” he said.

Williams resisted throughout the 2005 season and into the next offseason

Ivey persisted.

"You're going to be a big leader for us one day,” the strength coach said.

More than a year passed after O'Neal's death before Williams understood the problem. His style had been to micromanage everything. He was constantly on guys. He was forever in their faces.

To be a truly great leader, Williams realized he needed to know his teammates better.

"If you don't' know how to help your players get better, you pretty much hurtin' them,” he said. "I think I just learned more how to help them get better, how to help them get through the times they need to get through.”

And that, it turned out, helped Williams get through.


‘Always remember'
Lorenzo Williams clutched the Big 12 North trophy around the Arrowhead Stadium turf like his hands were frozen to it.

In a game full of big plays last Saturday, he came up with arguably the biggest. Williams sacked Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing in the end zone for a safety in the game's final minute. It gave Missouri an eight-point lead and a spot in the conference title game.

As the celebration started to subside, Williams headed toward the locker room, trophy in tow. But before he reached the tunnel, he turned around and headed back onto the field. He walked to the 25-yard line, touched it and pointed to the sky.

Aaron O'Neal wore No. 25.

"You've gotta give it up to him,” Williams said later. "Any time you come out with a big win like this, you've got to thank everybody, whoever helped you out, and I strongly believe he helped us.”

Williams knows O'Neal helped him.

The night before the Tigers' showdown with the Jayhawks, Williams addressed his teammates. He'd done so many times before, his most memorable speech coming before the Nebraska game when he kicked a marker board bashing a hole in a hotel wall.

After losing at Oklahoma, Williams bought a plate with the Missouri mascot on it to motivate his defensive teammates.

The message: "They don't eat. They don't get nothing.”

Last Friday night, Williams came with a piece of Jayhawk cake. He put it on the plate, then threw it down, smashing the cake and shattering the plate.

"That meant this game was serious because we usually take that plate everywhere,” Missouri defensive back Castine Bridges said.

Williams said sheepishly, "I might have gotten a little too fired up.”

His teammates insist that isn't the case. They rave about his leadership, on and off the field, physically and emotionally.

Williams would like to think he's had an impact on this season, on the Tigers being No. 1 and having a shot at the national championship. But he knows without a doubt that his buddy Aaron O'Neal had an impact on him.

"We just had to make sure that A.O. didn't die for nothin',” Williams said. "We just always remember him.”

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Now this is the kind of sh$# that I have no tolerance for. I'm not going to say that Daniel is the clear leader in the Heisman (Tebow is the leader at this point), but this reasoning for voting is a load of crap..........

"Chase Daniel doesn't get on my Heisman ballot unless Missouri defeats Oklahoma, and he is going to have to be extremely impressive in the process," said Paul Oberjuerge, a columnist for the San Bernardino (Calif.) Sun. "I'm one of those people who very grudgingly accepts non-traditional football powers into the inner circle for rankings and awards and major bowls. Missouri certainly fits the non-traditional profile."

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

How quickly fans also forget that OU lost to Colorado in Boulder, a team that Mizzou beat by 45 points in the very same stadium.

How quickly fans forget that beating OU is considered a benchmark for a program, so they get everyone's best shot almost every week. Until, oh, a week ago, beating Mizzou was considered a 50/50 proposition most years. So let's calm 'er down a notch or two.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

How quickly fans forget that beating OU is considered a benchmark for a program, so they get everyone's best shot almost every week. Until, oh, a week ago, beating Mizzou was considered a 50/50 proposition most years. So let's calm 'er down a notch or two.

1. You obviously don't remember the days when Blake coached OU (which was not that long ago).

2. Last year, Rutgers was a good team. This year, not so much. I don't think it's a stretch by any means to concentrate on this year's results. Up to this point this year, Mizzou is one of the best teams in the nation.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Mizzou B-Ball is absolutely being an obnoxious clown, but you know what? He deserves it. It ain't every day your team comes out of oblivion to be #1 with a chance to win it all (VT fans know that feeling intimately), so if he wants to let it all hang out cut him some slack. It's fun to watch IMO.

No. If his team wins it all, he reserves the right to be cut some slack. But continuing to act this way, he deserves all the negative feedback he's getting, and more. I was actively rooting for Kansas last week because of him, when it really didn't matter to me which team was to lose. This week, I have an obvious rooting interest, but the thought of him having to come back and eat some crow makes the whole Oklahoma victory scenario that much more desirable from where I sit.

For the rest of you Missouri fans, congratulations on a great season, and NOT being an obnoxious clown. Sorry I have to root against you this week, but you are standing in between Ohio State and another crack at the title.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

1. You obviously don't remember the days when Blake coached OU (which was not that long ago).

2. Last year, Rutgers was a good team. This year, not so much. I don't think it's a stretch by any means to concentrate on this year's results. Up to this point this year, Mizzou is one of the best teams in the nation.

So, seriously, your comeback is Rutgers and the 4 years when Oklahoma was horrible? K.