Mizzou/Georgia Game Signals Victory for Tiger Faithful

Mizzou fans, today is yours. Yes, it took quite a while to get here, and there was a bump or two along the way. You have endured 5th downs, kicked balls, Tyus Edney and phrases like "wait till basketball season" to get to this place. You have endured years of losing football, getting mauled by Nebraska, and Quin Snyder to get to this place. But Tiger fan, rest assured that the battle is done, and you have endured. Gary Pinkel has been positioning the program in place for this journey for over a decade now, and today the nation will have the opportunity to witness the fruits of his labor. If you think that Mizzou is not prepared for this, you are wrong. You are dead wrong.


Today, your Missouri Tigers will face the 6th ranked Georgia Bulldogs in front of 71,000 on national tv. Yes, those Georgia Bulldogs. The Hershel Walker, SEC powerhouse, between-the-hedges Georgia Bulldogs. By playing this team, on this day, Mizzou officially joins the club. The SEC welcomed the Missouri Tigers into its storied conference almost 10 months ago, and today those rewards shall be reaped. Be warned, your former Big 12 friends do not know how to handle this. They will snear cliches like "you will get killed in the SEC." And who knows, they may be right. But you have a seat at the table....and they do not. Today, all of America will watch to see if this new kid on the block is ready for this battle, and because of that fact, it is abundantly clear that we already are.

Sports Horn Interviews Texas Tech Guard Luke Adams

Interview With Texas Tech Guard Luke Adams

The Texas Tech Red Raiders won just Big XII game during the 2011/2012 basketball season. They finished the year 8-23 overall, in fact. But as the season got underway this year, there was a player that caught my attention. A wiry, 5'9 150 pound kid who wore always seemed to be sporting a white UnderArmor headband during games. That kid was Luke Adams, a freshman guard for the Red Raiders. He was a prolific high school player, averaging almost 27 points a game as a senior for Big Springs High, but had few Division 1 offers to play basketball. Luke also has unique disposition on the basketball court: He was born deaf. In fact, he wears the headband during games to keep his cochlear implants in place so that he can hear the referees whistle, coaches plays, and teammates while on the court. Luke was kind enough to answer some questions for us recently that we sent him via facebook:

SPORTS HORN: Luke, first, tell us what it was like making the transition from high school to Division 1 basketball this year. You were obviously very prolific high school player!

LUKE: It was a big adjustment. I played a lot with Junior college players at howard junior college in Big Spring. I played with players such as Jae Crowder at Marquette so I have been around some great players.My dad Mark Adams is the coach there. That obviously helped but adjusting to the Big 12 is almost impossible to do. Obviously you have to work hard every single day. I scored alot in high school around 27pts a game. Half the games were box and 1 defenses. 16 to be exact. Scoring in high school helped but it still didnt get me many offers to play div 1 ball which was my dream. many coaches still said I am too small, not talented enough, or just couldnt play at this level especially the big 12. High school helped me a lot but mainly God helping and leading me through the doubts of everyone else. I knew that HAVE to be the most skilled player, smart and especially tough. I still have a long way to go and need to improve a lot. 

SPORTS HORN:  You seem like a very personable guy. One TV broadcaster said that you loved making new friends on facebook! Do you consider yourself to have an outgoing personality?

LUKE:   haha well I try to be outgoing as possible. I want to give back to the people who have supported me. I have been blessed to be where I am and hopefully motivate and change other peoples lives. 

SPORTS HORN:  Obviously, you play basketball with cochlear implants. Tell us what that experience is like. Do they hamper you at all while you are playing?

LUKE: My cochlear implants have changed my life. I was loseing hearing in my right ear. I am extremly blessed to get a cochlear. I was born deaf and the dr. told my parents at age 3 that I would never read above a second grade level, and they should ship me to a deaf school in austin texas to learn to sign and live in the deaf world. My parents never gave up and God helped them to stay strong. They are the reason why I am where I am. I am extremly blessed and grateful for that. Playing with it isn't so bad, I haven't really thought about. I do not have a choice. I try not to feel sorry for myself bc people don't really care. I know that sounds harsh. lol 

SPORTS HORN:  How do opposing players treat you? Do you feel like any guys were out there talking trash to you? Or were you mostly treated with respect during your first year?

LUKE:  I think opposing players treated me a little different because they knew and thought I didn't belong on the court and in reality I do not. But that is how my whole life has been so I can not control what they think. I did not hear much trash talking and if they did I probably did not hear them very well. lol

SPORTS HORN:  How do you feel about Texas Tech basketball moving forward with Billy Gillespie? Many people think he will turn that program around very quickly.

LUKE:  Gillespie is a great coach and his specialty is turning around programs. He works harder than anyone in the country and I have confidence he will make us a top 25 team in the years to come.

My Definitive Star Rating System for Single Females

It's time to throw down the gauntlet. Guys have been trying to put numbers, or letters on girls they see in public for years. "Oh she's about an 8.5," or "A+ right there." Now, what I will be doing is creating a definitive rating system in which females can be fairly judged. This will be a star system, one very similar to the Rivals.com system of rating college athletic recruits. They base their stars (1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest) on many criteria. 40 times, size, speed, strength, statistics etc. So now, you will be able to fairly assign a star to the next chick you go on an awkard match.com date with. There are also different categories that must be employed in each situation to adequately find a rating.  So here it is:

Note: There is an obvious separate rating system based on looks alone. You obviously don't know how many kids the petit blonde has that you just saw from across the bar. Is she cute? Give her a rating. And do not throw out 5 star ratings quickly. That is reserved for the upper 10 percent of hot chicks out there only! Oh and married women are not involved in this rating system. The star system is set up to protray just how datable a chick is aside from just her looks so married women are out. Give them a star rating based on their looks and move on!


* (1 star) Obviously a 1 star single chick is going to have some problems, guys. Starting in the looks department, most likely going to be subpar. But guess what, 1 star prospects sometimes wind up walking on to college football teams (football analogies will be prevalent) and playing a little bit! So if you get at least one star you have something to offer the world. A 1 star prospect will probably have at least 2 kids and you can count on some drama with her ex's. She's going to be the type that has "all guy friends" and claims to "hate drama" but actually lives for it.

** (2 star) Ok, a 2 star has a little bit of potential here. Afterall, ex Mizzou receiver Danario Alexander was a 2 star recruit and is now in the NFL after breaking several receiving records! But unfortunately for a two star talent, that is the exception not the rule. In the looks department, there are going to have to be a few flaws but she can be up to about  a 4 in the looks department. What drags down a 2 star is going to be an excess of children, typically different fathers, a bad personality, no sense of humor, etc. a 4 star chick in the looks department that possesses all the necessary baggage, yep probably going to drop her to a 2 star rating.

*** (3 star) This is going to be the vast majority of females in the dating world. Status quo. Most collegiate prospects are 3 star recruits for a reason. They have a lot of potential, but as of yet, they are not superstars. Basically, if you can snag a solid 3 star your doing pretty well for yourself. A 3 star can still have kids, but is not involved physically with all of their fathers still. She is doing well for herself career wise, or going to school so ambition has to be shown. A 3 star can still jerk you around a little bit, probably will flirt with guys on facebook. Won't tell guys to stop texting her, etc,  Although she could even be a 5 star in the looks department and possibly dragged down by any number of other issues.

**** (4 star) Now we're talking. If you can nab one of these, you better do it. A 4 star most likely has to have 0 kids. If she does it has to be one, and she has to be an amazing mother and she can have no drama with childs dad or other ex's. She has a full time job (or, again, goes to school) and likes to do fun things and can adapt easily to any environment. Likes to hang out with your friends and family and in general. Very hard to come across a 4 star talent because most of them are married. She most likely will turn away guys who try to flirt with her on fb or via text, and probably has to be at least as hot as any of the girls from Bret Michaels "Rock of Love" Although you have to be careful because with a 4 star, expectations are high! They are expected to produce, and it can be devastating if they let you down in certain ways.

***** (5 star) The rarest of the rare. You will most likely never come across a 5 star talent. If you do, marry her tomorrow. This is going to be an insanely hot girl, who has her stuff together, doesn't have kids, is ambitious, funny, talented...So...you know any chicks like that? Me either. You would have to scour the united states with a magnifying glass to come across a 5 star who is available to date you. It would have to be literally the Kelly Kapowski character from Saved By the Bell walking into your life and blowing you away. Good luck with that. Most likely, the only way a 5 star is single is if she is a college student (over 21 of course), or has been locked in someones basement all their lives until the moment they meet you.

So there you have it, start assigning stars right away and always feel free to contact me with more ideas on how to improve the ratings system. Below listed are all categories which must be taken into account (if the info is available) when rating a female.

Looks- Obvious.

Personality- Typically what drags a girl down, but in some cases, can help notch a less-good-looking chick up another star level. Is she witty? or is she bascially mad at the world all the time?

Children- How many does she have? Is she partying every night with them in her care, or is she a good mom who is looking to do the right thing for her and the child. Very key to differentiate early when trying to date a woman with a child.

Ambition- Does she have a job? Does she have interests/hobbies? If watching the "bad girls club" is the only thing this chick likes to do, your going to have to give her a low ambition rating.

history of guy friends- Does this girl seem to have a lot of scruffy looking guys commenting all over her facebook, being passive aggressive and flirty? Does the girl just crave attention from any guy who will give it to her? Or is she good at deflecting them? Better find out!

Drama- A very broad topic which certainly takes into account may things including some of the categories listed. But in the drama department focus on a few things: Does she make batty facebook posts constantly? Things like "the cops are here, i'm safe now, i never want to see Dan again!" Yeah thats going to get you a very low star in the drama category.  Does her ex still stalk her? Is she involved in a custody battle? Does she go out at night with her friends and lose her phone, debit card? If she is realitively drama free give her a good rating here and its going to up her overall rating for sure.

Predictions for the 2011 Missouri Tigers

Miami of Ohio- Win. This one shouldn't be close. James Franklin has a nice outing in his first start tossing two td's. Kendial Lawrence and Devion Moore also add rushing touchdowns. Jimmy Costello or whoever the backup is should be taking snaps by the fourth quarter and Mizzou students will be drinking in celebration by 2:00 p.m.

Score Prediction: Missouri 45 Miami(OH)10

Uniform Prediction: Gold pants! Hell it's gold rush.

Attendance Prediction: 60,098

Random Prediction: Sheldon Richardson will record a sack or a huge tackle for loss and powermizzou will erupt!


at Arizona State- Win. Missouri controls the game but struggles offensively. James Franklin throws two picks but runs and throws for a TD in route to a solid victory.

Score Prediction- Missouri 24 Arizona State 13

Uniform Prediction- All whites. It is going to be HOT in that desert.

Attendance Prediction- Arizona St. rarely sells out home games but they are unavailing new uni's and playing on a friday night on national tv. Lets go with 70,003

Random Prediction: Despite the solid win e will all be concerned with the QB position and will say "if we play like this at OU we will get whitewashed."


Western Illinois- Win. Huge stats day for James Franklin and the running game....In the first half at least. Most starters are sitting sipping G3 midway through the 3rd quarter.

Score Prediction: Missouri 52 Western Illinois 7

Uniform Prediction: All blacks again

Attendance Predcition: 57,482. Fans who weren't at the game complain about this number.

Random Prediction: T.J. Moe makes 10 receptions in this game giving him 25 through the first 3 games. Jaquies Smith earns two personal foul penalties.


at Oklahoma- Loss. Missouri jumps to early lead but OU forces two first half turnovers and never looks back. Defense looks a little shaky in this game and our offense can't get a whole lot going.

Score Prediction: Oklahoma 34 Missouri 14

Uniform Prediction: White jerseys with gold pants, typically a winning uniform combo.

Attendance Prediction: 80, whatever the hell thousand. Sellout. Lots of people wearing crimson and sporting jorts and mullets.

Random Prediction: powermizzou meltdown following loss. "This team is done."

at Kansas State- Win. Grandpa Snyder, using football tactics from the 1940's to try to squeeze wins out of a talentless squad but is overpowered by Missouri on this day. Franklin and the offense get back on track and Mizzou's defense holds Bryce Brown to 49 yards rushing. Snyder calls timeouts and multiple onside kicks to make the score look better than it was.

Score Prediction: Missouri 41 Kansas State 21

Uniform Prediction: Back to all whites. Boring.

Attendance Prediction: 43,450 people sitting in a stadium that smells bad.

Random Prediction: Kevin Kietzman will say that K-St had this game in their grasp all along had it not been for State turning the ball over 5 times because that will never happen again.


Iowa State (homecoming) Win. Iowa State comes in dressed like USC again except slow, nonathletic and going nowhere on offense. Missouri keeps the ball on the ground as Franklin, Josey and Lawrence all have rushing td's.

Score Prediction: Missouri 35 Iowa Sate 13

Uniform Prediction: Black jerseys, gold pants. Hey it's homecoming.

Attendance Prediction: 71,000. SOLD OUT.

Random Prediction: a pundit for ESPN will pick Iowa St to win this game and Mizzou fans will want him dead. Brad Pitt attends the game.


Oklahoma State- Win. The Cowboys come in undefeated but leave with a heartbreaking loss. James Franklin lights it up through the air and the running game supplements the effort. Oklahoma State's vaunting passing attack is thwarted by constant pressure from Mizzou's defense as well as several key turnovers. Mizzou avenges 2008 loss at home to this squad.

Score Prediction: Missouri 28 Oklahoma State 20.

Uniform Prediction: All black uni's.

Attendance Prediction: 71,000 sellout #2!

Random Prediction: Missouri will only be ranked around 16th by this point with several lesser 1 loss teams ahead of them. College Gameday almost came to COMO again, but shunned us for a random S.E.C. game where the final score winds up 7-3.


at Texas A&M- Loss. The Aggies offense explodes and avenges their loss to Mizzou in 2010. Franklin has a rough go of it throwing multiple picks and 0 touchdowns. Jeff Fuller lights up our secondary and has a huge game.

Score Prediction: Texas A&M 27 Missouri 14.

Uniform Predictions: White jerseys, black pants. We look cool despite the loss.

Attendance Prediction: 70,000 but a few smatterings of empty seats in upper corners.

Random Prediction: A&M fans have signs saying "we don't need you Texas!"


at Baylor- Loss. Baylor is only .500 by this point but yet another lackadaisical performance against the Bears leads to our second straight loss in the state of Texas. Griffin is too much as our offense once again fails to achieve any key plays through the air.

Score Prediction: Baylor 23 Missouri 20.

Uniform Prediction: All white.

Attendance Prediction: 25,678, with only about half of them caring.

Random Prediction: "This seasons over, pack it up folks!" will commonly be heard.


Texas- Win. The Hornz come in with two losses and leave with a third. Missouri's defense bucks up and forces Gilbert into key turnovers. James Franklin throws 3 td's in route to a Mizzou blowout win.

Score Prediction: Missouri 37 Texas 16.

Uniform Prediction: All gold. Just do it!

Attendance Prediction: 71,000 sellout #3! wait, no its deer season that weekend. Scratch that. 62,345 will be announced.

Random Prediction: A few dozen Mizzou students try to rush the field and are arrested. A few evade police intervention for so long that the fans take notice and begin cheering.


Texas Tech- Win. Tech is a beaten down squad by this point and Missouri is back on track. Mizzou gets it done on the ground and through the air on this day (Blaine Gabbert will not be at the helm so this prediction is valid). Tech leads early but the Tigers overtake them with ease.

Score Prediction: Missouri 42 Texas Tech 24.

Uniform Prediction: All black. It's the blackout game.

Attendance Prediction: The weather will be slighty bad and deer hunters will still be in the woods around campfires, drinking PBR and looking for bambi. 59,242.

Random Prediction: Bowl game rumors will begin to surface. Iowa State, who is 5-6 at this point will be rumored to be in a better game than us.

Kansas- Win. The Jayhawks come in with only two wins on the season but the KC media makes it seem like they are largely improved. Pinkel holds the team back from murdering the Beaks yet again.

Score Prediction: Missouri 35 Kansas 10.

Uniform Prediction: White jersey, black pants

Attendance Prediction: 61,012 fans mostly wearing the colors black or gold. KU fans muttering something about that basketball sport.

Random Prediction: A KU linebacker will say after the game "We're not scared of them, we can't wait to play em next year. We bringing the heat!"

So that gives us a total record of 9-3. Oklahoma State goes to the Cotton Bowl with the same record and Mizzou goes to the Holiday where they are beaten by a 10-2 Oregon team.

2011 NFL Predictions

Well The lockout is over and it's time to buckle up the chin straps on the 2011 football season.

AFC

West

1. San Diego Chargers (11-5). They've already been handed the division by media outlets. Can they right all their wrongs from 2010?

2. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8). This Chiefs team may be better than a year ago, but will it show up in the record books? Brutal schedule could leave KC without a playoff birth.

3. Oakland Raiders (6-10). They went 8-8 in 2010 but lose their head coach, best corner and best lineman. Predicting the silver and black to take a step back in 2011 but improved quarterback play could help prove me wrong.

4. Denver Broncos (4-12). Changes abound in Denver. John Fox inherits a poor football team and must now deal with the "will Tebow start?" questions from day 1. Could be a long year in the Rocky Mountains.

South

1. Indianapolis Colts (10-6). If Peyton Manning returns from neck surgery then Indy should still be the team to beat in the South. Health in the backfield as well as the receiving corps will be the difference. 

2. Houston Texans (8-8). Will never predict them above 8-8 until they actually achieve it.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) A franchise that is wallowing in mediocrity doesn't see the light of day just yet.

4. Tennessee Titans (5-11) New coach, new QB...Chris Johnson holding out. Long year in Nashville.

East

1. New England Patriots (13-3) The Pats are primed for yet another title run. Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth could contribute if they decide not to be malcontents.  

2. New York Jets (11-5). The NFL and ESPN won't allow the Jets to fall below 11 wins.

3. Buffalo Bills (7-9). Improvement coming, but not quite soon enough for Buffalo.

4. Miami Dolphins (6-10). They've made some nice additions but still appear to be at the bottom of this division.

North

1. Baltimore Ravens (12-4). This team is always 12-4.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6). Always tough but lose out ultimately to Baltimore this season.

3. Cleveland Browns (4-12). Still in the NFL's witness protection program.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-13). Disaster in Cincy.   Carson Palmer doesn't want to be there....Wait...No one wants to be there.

NFC

West

1. St. Louis Rams (9-7). The Rams finally get back to the top of the division on the arm of Sam Bradford.

2. Seattle Seahawks (7-9). 7 wins won't win the division this year.  

3. Arizona Cardinals (7-9). The Cards are on the upswing but will all their new pieces fit?

4. San Francisco 49ers (5-11). Alex Smith is still this team's quarterback...in 2011.

South

1. Atlanta Falcons (13-3). A lot of momentum for this franchise and may be the team to beat in the NFC in 2011.

2. Tampa Bay Bucs (10-6). Young, talented team makes playoffs after surprising 2010 campaign.

3. New Orleans Saints (8-8) injuries derail Saints as they fail to make playoffs.

4. Carolina Panthers (2-14). Yeah they are that bad.

East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4). They got pretty much every free agent imaginable and return a great corps of talent.  

2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7). Not quite a playoff team but improved under Jason Garrett.

3. New York Giants (8-8). Fans start growing restless.

5. Washington Redskins (6-10). Currently a terrible franchise.

North

1. Green Bay Packers (13-3). Superbowl Champs...and they are healthy now.

2. Chicago Bears (9-7). Borderline playoff team. The bears are an every-other-year team so we will see what Cutler does in 2011.

3. Detroit Lions (8-8). a .500 record for the Lions!!

4. Minnesota Vikings (5-11). No Favre, but insert journeyman Donovan McNabb who doesn't have much left in the tank. Bad season.   
 

Kansas and Texas Prove to be Best in Big XII

In a season that saw the Texas Longhorns blow a two game conference lead to the Kansas Jayhawks; it's certainly fitting that the two will play for the Big XII Championship tonight in Kansas City. Texas came to Kansas City on a mission and steamrolled their way to the finals with impressive wins over Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Kansas Jayhawks struggled through a last second win over Oklahoma St, and won a shootout with a hot Colorado team last night.

So we now know their will be no "fluke" Big XII champion this season. These two teams have proven to be the top dogs in this conferene throughout the course of the year. Pre-season predictions saw Kansas State chosen as the favorite and teams like Missouri hot on their heels. It is aparant that those schools currently do not have the coaching or personell to compete with Kansas on a consistent basis. The Jayhawks have won seven straight regular season conference chamionships which is as dominate as it sounds. Texas have been the team knocking on Kansas' door for the past several seasons under Rick Barnes. Tonight will tell us whether the Horns are ready to take the next step to conference dominance. They have the talent to win this game, but will a pro-KU crowd be the difference? You have to believe it will.

Mike Anderson: Why He May Not Be "The Guy"

Mike Anderson came to Missouri in 2005 after Quin Snyder helped crumble a once proud basketball program. Within three seasons, Anderson had guided a Mizzou squad to an Elite 8 and a Big XII Championship. Since then, however, his last two teams have appeared to get progressively worse and in 2011 the team has won a total of two true road games. After last nights dismal performance at Nebraska, it is clear that this team is missing all sorts of parts. They have not one big man down low that can demand double teams, rebound, or become a serious scoring threat. This is in year FIVE of Anderson's tenure at Missouri.

I would never advocate that Anderson be fired. He is a wonderful guy, solid coach, and an excellent mentor to the kids he brings in. The problem is that in-state recruits are literally running away from this program. The last two seasons, Anderson's top recruits have failed to qualify leaving gaps in scholoraships and players at Mizzou.

Yesterday on 810 AM, Doug Gottlieb floated the possibility that Arkansas will fire their coach at the end of this season and will "not take no for an answer" from Anderson. Now the last two seasons Coach Anderson has flirted with other jobs. In 2009 it was Memphis, and last season it was Oregon. Missouri upped his pay to keep him. Now what if Arkansas throws their SEC money at Anderson this off season? What has he done since 2009 to demand ANOTHER pay increase? This will be a difficult decision for Mike Alden if it comes to pass considering the lack of recruiting Anderson has accomplished in the past two seasons. I think Anderson should be allowed to walk if this occurs. Missouri is a solid program with great facilities which would lure any number of coaching prospects to Columbia. Maybe one who can land an elite recruit that lives in the state of Missouri.


-By Clint Switzer