Loss takes luster off Tigers-'Huskers battle

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- In August, Nebraska and Missouri both could have envisioned being 5-0 headed into their Big 12 showdown. At least one team held up its end of the bargain.

The 10th-ranked Huskers (5-0, 1-0) bring a perfect record into Saturday night's game. Missouri (4-1, 1-0) is still smarting from a fourth-quarter collapse at Kansas two weeks ago, it's last game, spoiling the aura of an unbeaten matchup that had assured a sellout.

The 35-14 loss, coming after a 14-13 third-quarter lead, knocked Missouri out of the Top 25. It also created serious doubt among its fan base, still waiting for third-year coach Gary Pinkel to turn around the program.

"Like they say, you're never as good as people say you are, and you're never as bad as people say you are," tight end J.D. McCoy said. "It was a tough loss, but no one here is hanging their head.

"The best remedy would be to get out there and beat Nebraska."

Easier said than done. Nebraska hasn't lost to Missouri since 1978, a run of 24 straight victories, and hasn't lost in Columbia, Mo., since 1973.

No current Missouri or Nebraska player was even born the last time the Tigers won in this lopsided series, which Nebraska leads 61-32-3 overall. The Huskers, who have averaged 41 points their last four trips to Missouri, were a touchdown favorite to win again over a program that is seeking only its third winning season in the last 20 years.

Missouri has lost 45 in a row to Top 10 teams since winning at Mississippi State on Oct. 3, 1981.

Most satisfying about this season for Nebraska is the fact that the team wasn't ranked at the start of the season coming off a disappointing 7-7 showing. Two of the victories have come against Oklahoma State and Penn State, which both beat the Huskers last year.

"We're right on track to where we want to be," offensive guard Mike Erickson said. "It's been a lot of fun these first five games."

Missouri, of course, is not on track. The Kansas loss was tough for Pinkel and players to deal with.

"There's a certain point where you let something go," Pinkel said. "If you're thinking about the past it has absolutely nothing to do with making you better.

"You've got to evaluate, you've got to go on, and I think our players have done that."

Missouri's biggest edge could be an extra week to prepare.

"That's usually a big benefit for a team and that part of it worries us some," Nebraska coach Frank Solich said. "We have enough time to prepare well, so we expect it will be a game that comes down to how both teams execute."

Both teams feature big-play quarterbacks. Missouri's Brad Smith hasn't been nearly as explosive as in his breakout redshirt freshman season, but has completed 67 percent of his passes -- best in the Big 12 -- and has not thrown an interception.

"I think I can play a whole lot better," Smith said. "I think that just comes with the maturity, and going through the season.

"Hopefully you can play better toward the end of the season and learn from the first games you play."

Jammal Lord, a fifth-year senior, was one of the players criticized most last year at Nebraska. This year he's rushed for 340 yards and five touchdowns, and also has completed 55 percent of his passes for two touchdowns.

The game likely will hinge, however, on how the nation's No. 1-ranked defense does against Missouri. Nebraska is coming off its first shutout in nearly three seasons, a 30-0 victory over Troy State, and Josh Bullocks leads the nation with five interceptions.

"I'm all for 'Let's win with defense,"' Solich said. "You look at the history of Nebraska football and generally that's been the case.

"Having a great defense is the right place to start when you're trying to win games."