Missouri Tiger head coach Gary Pinkel is not ready to get caught up in all the hype of this week’s game against Oklahoma. When the schedule first came out, and I saw Mizzou had OU for homecoming, I was scratching my head. Now, this proves to be an even bigger game, given all the national attention and first BCS standings.
Pinkel calls it distraction control and says he gives enough credit to his players that they will be able to block out the hype around campus this week surrounding this game against OU, (ranked #1 in the first BCS Standings), Homecoming, and the arrival of ESPN’s College Game Day.
There is no doubt that Missouri’s depth on defense has been a big plus so far and they will be tested again. Not only are they facing their biggest challenge, but linebacker Luke Lambert will miss at least two weeks with a sprained knee and defensive end Aldon Smith is still a question mark and it will not be known until close to game time whether or not he is ready to go for the 7 p.m. kick this Saturday.
Listen to Gary Pinkel’s Big 12 teleconference
One more note. The game at Nebraska has been scheduled for 2:30 on ABC.
