Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel joined the other SEC coaches on their first media teleconference of the season to reflect on spring practices and also look ahead to September. Mizzou debuts in the SEC on September 8, when they host the Georgia Bulldogs. Pinkel said the game and atmosphere around Columbia and Faurot Field will be “mammoth.”
Pinkel was also quick to point out to SEC reporters that the Tigers have played in some big games in recent years, including homecoming two years ago when undefeated Missouri knocked off #1 Oklahoma. I believe Pinkel was trying to allude to the fact that the Tigers would not come into the SEC wide-eyed and in awe of their new rivals and their fans. Pinkel said once the hype of this first year passes, Missouri and Texas A & M will settle into the league.
As far as the players being asked about moving the SEC and if they’ll be able to handle the move, Pinkel said he told his players, “As the new kids on the block, they’ll have to earn respect.”
AUDIO Gary Pinkel’s SEC teleconference (13:00)