Southeastern Louisiana Lions (0-0) at Missouri Tigers (0-0) – Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium – Columbia, Mo. KICKOFF: 6:07 p.m. CDT.
A NEW ERA BEGINS, FOR REAL
Often times, the start of a new football season brings out requisite hyperbolic claims and over-the-top statements about “new eras” or “charting a new path” or something of that ilk.
For the University of Missouri, however, that claim is absolutely grounded in reality, as Mizzou embarks on an historic new era in 2012 with its initial season of membership in the Southeastern Conference. MU’s move to the powerful league officially began July 1, 2012, less than eight months after the historic announcement made on the MU campus on November 6, 2011.
When Mizzou takes to the field Saturday evening for the 2012 season opener against Southeastern Louisiana, it will be as part of a league which has won the last six consecutive BCS national titles.
For you history buffs, here’s a look at Mizzou’s conference affiliation history in football:
1907-27 – Missouri Valley Conference
1928-47 – Big Six
1948-57 – Big Seven
1958-95 – Big Eight
1996-2011 – Big 12
MIZZOU WATCH-LISTERS IN 2012
A trio of Tigers find themselves on pre-season watch lists for various national awards. Here’s a quick look at what Tigers are drawing attention:
James Franklin, QB (Jr.) – Maxwell / Manning / Walter Camp / Davey O’Brien
Zaviar Gooden, LB (Sr.) – Butkus
Brad Madison, DE (Sr.) – Hendricks
T.J. Moe, WR (Sr.) – Biletnikoff / Hornung