You make several good points, Jimmie. Mizzou under Pinkel has gone to great lengths to disappoint over the past few seasons. They continue to lose to teams that they should wallop (which come become a real factor this year if they can't get by Illinois and Mississippi). But this year's installment might surprise. Daniel is the real article and the Tigers have the added advantage of hosting Callahan and company. Forget the Big 12 title, but the Big 12 North is attainable and Pinkel knows fully well (as was demonstrated by last season's attempt to put on a happy face with the media and administration that he's been alienating for years with his grumpy - dare I say it? - Bob Stoopslike behavior) that if he slips up and puts in another sub-par year by going 6-6 or 7-5 when he should be winning nine games, he could be headed for an untenured position at Montana State.