3D: T.J. Hollowell, Demorrio Willliams & Fabian Washington relax in the 4th quarter vs. Troy St. Next up Mizzou Photo By Kelli Kellogg October 9, 2003 ROAD GETS TOUGHER Huskers head to Missouri for first Big 12 road game, see it on TBS By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Until the Missouri Tigers tripped and lost to bitter rival Kansas in Lawrence on September 27, Saturday night’s game vs. Nebraska would have been a match up between two undefeated, ranked teams. The above scenario won’t happen, but don’t let that fact fool you. Missouri (4-1, 0-1) has not defeated nos. 8/10 Nebraska (5-0, 1-0) since 1978, and will be playing at home under the lights in front of a national television audience on TBS Superstation. Kickoff is scheduled for just after 6 p.m. central. The Tigers have had two long weeks to chew on their loss to Kansas and will more than likely be more than ready for Big Red’s arrival. On the other hand, news stories recently have hinted that Mizzou fans may not be quite as pumped up for the game with Nebraska after losing to the Jayhawks. Those “Beat Nebraska” t-shirts aren’t flying off the shelves like they would be if the Tigers were undefeated like the Cornhuskers. We get the feeling things will be plenty pumped up in Columbia Saturday night. A fast start by the Tigers would bring the crowd into the game even more. Over the years, records and rankings of the two teams haven’t really meant that much, especially when the two teams meet up in Columbia. But Nebraska has had the Tigers’ number for a long time now. And Big Red is ready to add another victory to the current streak of 24 victories over Mizzou. On paper, the Huskers should be able to do just that. Nebraska brings the nation’s number one defense into the game with Missouri. The Tigers, which started strong against rushing offenses earlier in the season, has sputtered recently. The Mizzou defense allowed over 200 yards on the ground in each of the past two games. Still, with the exception of the loss on the road at much-improved Kansas, the Tigers have impressive wins over Ball State and Eastern Illinois. The Tigers beat Illinois by a touchdown in the first game of the season, but barely got by Middle Tennessee State 41-40 in Columbia on Sept. 20. With a win, Nebraska would move to 6-0 heading into a home game with Texas A&M. After that, it’s Iowa State in Lincoln, then Texas in Austin. Conceivably, the Huskers could be 8-0 going into the showdown with the Longhorns. But first things first. NU’s offense must improve. The Blackshirts must continue to hold teams to few yards. Penalties and turnovers must stop, except those forced by the Blackshirts. If the improvements keep coming, there’s no stopping Big Red. At least this week. Feedback NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS vs. MISSOURI TIGERS PREVIEW STORIES & LINKS 10-11-03: Missouri gunning to end frustration vs. NU More from GII 10-11-03: Missouri tries to end streak against "Nebraska of old" More from St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10-11-03: Lord is hitting his stride More from LJS 10-11-03: This year's Missouri team lacking magical powers More from LJS 10-11-03: Blackshirts return to dominating ways More from Columbia Daily Tribune 10-11-03: Beware of the cat More from OWH 10-10-03: Tigers prepare to go on the attack against Nebraska More from St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10-10-03: Boz says NU should spy on MU QB More from OWH 10-10-03: Huskers won't give up on running game More from GII 10-09-03: Missouri tries to recover vs. Nebraska More from AP-Yahoo! 10-09-03: Tigers' Smith takes pressure head on More from OWH 10-09-03: Missouri's QB keeps defenses guessing More from OWH 10-08-03: Fans of 4-1 Missouri start doubting Tigers More from OWH 10-08-03: Verticality giving MU offense troubles More from LJS 10-08-03: Last year's success vs. Smith not a factor this year More from LJS 10-06-03: A busy bye week More from Columbia Daily Tribune Husker 2003 Schedule/Results Huskers on ESPN.com Husker Hot Pics Photos from AP Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide