2005 Missouri Tigers Handicapping Review

 

By Tom Wilkinson

 

The Missouri Tigers were coming off a promising 2003 season in which they went 8-5 straight up and 8-4 against the odds. Mizzou got the cash in six of their final seven regular season games and got an invite to the Independence Bowl, MU’s first bowl appearance since 1998 and only its third since 1983. With record setting quarterback Brad Smith and a veteran defense returning, Mizzou was the pick of many in the media, and at online sports betting blogs, to take the Big 12 North title.

Mizzou’s 2004 season opener was a clue that the Tigers were overrated as they were clearly overpriced as 33-point home chalks in their season opening 52-20 win over Arkansas State. On Thursday Night ESPN television in their next game at Troy, Mizzou was humiliated 14-24 as 10.5-point chalks. The Tigers bounced back with a strong 48-0 bombing of Ball State as 27.5-point chalks to get back on track and regain the trust of skeptical sports bettors. In their next game as 7.5-point chalks against Colorado, a team that traditionally gave them trouble, Mizzou prevailed 17-9 to not only get the money, but the respect of doubters at online sports betting blogs who now posted their full belief in Mizzou’s turnaround and run to the Big 12 North title. Mizzou next pushed a 30-10 win at Baylor and then played Texas very tough in a 20-28 loss as 13.5-road dogs. Many sports bettors were impressed with Mizzou’s cover at Texas and four game undefeated streak against the odds.

The Tigers came home to face Oklahoma State and were installed as 3.5-point chalks. After opening a quick lead Mizzou failed to adjust to Oklahoma State’s tactical changes and lost 17-20. This game marked the end of Mizzou’s season, as they never recovered from this stunner.

In their next game as 2.5-point chalks at Nebraska, Mizzou was dominated 3-24. This was followed by a 24-35 loss to Kansas State as 4-point home chalks. MU blew a large lead against the Wildcats. Kansas came calling next and, despite talk of seeking revenge for an embarrassing 2003 loss at Lawrence, as well as needing wins in their last two games to bowl, MU was flat in a 14-31 loss as 11-point home chalks. By this point Mizzou was written off at online sports betting blogs. Their finale was at Iowa State, who needed only to beat MU in order to gain the Big 12 title game. ISU was bet all the way up to 4.5-points and topped many bettor’s lists of football picks but Mizzou won a stunner, 17-14 in overtime.