Mizzou in the North

Missouri's demolition of Illinois does two things.

1. It establishes Missouri as a program that isn't going away.

2. It makes - in my mind - the Tigers very much a contender for a third straight Big 12 North title.

A few national pundits, and more than a few regional ones from down Texas way - need to go back an re-read their tea leaves.

Even MU Coach Gary Pinkel couldn't stop himself from saying "I told you so."

"Electric," was nose guard Jaron Baston's word for the 37-9 victory over Illinois.

From what I saw in St. Louis and the egg Nevada laid at Notre Dame, I'll go on record right now that Missouri will roll 4-0 through its non-conference schedule.

Makes that Oct. 8 game in Columbia against Nebraska seem eveny bigger now.