Forget the record. After losing to A&M, I heard how 6-1 was a great record. Then I heard about how 7-2 was a great record after losing to OU and now I'm supposed to cheer for 7-3. The fact is, Mizzou had three chances at quality regular season wins this year and wound up 0-3. With wins against last place Texas Tech, 2-3 K-State and 1-4 Colorado, Missouri boasts no wins against a quality opponent.

I have to believe part of the issue is game day coaching. Missouri's offense and defense have evolved over Pinkel's tenure, but one aspect that's remained consistent is they're extremely simple and predictable. Rarely do I see a play develop where I think Missouri has caught the other team guessing. Under Brad Smith, Missouri could fall back on the scramble, but has no such luxury under Daniel.

Missouri beats teams when they're physically superior. Missouri doesn't beat teams through superior game day coaching.

If Missouri beats Iowa State and KU, some will call the 9-3 season one of our finest. I'll consider it mundane, one in which we beat nine bad teams on a creampuff schedule.

That doesn't mean Missouri isn't on the right track and hasn't improved, but it hasn't shown it yet on the field against a quality opponent.

Still, I can't help but wonder after what I've seen from this staff whether Pinkel can get Mizzou past average.