Missouri’s game against Missouri State is interesting for any number of reasons, though almost none of them involve the actual game on the field. For one thing, it’s the first time in almost 100 years that these in-state programs will meet on the gridiron. For another, Stec’s back.
Dave Steckel, a Gary Pinkel assistant at Missouri for 14 seasons (eight as linebackers coach, six as defensive coordinator), is entering his third year as the Bears’ head coach.
How’s Stec doing? Depends on how you set the bar. On paper, things have been a struggle. The Bears are just 5-17 in his first two seasons, and after ranking 162nd or better in the Sagarin ratings for each of the six years before his arrival, they ranked just 226th and 185th, respectively.