The original version of this post appeared on November 16, 2008.
With all due respect to the good people of Shreveport, La., the Independence Bowl is rarely a program-defining game. It is indeed a bowl, a reward for winning at least half of your football games, and that is something in and of itself. But while Mizzou has had the opportunity to play there three times in the Gary Pinkel era, two were mostly forgettable.
But while this program has had many "turning points" through the years, from signing Brad Smith in 2001, to beating Nebraska in 2003, to signing Chase Daniel, to reaching No.