83. Sheldon Richardson. Because Missouri has a habit of producing high-personality defenders who end up first-round draft picks (Sean Weatherspoon, Aldon Smith, Ziggy Hood), and because Richardson might be next.

Missouri at Texas A&M. Pass defense is turned off pregame for old times' sake. It's in the options menu no one ever uses. Nick Saban is in the sixth season of the sickest dynasty mode game right now.

"But those things happen. I mean, I don't know what to tell you. You just adjust. It's a cry for backup players to get ready to play."

At the same time, however, the insecurity has been stoked, dramatically and repeatedly. Fans from their former conference, with a sneer on their faces, have not hesitated to tell Mizzou fans just how much their team is about to get its butt kicked. Fans from their new conference, with a welcoming grin on their faces, have not hesitated to tell Mizzou fans just how much their team is about to get its butt kicked. The step up in competition is both clearly definable and drastically overstated (the Big 12 is a really strong conference, and one that plays nine conference games instead of just eight), but the good news for fans is that games begin in fewer than two weeks. At that point, for better or worse, Mizzou will begin to learn exactly what it got itself into in leaving its old conference rivals for a spate of new ones.

#Mizzou's afternoon practice cancelled, replaced with trip to the movies. Choice of "Bourne Legacy" or "The Campaign"

#Mizzou OL Chris Freeman has left the program.

In case you missed it, former #Mizzou TE Michael Egnew signed with the #Dolphins today: [LINK]

What about playing against the higher competition in the SEC? I made my commitment before they came to the SEC. When I heard that, I was fine with that. the reason I wanted to play for the Big 12 because that was a great conference and the reason I chose Mizzou is because its close to home. And now that they're going to the SEC its a better conference and I'm going to be playing against better opponents and its just a great opportunity for me to get better.

What do you say to people when they ask how you could turn down all that money? I tell them that I believe in myself and in what I'm doing and what Missouri's going to do for me, and I'm going to walk away with a lot more money than that in three years

Can we safely say there's a zero per cent chance a surprise is going to come up before the deadline? Is it a done deal? Done deal

[Paul] O'Liney hasn't forgotten about the Tigers, either. With the move to the Southeastern Conference, his former program has joined his geographical territory, which means he'll get to attend Missouri games in person against LSU and rib his various family members who work at the school. Best of all, he'll get to share it with the little girl that has nobody else but him.

"I'm gonna take my daughter to all the games," O'Liney said. "I can't wait."

In English, a player the Pistons were delighted to draft with the 44th pick, Joe Dumars and his staff feel they’re getting someone who addresses a smorgasbord of needs. They wanted to get bigger and more athletic on the wings.They wanted perimeter players who fit the mold of what Lawrence Frank wants coming off of his bench: players who first and foremost are motivated defenders. They wanted to get shooters who stretch the floor with their 3-point marksmanship.

Check, check and check. The bonus: English is a dedicated gym rat, a rookie of rare maturity and someone the Pistons see as prime leadership material.

"Trust me," Joe Dumars told reporters after the draft. "He’ll be the most impressive young guy you guys have dealt with in a long time."