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Mizzou has given us a myriad of things to be thankful for this year, why don't we reminisce about some of them?
Colt 45
The "Hellbender" defense
A.K.A. "not a 3-3-5" A.K.A. the "30-Stac" A.K.A. "IT IS A 3-3-5 SHUT UP STEC." (We even took a vote on the name) We debuted our take on the stack against Indiana, and it was glorious. If I wanted to pinpoint a moment in the season when our defense went from a question mark to an exclamation point, our shift to the Hellbender would be it. That shift sparked a streak of defensive performances that I'm incredibly thankful for.
Michael Sam's sack dance
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The whole damn D-Line, actually
We lead the SEC in sacks, ladies and gentlemen. The whole SEC. We lead the SEC in sacks. WE LEAD THE SEC IN SACKS. I just want to type that sentence over and over and over again because it makes me so happy.
The O-Line dancing to Christmas music
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DGB's insane vertical
Moved goal posts
Coming into this season, I thought we were a 7-win team. We've won 10 games and we still have at least two more to go. There are situations where Missouri could absolutely, justifiably play for the national championship, and for that I am certainly thankful.
James Franklin's methodical annihilation of defenses
He's so damn efficient. He makes all the right reads, he doesn't take unnecessary risks, and before you know it he's putting the ball in the end zone. I'm thankful that Mr. Franklin is healthy, because there aren't many players in college football who deserve to finish off their career on a high note more than James.
Maty Mauk's random explosiveness
As efficient and methodical as James is, Maty is the opposite. And I am so incredibly thankful for that. He is Brett Favre in a Missouri uniform, and he is going to be a fantastic player for us. Mauktober is more than a month, it's a way of life.
HENRY EFFIN' JOSEY
(courtesy of commenter tron423)
Josh Henson's promotion
Our offense is putting up silly numbers, and a lot of that has to do with this wonderful man. Pinkel sure knows how to pick 'em, doesn't he?
41 straight games
The takeaway streak might be my favorite thing about our defense, and that's saying something. I'm thankful for the streak itself, I'm thankful that it's a team effort to keep it going, I'm thankful for players like EJ Gaines who keep it going, and I'm thankful that it won't be coming to and end any time soon. [knocks on all the wood in the Ozarks]
#MIZSeniors
If you haven't read Fullback U's glorious post about our seniors rightchea, do yourself a favor and change that right now. These guys are the reason our program is where it's at today, and I'm so thankful to have such upstanding gentlemen associated with my alma mater. I'm really going to miss these guys.
Our players giving me sweet GIF opportunities
And finally, I'm thankful for the RMN readership
We may not be the biggest blog on the web, but I would put our commentariat up against anyone else's. You guys are the reason that this site continues to publish some of the best content around. The discussions here are cordial, informed, and inviting to strangers.
I started out as a simple lurker. When I started commenting, I immediately fell in love with the community, which made me want to find a way to give back. I started making GIFs in order to achieve that goal, and that led me to where I am now. I am humbled to have the opportunity to write things that our readers enjoy, and I'm thankful that you are all amazing people.