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Missouri looks to clinch Big 12 North title

Nov 15, 2008 - 11:24 AM (11) Missouri (8-2) at Iowa State (2-8), 6:30 pm EST

AMES, Iowa (Ticker) -- With some help from Texas, Missouri can clinch a return trip to the Big 12 Conference championship game this weekend.

On Saturday, the 11th-ranked Tigers visit Iowa State, the only Big 12 team without a conference victory this season.

Missouri (8-2, 4-2 Big 12 North) has won three in a row since dropping back-to-back games against Oklahoma State and Texas, including a 41-24 victory over Kansas State last week.

Playing in what could have been his final home contest, sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin scored three touchdowns and finished with 278 all-purpose yards. Maclin is considered a top NFL prospect and could opt for next year's draft.

The Tigers enter this weekend with a one-game lead over Kansas and Nebraska in the Big 12 North.

If Missouri beats Iowa State, as expected, it will clinch the division title - unless reeling Kansas upsets fifth-ranked Texas on Saturday.

Missouri lost to Oklahoma, 38-17, in last season's Big 12 title game, but then beat Arkansas, 38-7, in the Cotton Bowl for its first New Year's Day bowl win since 1970.

"We just have to focus and continue to try to become a better football team, and we want to play our best football in November," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "There are a lot of things out there but we just have to continue to take care of business."

It appeared that the Big 12 North would be decided in Missouri's annual "Border War" against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29. However, the Jayhawks have dropped three of the last four games.

"A lot of things worked out for us, but we have to go to Iowa State," Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel said. "We can't overlook them and we're going to their house and that's something we definitely have to think about."

Still, Daniel and company could have a field day against the Cyclones (2-8, 0-6 Big 12 North), who have dropped eight in a row.

They came close to snapping the slide last week, but the Cyclones were stopped on Colorado's 1-yard line as time expired. Iowa State has lost seven straight conference games, dating to last season's finale.

Missouri got a test from the Cyclones in Columbia last season, posting a 42-28 victory. The Tigers held only a 28-21 lead midway through the third quarter.