JACK'S SMACK: KU, K-State will miss playing Mizzou

College football season has finally arrived.

It’s time to move past the hatred and vitriol created by Missouri's defection to the SEC.

The Tigers, in a way, seem to be left on an island around here. Of course, it's by their own choice.

Many KU and K-State fans now seem to think KC belongs to them.

The Jayhawks and Wildcats are like blood cousins.

There's no rivalry between the two teams. They're going to miss playing Missouri, for that reason.

Despite all the positive vibes about the Big 12 getting its act together, Mizzou fans say there's no remorse for leaving and they certainly don't want a do-over.

It would be nice if we all could live in peace as we go forward, but we know that ain't happening.

So here we go. It's time to tee it up.

Missouri gets a glorified practice scrimmage against Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

It's a bought-and-paid-for victory, a tune-up for next week's showdown with Georgia.

It will be interesting to watch Charlie Weis and his Kansas Jayhawks.

Remember, KU had the worst defense in college football last year. The Jayhawks gave up 43 points and 500 yards a game -- ouch!

Turner Gill pretty much destroyed that football program in a brief two years.

KU will get better. They've got a real quarterback and should win this opener, but you must keep it mind, it's still Kansas.

Bill Snyder has it rolling again in Aggieville.

Collin Klein is the toughest quarterback in America. If that K-State defense is just respectable, the Wildcats are capable of pulling off a few surprises.

I'm still not sure they're a top 25 team, not with the brutal road schedule -- games at Oklahoma, West Virginia and TCU.

Anyhow, I'm going to miss sparring with the KU and K-State fans when they play Missouri.

When it's all said and done, I do think Mizzou is better prepared to compete on this big stage, in the best football conference in America.

So let the games, and the trash talk, begin.

That's Jack’s Smack.