FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons safety William, a native of Hayti, Missouri who played in college for the Missouri Tigers, is expecting an upset victory over Alabama in the SEC championship game which is set for 4 p.m. Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
He was not stunned that the Tigers were able to win the SEC East and make their second consecutive trip to the title game.
“It’s not surprising to me,” said Moore, who as drafted in the second round out of Mizzou by the Falcons in 2009. “When I was there we played SEC teams and we basically came out on top. It’s not surprising to me.”
Alabama is a 14 ½ point favorite to win the game. But Moore doesn’t think that the oddmakers know about the fury that the Tigers plan to unleash on the Crimson Tide.
“I know what Coach (Gary) Pinkel can do and the confidence that the team has,” Moore said. “It’s not surprising to me. I think those guys are going to do it for a few more years.”
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Alabama is led by college coaching czar Nick Saban, while Pinkel was a relative unknown in the South until the Tigers joined the SEC. Pinkel made his name at Toledo and has used recruits from Ohio and Texas to help bolster his Missouri recruiting base.
“He’s been going to championships for a long time,” Moore said. “He did it back in his Toledo days (in the Mid-American Conference.) He gains the trust of his players. He’s a player’s guy. He’ll go to bat for you. Right now, that’s helping us in recruiting. We’ll get a bunch of guys to Missouri. Coach Pinkel goes after guys who are hard nose and like to get after the ball.”
Moore points to his fellow Tigers in the NFL like Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
“Coach Pinkel grooms not only great athletes, but great men and guys off the field,” Moore said. “That’s what he’s about. He preaches to the players about being student-athletes. He wants you to be good in the classroom and at the same time that teaches you lessons that can help you succeed in football.
Pinkel coach at Toledo from 1991 to 2000 and won the MAC championship in 1995. He’s the winningest coach in school history. He worked under the great Don James at Washington from 1979 to 1990.
Pinkel and Saban were teammates at Kent State. His roommate was Jack Lambert, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“His record speaks for itself,” Moore said. “What he’s done is proven. I feel like he should get a little bit more respect than he does. Mizzou has a great football program.”
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