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News about Missouri’s stop atop the Big 12 North in the preseason poll surprised some folks.

That group included a few Tigers.

Missouri defensive tackle and Midwest City product Lorenzo Williams remembers opening the morning paper not so long ago and seeing the headline. He admitted Tuesday during Big 12 Media Day that he was taken aback.

“I was kind of surprised about that myself,” he said.

Perhaps the Tigers are the best in the North.

Then again, someone had to be picked to win the division.

– Jenni Carlson