The Tigers, wow ... what a disappointment.

Lack of execution. Lack of production.

Getting beat in all areas of the game, when everything was on the line.

To get to this point and flop like this, well, who do you blame? The coaches? The players?

Both, I think you'd agree. The excitement and buzz has turned into disappointment and despair.

How could this happen?

Stupid Tigers.

But enough about Detroit, because baseball season is over.

Last week, the Cardinals left their hearts --- and their season --- in San Francisco and the Giants took it from there, taking the broom to the Tigers in the World Series.

Pitchers and catchers report in 3 1/2 months. We'll see you then, baseball fans.

Oops, I just read what I just wrote. If you thought I was talking about the MISSOURI Tigers, wow, my bad!

Because our Missouri Tigers are on a winning streak, baby, a one-game winning streak. A win over Kentucky --- a powerhouse in basketball, an outhouse in football.

But it was an SEC win, nonetheless --- Missouri's first ever, which moved the Tigers to 4-4 on the season.

Now comes the question, will the Tigers win again in 2012? Can they get those last two wins to become bowl eligible?

Next up, Saturday's trip to Florida, which will almost certainly be a loss. The Gators are 17-point favorites to make it so.

Looking down the road, a victory at home against Syracuse would be win No. 5; if Missouri could steal one at either Tennessee or Texas A&M, that would be win No. 6.

If that happens, the Tigers would be 6-6 and be eligible to play in the Nobody's-Ever-Heard-of-and-Nobody-Cares-About Bowl, sponsored by a rental car company that was formed about 20 minutes ago.

But that would sure beat 4-8.

Elsewhere around the state, let's take a look at the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. Ugh.

This look is painful and not advised --- like looking at the Sun on an August afternoon.

The Rams may be getting slightly better but it's hard to tell, especially in the last two weeks. What did they do to deserve Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers, then New England and Tom Brady, in back-to-back weeks?

At least they got a trip to London out of the deal.

So, it's not all bad. Quarterback Sam Bradford still has an upside, there's some young talent on defense, and first-year coach Jeff Fischer is a proven winner.

It just won't happen this year.

Then we have the Chiefs who, along with the Royals, continue to perpetuate the calendar of losing in Kansas City.

What did Kansas City and the rest of our wonderful state do to deserve THIS?

Here's the difference between the Rams and Chiefs:

The Chiefs' quarterbacks have nothing but a downside --- Brady Quinn was a remarkable 2-for-4 for one yard and one interception, not quite Fantasy numbers, against the Raiders on Sunday --- there's no talent on defense, other than Derrick Johnson, and coach Romeo Crennel is a proven loser as a head coach.

When you hear Crennel speak, he's less inspiring than outdated cheese. The team plays likewise.

And this stat is absolutely stunning: The Chiefs have not had the lead for ONE SECOND of regulation play this season, a span of seven games and 420 minutes.

This hasn't happened in the National Football League since 1940. Or, to put it another way, before World War II.

Really? Can this happen? Wouldn't they get the lead just once, even if it were just by accident? Why does Todd Haley suddenly look like a genius? Could the Chiefs beat Alabama?

So many questions, so few answers.

So, to summarize, here's the State of our teams around the State.

Stink.

Stank.

Stunk.

On the bright side, Missouri beat Northwest Missouri State something like 134-12 in an exhibition basketball game Monday night. The Tigers appear to be loaded this season, so perhaps they can provide us a blanket of sports warmth this winter.

Even better, Norfolk State is not on the schedule.

Go Tigers --- the Missouri ones, not Detroit.