Missouri’s bye week did not buy the Tigers any breathing room in the rankings.
Despite not playing, Mizzou football slipped three spots in the latest AP Top 25 Poll and now sits at No. 23. The Tigers are 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference, and they remain the last of nine SEC teams ranked in the poll.
Missouri was passed by several teams that made noise over the weekend. Arizona moved up after a 39-3 win over Iowa State, Northwestern climbed after its 42-14 victory over Rutgers, and SMU jumped the Tigers after a 59-20 blowout of California. Florida also rose three spots, even while on a bye, which only added to the head-scratching movement near the middle of the rankings.
The AP poll once again reflected the churn at the top of the sport. Miami snapped a two-week run in which the No. 1 team had fallen, while BYU, which entered the weekend ranked No. 2, was upset by unranked UCF in Orlando.
The full AP Top 25 listed Miami, Ohio State, Georgia, Indiana, Notre Dame, Utah, UCLA, BYU, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Wake Forest, LSU, Tennessee, Florida, Houston, SMU, Boise State, Northwestern, Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin.
Missouri also slipped in the USA Today Coaches Poll, dropping two spots from No. 21 to No. 23.
Boise State and Northwestern both moved ahead of the Tigers after conference wins, while Florida climbed from No. 24 to No. 20.
That poll placed Missouri behind eight other SEC teams after the Tigers beat No. 20 Florida and lost to No.
12 Ole Miss earlier this season. The Tigers still have a difficult run ahead, with games remaining against unranked Arkansas, No.
11 Texas at home, No. 3 Georgia on the road, No.
9 Kentucky at home, and unranked Oklahoma to close the season. Oklahoma has a win over then-No.
1 Texas.
The Coaches Poll listed Miami, Ohio State, Georgia, Indiana, Utah, Notre Dame, UCLA, Kentucky, BYU, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, LSU, Texas Tech, Wake Forest, SMU, Tennessee, Northwestern, Houston, Florida, Arizona, Boise State, Missouri, Iowa and USC.
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Former Mizzou Tigers Are Making Early NFL Noise In A Big Way
The early NFL season has offered a pretty useful reminder of how much Missouri football has been feeding pro rosters lately. Five former Tigers have already made their presence felt, with names like Trotter, McGuire, Bolton, Burden and Membou showing up in all the ways that matter most to evaluators and fans alike, from tackles and sacks to receptions and blocking efficiency.
For Missouri, it is the kind of start that quietly reinforces the programs NFL pipeline without needing much decoration. These are not just roster fillers getting through September and October, either, as each player has found a way to stand out in a different area of the game, giving the Tigers another reason to point to what their development looks like after college. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Offense Nears A Big Ahmad Hardy Turning Point
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The next question is when Hardy will actually be cleared to play again, and that call will come from Missouris medical staff. His return would give the offense another option in the backfield at a time when the Tigers have already had to adjust around his absence, making this a notable development even before he gets back into game action. [Read more 🡒]
Missouri Fans Should Watch LSUs Finish More Closely Than Ever
The playoff conversation around LSU has gotten a little louder in recent days, and it is worth Missouri fans keeping an eye on the ripple effect. CBS Sports analyst Danny Kanell floated the idea that the Tigers could work their way into the College Football Playoff picture even with three losses, leaning on a brutal strength of schedule and the kind of late-season momentum that can change how the committee views a team.
That matters because LSU still has several high-profile tests ahead, including Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas, and how those games play out could reshape the national race in a hurry. For Missouri, the takeaway is simple enough: if LSU keeps stacking quality results down the stretch, the playoff debate could get messy in a way that affects the whole SEC pecking order. [Read more 🡒]