Columbia, Mo. – The Missouri Tigers saw their College Football Playoff (CFP) ranking slip from No. 18 to No. 22 on Tuesday night following a 34‑20 defeat at home to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday.
Missouri entered the game leading 20‑13 late in the third quarter, but Texas responded with a decisive 21‑0 run to close the fourth quarter. The loss not only cost the Tigers four spots in the CFP poll but also highlighted several controversial calls and replay reviews that drew comments from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey on Monday.
Game recap
Missouri’s offense got off to a solid start, building a seven‑point lead midway through the third quarter. However, the Longhorns’ defense tightened, forcing turnovers and limiting the Tigers to just three points after the break. Texas capitalized on the momentum, scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the final period.
Key moments included a disputed pass interference call that extended a Texas drive and a replay review that overturned a potential Missouri interception. Both plays were cited by the SEC as examples of the league’s commitment to accurate officiating.
Impact on rankings
The CFP committee’s second‑edition rankings reflected the outcome. Texas improved from No. 7 to No. 6, while Missouri’s drop to No. 22 puts the Tigers outside the top‑20 for the first time this season.
Missouri’s next challenge is an away game against No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, a test that could either halt the slide or deepen it. A week later, the Tigers will host Kentucky, which fell five spots to No. 11 after a 28‑point loss to Tennessee.
Looking ahead
Coach Eli Drinkwitz emphasized the need for resilience, noting that the team will focus on “fundamentals and finishing strong” as they prepare for the Georgia matchup. He also praised his players’ effort despite the setback, underscoring the program’s commitment to a competitive season.
Fans can catch the Georgia game at 2:30 p.m. Central Time, with kickoff set for the Bulldogs’ home field in Athens, Ga.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
