The road to the SEC East goes through Columbia ... Missouri?

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...ntinue-to-fall-sec-title-hopes-remain-strong-​

The road to the SEC East travels through Columbia, Mo. No. 8 Missouri moved to 6-0 by upsetting Georgia, driving the division into a tizzy. The Tigers are the first bowl-eligible team in the division and virtually control their SEC East destiny with No. 22 Florida and No. 11 South Carolina visiting the next two weeks.

Even when the Tigers win, they lose. On the day of the program's first road win over a top-10 team in 32 years, quarterback James Franklin was knocked out with what may be a season-ending should separation. This is also why Missouri moved to the SEC -- to win at the highest level. It is 1½ seasons into its new conference and it is one of only two unbeaten SEC teams. No. 1 Alabama is the other.

The SEC's national title hopes are different, but deep: No. 6 LSU, Alabama, No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 8 Missouri.

The Tigers were ranked #25 in the AP poll going into Athens Saturday, after the writers largely ignored Mizzou's 5-0 start, supposedly against weaker opponents. But then, when you've got the #8 ranked offense and the # 5 ranked defense in the country, your opponents are all "weaker." They leaped to #14 in the AP, and their #8 rank in the Power Poll (based on strength of schedule, offensive and defensive performances, etc.) is up from #23 going into the Georgia game.

With Franklin injured, the question is, can freshman Maty Mauk keep the Tigers rolling? There are a few things we do know for sure. Mauk is a tough kid at 6-1, 200 pounds and has tremendous arm strength. He was a highly recruited player for a reason, and he has the look of a respectable quarterback. While he has more of a stocky build, he's also quite athletic for his frame and can make plays rolling out of the pocket.

With so many freshman quarterbacks taking over the college game lately, there's no doubt he's capable of making enough plays to help the Tigers remain unbeaten.

 

[ccrobinson]

after the writers largely ignored Mizzou's 5-0 start, supposedly against weaker opponents

Supposedly? There's no supposedly about it. Murray State, Indiana, Toledo and Arkansas State are not what you call quality non-conference opponents. I watched a good bit of the Georgia/Missouri game and the Tigers were clearly better. Hard to say how much of that was due to Georgia missing players like Gurley on offense, but, as far as I know, they weren't missing anybody on a defense that can't stop anybody.

I think you'll know in 2 weeks whether to start making plans for Atlanta in December.

 

[SolaSaint]

I'm a big Mizzou fan but lets take a look at the reaiming schedule. Florida and S. Carolina will not just lay down especially w/o Franklin. I hope they go undefeated but who knows?

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Even without Franklin, Mizzou is a 3-1/2 point favorite, but that also has to do with Gator RB Matt Jones having season-ending knee surgery Monday (torn meniscus). Florida seems equally hobbled with him gone as do the Tigers with Franklin out 3-5 weeks.