The Missouri Tigers put their 5-0 record up against 8th ranked Alabama on Saturday at Faurot Field. The outcome, not what Tigers fans wanted, a 27-24 loss to the Crimson Tide. The game started out great for Mizzou.

First, running back Ahmad Hardy went for six yards on the ground, then quarterback Beau Pribule went 12 yards on a keeper. The Tide couldn’t stop the run at all, and three plays later, MU was deep in Alabama territory.

Who knows where Alabama’s season will end up, but Saturday’s prize fight certainly felt like a split-decision victory with a 27-24 score.

When I asked Drinkwitz his overall feeling about the game, he first said “heartbreak and disappointment.” He said there was no consolation in playing Alabama close, and that Mizzou will “learn our lessons and leave the event. We’re not going to sit here and pout and make it more than it was.”

On quarterback Ty Simpson: He was far from perfect, but he made some high-level throws in important moments. Simpson also displayed the grit needed to push Alabama over the edge in a tight game. Simpson finished 23 of 31 (74%) for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

The Tigers and Mariners are also going to Game 5 tonight, after the teams alternated wins over the first four games. Neither team has hit much. The Tigers have batted .217/.285/.362 and scored 18 runs. The Mariners have batted .219/.285/.387 and scored 16 runs. Each team has won one game by a 3-2 score and each team has won a blowout.

Streaks made to be broken: Missouri has won 15 straight games at home, the second-longest active streak in the FBS. Alabama has defeated Mizzou six straight times. The Tigers last defeated the Tide in 1975.

The SEC Nation crew dives into each teams' playoff chances following the result of this game and discusses the opportunity for the Tigers to make a name for themselves.