SEC Power Rankings: Alabama Pulls Away (For Now) After Big Win Over the Aggies

Sep 7, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback

(1) hands off to Missouri Tigers running back

(20) during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

8. Missouri Tigers

Record: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 8 (Trend: –)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: at Indiana

Next Week: vs. Arkansas State

Speaking of key “ceiling” games, Missouri has one of their own this weekend at Indiana.

Indiana has a high-flying offense to match Missouri’s, so this game is going to feature a lot of fireworks. The question will be in Indiana has enough of an advantage at home and enough players on defense to beat the Tigers.

Missouri is between a 2 1/2 and 3 point favorite right now, which means Vegas thinks Missouri is about a 5-to-6 point better team than Indiana on a neutral field. So this is a game Missouri should be able to win. A win means the Tigers will enter their road game at Vanderbilt 4-0, with a chance to be 5-0 heading into the Georgia game.

The schedule is set up favorably for Missouri to make a run since they have Florida, South Carolina, and Texas A&M at home and they avoid having to play LSU and Alabama. Only question will be if Missouri can stay healthy and if the defense can improve over the course of the season.