Missouri Ranked Fifth in the AP Poll

Oct 12, 2013; Athens, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers players react after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Missouri defeated Georgia 41-26. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Missouri Tigers made another huge leap in the AP Poll, gaining nine spots from last week. The Tigers are in the top five of the poll along with Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State. The jump comes after a big win against Florida at home, in which the Tiger’s Maty Mauk looked very strong against a stout Gator defense.

At the beginning of the season, not many people expected Missouri to make a lot of noise in the SEC. The Tigers were coming off of a disapointing and injury-plagued season, and some were even calling for a coaching change. But this season has soared above even the most optimistic fan’s expectations, with the Tigers sitting at 7-0.

The Tigers undefeated record sets them up well in SEC play for a shot at the SEC title game. Mizzou has a two game lead in the SEC East, and a win over South Carolina next week would push that lead even further. But winning out and capturing the title will be difficult. Missouri will have to adjust to the expectations of being a top five team and to being the hunted, not the hunters.

Missouri will face a very good South Carolina team next week at home. USC is ranked 20th in the country and has just two losses. If Missouri wins that game, it sets up well for a vitally important showdown at home against Texas A&M in late November. But for now, the Tigers are happy at 7-0 and one of the five best teams in the country.