Mizzou DE Zion Young scores what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the Tigers’ win over Oklahoma, Saturday at Faurot Field. (Photo: Cedric Williams)
Terrance Williams
Staff Writer
The second NCAA College Football Playoff poll of the 2024 season was released on Tuesday and it featured a bit of good news for the University of Missouri, which seemed to drop in the polls even after wins this season.
But on Tuesday, after its thrilling, last-second win over Oklahoma last Saturday, Missouri moved up one spot — from No. 24 to No. 23 — in the poll.
Oregon remained No. 1 in the poll for the second straight week. The Ducks, who cruised past Maryland 39-18 last week to improve to 10-0, were followed by No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Penn State and No. 5 Indiana.
BYU, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Georgia round out the committee’s Top 12.
Mizzou QB Drew Pyne threw three touchdown passes in the Tigers’ 30-23 win over Oklahoma last Saturday. (Photo: Cedric Williams)
Miami’s first loss of the season, 28-23 at Georgia Tech, and Georgia’s second defeat, 28-10 at Ole Miss, shook up the committee’s rankings. The Hurricanes fell five spots to No. 9, while the Bulldogs dropped nine spots to No. 12.
Using the current rankings, Oregon (Big Ten), Texas (SEC), BYU (Big 12) and Miami (ACC) would be the four highest-rated conference champions and would receive first-round byes in the 12-team playoff.
Boise State is No. 13 in the committee’s rankings, but the Broncos would be included in the 12-team playoff as the fifth-highest-rated conference champion from the Mountain West.
The first-round matchups would look like this: No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Ohio State, No. 11 Ole Miss at No. 6 Penn State, No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Indiana and No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Tennessee.
“All I can say is there’s a lot of games left to play in the season with three weeks and a conference championship in four weeks from now,” said selection committee chair Warde Manuel, Michigan’s athletic director. “There’s a lot of ball to be played. Every team in America is going to realize what I’m saying when the best thing that people can do is continue to win and then let everything fall as it may in terms of the rankings.”
Although Georgia, which captured two of the past three CFP National Championships, is ranked No. 12 in the committee’s rankings, the Bulldogs would be the first team left out of the 12-team playoff.
SMU is No. 14, followed by Texas A&M, Kansas State, Colorado, Washington State, Louisville and Clemson to make out the Top 20.
Mizzou’s next opponent, South Carolina is No. 21, followed by LSU at No. 22. The Tigers are No. 23, with Army and Tulane rounding out the poll.
No. 23 Mizzou and No. 21 South Carolina will meet in on Saturday at South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m., and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.
MISSOURI TIGERS 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location | TV | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 16, 2024 (Saturday) | 3:15 pm | Away | #21 South Carolina | Columbia, S.C. |  | Tiger Radio Network |
| November 23, 2024 (Saturday) | 3:15 pm | Away | Mississippi State | Starkville, Miss. | | Tiger Radio Network |
| November 30, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Home | Arkansas | Columbia, Mo. / Faurot Field | Tiger Radio Network |