What’s at stake Saturday when the No. 7 Texas Longhorns (6-2) take on the No. 18 Missouri Tigers (6-2) at Faurot Field at 11 a.m.? A win will keep the victor in the hunt for a College Football Playoff postseason berth. But will a loss mean the end of CFP hopes? It depends.
With parity rearing its head repeatedly this season and the Top 10 becoming a revolving door of sorts – especially the last three weekends – it’s not impossible to think that a three-loss team will be among the 12 teams making the postseason cut. (In fact, it’s already happened twice: Alabama in ’25 and Clemson in ’24.) But based on the current CFP rankings, Mizzou has more to lose with a loss, even though the Tigers have already beaten Florida, one of two teams to beat Texas. (The Longhorns have beaten both Ole Miss and Mississippi State, which are responsible for Mizzou’s two losses.)
The road ahead is steeper for Missouri, too. The Tigers still have dates at No. 2 Georgia and at home with No. 6 Kentucky, and a regular season-ending home game with Oklahoma which, by the way, hung an “L” on Texas with a wild comeback win in the Red River Rivalry game on October 10.
The Longhorns’ last real test, meanwhile, will be next Saturday at No. 14 LSU.
What matters most now, of course, is the prognostication skills of the COMO Companies staff, which collectively leans slightly in favor of Texas. That’s not surprising, considering that the Longhorns are a 2.5-point favorite, and the over-under is 43.5 points, meaning neither offense is expected to put up noteworthy numbers.
Here’s how OUR team sees the Texas at Missouri game shaking out.
Jodie Jackson Jr, executive editor
Mizzou 14, Texas 13
With defense and takeaways taking the spotlight, the teams trade field goals until Arch Manning manages to avoid a seventh sack to put the ‘Horns up 13-6 with just under two minutes remaining. In what will be a game for the ages, Austin Simmons connects with Donovan Olugbode for a TD as time expires. Coach Drink, wearing that big ol’ just-watch-us-because-hell-yes-we-can-beat-a-team-we’re-not-supposed-to-beat chip on his shoulder, puts up two fingers without hesitating, and Ahmad Hardy’s carry for the two-point conversion gives the Tigers a 14-13 win.
Charles Bruce III, managing director
Texas 24, Mizzou 20
Mizzou keeps it close because being a Texas fan apparently requires a weekly cardiac stress test. Arch leads a late scoring drive, Texas gets the final stop, and “MIZ-ZOU” becomes “the refs screwed us.” I spend the next week being an absolute delight to work with. Hook ’em!
Kelsey Winkeljohn, managing editor
MU 67, Texas 67
(Her prediction disclaimer is worded thusly: “I gotta be on Charles’ good side since he’s the one that provides me with snacks.” Kelsey does not go any further out on this limb to pick the OT winner. Charles expresses, “I’m so proud of you.” Jodie expresses, “Kelsey, you are a dork.”)
Amanda Iman, marketing manager
Mizzou 27, Texas 24
(Charles Bruce’s response: “FIRED.”)
David Nivens, publisher
Missouri 31, Texas 24
Jamaal Roberts and Ahmad Hardy double punch the Longhorns with 250 yards rushing combined and the Mizzou fans deliver the knockout punch causing Arch Manning to throw his last interception of the game on the final drive while the Longhorns are desperately trying to tie the score. M-I-Z!
