When No. 1 Oklahoma lost on Saturday afternoon, Missouri was poised to scoot up from No. 3 and possibly overtake idle Alabama for the top ranking. But a poor offensive showing that night against a proficient Oklahoma State popped any thought bubbles the might have had about the scenario.
Instead of No. 1, Missouri got No. 11.
After a 28-23 loss to No. 17 Oklahoma State on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium, the Tigers tumbled eight spots in the Associated Press poll released Sunday. Former No. 5 Texas pulled into the top spot after dethroning the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry.
Missouri, which had 1,487 votes last week, including one for first place, mustered only 984 votes in the latest media poll. The Tigers fared even worse in the USA Today coaches poll, falling from No. 2 to No. 12.
"What we'll do tomorrow is like we always do," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Saturday night. "Except your guts feel just like they were torn out if you are a competitor which those guys (his players) are and like I am."
After its loss, Oklahoma dropped to No. 4 in the AP Poll, with Alabama and Penn State moving ahead. Florida hopped six spots to No. 5 with a 51-21 statement over former No. 4 LSU, which fell to No. 13.
USC swept into the No. 6 spot by shutting out Arizona State at home.
Texas Tech kept its No. 7 ranking after an overtime win against Nebraska, and Oklahoma State found its way to No. 8, up nine spots since upsetting the Tigers.
Kansas, held its No. 16 spot following a 30-14 win over Colorado. The Big 12 Conference now leads the polls with six nationally ranked teams. Former No. 20 Auburn fell off the charts following its third loss since starting Southeastern Conference play.
New to the AP rankings this week is No. 25 California.
The Longhorns are the fourth No. 1 team this season, which is turning into another year of upsets and weekly poll shakeups. The Tigers have the opportunity to catapult back with an upset over Texas next week in Austin.
"All our goals are still attainable," Missouri tailback Derrick Washington said.