SEC East title isn’t only destiny Mizzou controls

Missouri football, an SEC team, controls their own destiny in the SEC East.  But that’s not the only place where they control their own destiny.

Back to that in a moment.

I was doing a radio interview today (which is weird, because who wants to do a radio interview with an unemployed guy?) in which the interviewer said “Zach, I think this is the biggest game in the history of the Missouri football program.”

That’s arguable, but I doubt many would argue.  The Tigers (9-1) travel to No. 24 Ole Miss on Saturday night.

But what’s wild to me is that, while we’re at the “biggest game in program history” stage, it has the potential to only get bigger from here.

If they win at Ole Miss, the next game… would then be the biggest game in the history of the Missouri football program as they host Johnny Football and Texas A&M.

And if they win against Texas A&M, the next game… would then be the biggest game in the history of the Missouri football program as the underdog in the SEC Title Game, likely against Nick Saban and the current dynasty of college football–Alabama.

And if they win against Alabama (yeah, I know), the next game… would then be the biggest game in the history of the Missouri football program.  It’d be the national championship game.

We’re a long way away from that.  But it’s just amazing.  Gary Pinkel has already created some watershed moment for the program.  He and his 8th-ranked Tigers can create many more, in succession, in the next few weeks.  It will not be easy.

But back to the whole “control your own destiny” thing (yes, it’s a crappy sports cliché, but it’s legit because there’s not a more efficient way to explain what you mean).

Missouri not only controls their own destiny in the SEC East, but they also control their own destiny in all of college football.  The odds of them winning the remainder of the games, is slim, I will grant you.

But what other teams can say that if they win out, they will win get to and win the national championship?

1. Alabama (10-0)? Yes.
2. Florida State (10-0)?  Yes.  In my opinion.
3. Baylor (9-0)? Nope.  Need a loss or two from the teams above them.
4. Ohio State (10-0)? Nope. Same thing.
5. Oregon (9-1)? Nope.
6. Auburn (10-1)? Yes.  A win over Alabama gets them into the SEC Championship game.
7. Clemson (9-1)? Nope.
8. Missouri (9-1)? Yes.

Two wins gets Mizzou in the SEC Title Game.  And if they win the SEC over Alabama or Auburn, I don’t think there would be much argument against Missouri playing in the national championship game.

Never thought I would be writing that last sentence.

People talk about the “four undefeated teams.”  Undefeated doesn’t matter. Missouri is one of four teams in college football that control their own destiny.