Physically, the Missouri Tigers stepped onto the field. Mentally, I’m not sure they ever got off the bus.

The first drive for Missouri looked promising, with Austin Simmons connecting with Donovan Olugbode for a first down. Simmons nearly connected with Naeshaun Montgomery but was just a hair off. The Tigers settled for three. It was all downhill from there.

Ole Miss scored on the ensuing drive, going on to score 31 unanswered points. Missouri never was able to claw itself back into the game. The running game was halted, and once Ole Miss understood that Missouri HAD to throw the ball to find a way back into the contest, the game was sealed.

I could go in depth on what went wrong, but just about everything did. All around, a really poor performance. So, instead of spending my night breaking that down, let’s break down the implications of this game and where it leaves Missouri standing.

Overall record: 5-2

AP ranking: #22

Next week: Bye

• College football playoff picture:

With Missouri sitting at 5-2 heading into week eight, the Tigers have ensured that they must be perfect to find their way into the college football playoff. So, technically, the Tigers still have a fighting chance. Logically speaking? It’s an uphill climb.

Missouri’s remaining schedule goes as follows:

• Week 9: @ Arkansas
• Week 10: #19 Texas
• Week 11: @ #5 Georgia
• Week 12: #12 Kentucky
• Week 13: Oklahoma

The only sure-fire win that I think most would point out is Arkansas. After that, it would be Oklahoma, as they have been about as inconsistent as the weather in the Midwest. That leaves Missouri with three top-25 matchups, one of which is on the road in Athens, and the other two at home.

Kentucky used to be a game that inspired confidence, but Will Stein has got Lexington buzzing right now, with three road wins in year one, along with a signature home win against the fighting Lane Kiffin’s and LSU.

For Missouri to go perfect here would be nothing short of a miracle if we’re honest. You just have to be level-headed. Can they get some upsets here? Absolutely. Texas especially looks abysmal, quite frankly, with a quarterback controversy brewing. Kentucky might be favored, but I think that’s a fairly winnable game. Georgia? They just got beat by Auburn, but that just pissed them off, so we shall see.

The expectation gauge before the season was anywhere from 6-9 wins. I think there was a cataclysmic leap after that Florida win, but after this loss, the expectations are starting to come back down to earth.

• Fan fatigue

I will start by saying this. I understand the fan frustration. I really do. Growing up as a Mizzou fan, I feel it along with you to a degree. But losing this game should not result in the biweekly calling of Eli Drinkwitz’s job.

Unfortunately, this is the world of college sports we live in. Reactionary from week to week. One week, you’re the best coach in the land. The next, you suck.

However, the fan frustration has some merit. Eli Drinkwitz has yet to win a true, top 10 road game. This program is etching closer to getting over the hump, but they continue to trip over themselves before making the last climb.

What Eli Drinkwitz has done here is tremendous. Missouri is continuously ranked, and they are miles better than the Barry Odom days. The infrastructure is better, the stadium is better, and so is the recruiting. Unfortunately, the narrative that this team can’t reach the next tier will trudge along as long as Missouri continues to lose these games.

That’s not to say it can’t be done either. This team is as close as you could get. Yet still, it lingers.