At this time a month ago, Missouri‘s 2026 recruiting class was dead-last in the SEC and the Tigers didn’t feature a single blue-chip commitment. And that was coming off a second-straight 10-win season for Eli Drinkwitz and Co.

Three of Missouri's star players all came through the transfer portal, and each has a different threat to Auburn.

No. 16 Missouri, which last year defeated Auburn 21-17 in Columbia to earn its first victory over AU since 1973, pushed as a +3 against the Alabama Crimson Tide last Saturday. The Tigers lost 27-24 in a taut contest that included a 325-325 exchange in total yards and five ties and lead changes.

Though it felt like Alabama dominated the first half, the Crimson Tide entered halftime with a narrow 17-10 lead. Missouri quickly eliminated that advantage in the third quarter when it turned a strip-sack of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson into a five-yard rushing touchdown from Pribula to tie the game.

The nation's top-ranked safety didn't hesitate to express his disappointment with Auburn after its 23-17 loss to Missouri.

Auburn and Missouri will square off in an SEC game at 6:45 p.m. CDT Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.

The issues Missouri needs to address go deeper than Pribula’s accuracy. His jumpiness in the pocket, decision-making and lack of deep passes are a cause for concern, potentially. Mizzou needs to improve in these areas immediately, because the heart of the SEC schedule has arrived.

Missouri football’s strengths match up with any team in the country. But will they be strong enough to mitigate the Tigers’ shortcomings?

No. 8 Alabama survived at No. 14 Missouri 27-24 on Saturday behind three touchdowns from quarterback Ty Simpson.

Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 7 San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons game, Sunday, Oct. 19.