Kirk Herbstreit on Missouri landing in CFP top 10: 'I love it'

The Missouri Tigers’ stellar play in 2023 has finally paid off in a big way. In Week 11, head coach Eli Drinkwitz led the Tigers to a 36-7 route over SEC East rival the Tennessee Volunteers. And on Tuesday, Missouri was rewarded with a spot in the top ten of the College Football Playoff top 25.

Missouri climbed up five spots in the Week 11 rankings from No. 14 to No. 9. The Tigers join the now No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs and No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide as three SEC teams in the College Football Playoff top 10. And after the reveal, ESPN’s chief college football expert, Kirk Herbstreit, commended the committee on getting this ranking 100 percent correct.

“Good for them. I love it. I absolutely love it,” said Hebrstreit. “That is a great football team — gave Georgia all they could handle. Actually had the football down 27-21 until the big fella, (Nazir) Stackhouse, had the interception.

“This is a deserving ranking. You could say; ‘What about the two losses?’ I don’t care. Watch them play. They’re very, very sound on both sides of the football; the way Brady Cook has emerged, they’ve got a great back, receivers, (and) defense. That’s a great job by the committee putting them up in the top ten.”

Missouri’s two losses on the season were by a combined 19 points. And both of those losses came at the hands of elite SEC programs. In Week 7, Missouri lost the battle of the Tigers to LSU, falling at home 49-39. Their second loss came three weeks later in week 10 against Georgia, 30-21.

There are two sides to every coin. So, while some may look at Missouri’s losses, it is essential to also look at who they have beaten this year. The Tigers went 3-0 in non-conference play, including a thrilling late-game victory over the top 25-ranked Kansas State Wildcats.

And in the SEC this year, aside from their two aforementioned losses, Missouri has dominated their competition. Outside of Week 11’s 29-point victory over Tennessee, Missouri has also beaten South Carolina (by 22), Kentucky (by 17), and Vanderbilt (by 17) by more than two touchdowns.

One of the biggest pieces of the Tigers’ No. 9 ranking is their bowl outlook. With them now sitting in the top 10, Missouri is on a collision course to crash one of the New Year’s Six Bowl games with an at-large bid.

Fans outside of the SEC who are unfamiliar with Missouri caliber played this season need only to follow the advice of Herbstreit above and watch them play.