Paul Finebaum buries Missouri's College Football Playoff hopes after shutout loss at Alabama

Missouri‘s 34-0 loss to Alabama on the road has pushed the Tigers toward the outside of the SEC Championship race after nine weeks.

Not only that, but Missouri was without quarterback Brady Cook for the majority of the matchup after injuring his hand early, not to mention dealing with a nagging injury from the week prior. With no ranked teams left on their regular season schedule, Mizzou’s College Football Playoff chances are farther away than ever before entering November.

“Friends, we have gathered on this Sunday morning to bid farewell to the University of Missouri,” Paul Finebaum said on SportsCenter in a segement called ‘Paul Bearers,’ where he had to put a team’s playoff chances to rest. “They are gone dead, dead and gone after yesterday. I realize they only have two losses, and some would say that’s not enough, but let me give you a few facts.

“They played two legitimate big time teams this year, [Texas] A&M and Alabama yesterday. They have lost by a combined 75-10. That means they’re gone. They don’t even have a good non-conference win. That would be Boston College unless you count UMass. So nice knowing you guys. I’m sorry about the injury to Brady Cook and everything else. You guys gave it the good old college try, but see you later.”

Despite the lopsided score, the Crimson Tide lead 13-0 at halftime after a low-scoring first half. Alabama received the second-half kickoff and marched down the field in six plays for a touchdown. Missouri would throw interceptions on its first two possessions of the second half, which lead to another score for the Crimson Tide.

Together, quarterbacks Brady Cook and backup Drew Pyne combined for 13 of 24 for 72 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Missouri was able to get the running game going, though, totaling 167 yards on 39 carries. Their only red zone trip resulted in a turnover on downs during the Tigers’ final possession of the game.

Looking ahead, Missouri does not play another ranked opponent and with losss to Texas A&M and Alabama in conference play, they’re smack in the middle of the SEC rankings and on the outside looking in on the conference title race.