On Saturday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be faced with one of their toughest tests yet in the Missouri Tigers.
Yes, even after back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, Alabama’s schedule does not get any easier in Week 7, as the Crimson Tide will travel to Columbia for yet another Top 25 showdown, this time against Eliah Drinkwitz and Missouri.
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The Tigers enter Saturday ranked as the nation’s No. 14 team in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, and are one-of-four SEC teams yet to lose a game this season.
A challenging opponent altogether, here are three reasons as to why Alabama will defeat Missouri this upcoming Saturday afternoon, as well as three why the Crimson Tide might not.
Why: Alabama has dominated Missouri since SEC move
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back T.J. Yeldon (4) celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter during the 2014 SEC Championship Game against the Missouri Tigers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Since the Tigers joined the SEC back in 2012, Alabama and Missouri have met head-to-head five times total, one of which came in the SEC Championship Game back in 2014. Over that span, Alabama owns a combined 5-0 record in games against Missouri with a 195-52 total edge in points scored, which includes an 80-29 edge across two games in Columbia.
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Why Not: Missouri running game vs. Alabama run defense
Sep 13, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy (29) runs the ball as Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns safety Jalen Clark (2) defends during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Missouri has one of the best rushing offenses in college football, ranking No. 3 nationally, as well as tops in the SEC, with an average of 292 yards per game. The Tigers also have the nation’s leading rusher in Ahmad Hardy at running back, and will be facing an Alabama run defense that has allowed the SEC’s fourth-most rushing yards per game to their opponents at an average of 155.4.
Why: Alabama passing game vs. Missouri secondary
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
If there is one big advantage for Alabama going into Saturday afternoon, it’s the fact that the Crimson Tide offense is one of the nation’s best when throwing the ball. Led by Heisman candidate quarterback Ty Simpson, Alabama is the SEC’s No. 2 team in passing yards per game at 325.4, and have a variety of talented pass catchers who will be the toughest unit Missouri’s secondary has faced this season by far.
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Why Not: Missouri has a mobile quarterback
Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) rolls out to pass during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Alabama’s struggles over the last decade against mobile quarterbacks in losses have been well documented, and is something that has already come up once this season against Florida State’s Tommy Castellanos. Missouri’s Beau Pribula is certainly a quarterback who can give the Alabama defense problems running the ball, and if the Tigers can get a big game from the SEC’s leader in completion percentage, it could go a long way toward a potential win.
Why: Alabama is battle-tested, Missouri is not
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Simply put, this Alabama team is battle-tested against elite competition going into Columbia on Saturday, while the same cannot be said of Missouri. The Crimson Tide have since bounced back after the opening loss at Florida State, picking up ranked wins the last two weeks on the road at Georgia and against Vanderbilt, while Missouri’s biggest win this season is a 29-20 home victory over South Carolina, making Alabama their first ranked opponent this year.
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Why Not: Missouri is at home
Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz runs out with the team against the Buffalo Bulls prior to a game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
In conclusion, the final reason Alabama might lose to Missouri is the fact that this game will be played in Columbia, a place where the Tigers have not lost since Oct. 2023. Yes, Alabama’s road struggles the last two seasons at times are well documented, but this is truly a difficult game, as it not only against a ranked opponent in their building, but is also an 11 a.m. CT kickoff time against a rested Missouri team coming off a bye.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Why Alabama football will, won’t win vs. Missouri Tigers in Week 7
