Missouri 20, Kentucky 10: Tigers move into SEC East lead with dominant defensive performance

Missouri is what it is right now: a team with a sketchy offense and one hell of a defense. The Tigers gained only 320 yards (4.1 per play) but allowed only 258 (3.6) in a 20-10 win over Kentucky on Saturday night on Faurot Field. Maty Mauk completed 18 of 33 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns, Bud Sasser caught six passes for 67 yards, and the Mizzou offense produced more than enough for a dominant Mizzou defense.

Mizzou led 14-3 at halftime and held off a late Kentucky charge for a 10-point win. And combined with Georgia Cocktail Party loss to Florida, the Tigers once again control their destiny in the SEC East race. The Tigers are now 7-2 overall, 4-1 in conference play, and Georgia stands at 4-2. After a bye week, Missouri gets Texas A&M and Tennessee on the road and Arkansas at home. Win out, and the Tigers are SEC East champions for the second straight year. If the Tigers lose once, they still might have a chance, as Georgia must still host Auburn soon.

This is a flawed Missouri team. It's also a Missouri team that stands at 7-2. While everybody else loses, the Tigers have now won three in a row. That's pretty awesome.

More thoughts tomorrow. Until then, CELEBRATE.