Don’t look now, but Mizzou is starting to get some attention.

After a few routine, workmanlike victories against UT Martin and Wyoming, Mizzou made its first entrance onto the coaches’ poll this week, garnering eight votes. That places them (tentatively) as the 43rd best team in the country according to Barry Odom’s peers.

Analytics, though? They have Mizzou a bit higher. At least according to the latest S&P+ rankings, which rated Mizzou as the 16th best team in the country.

Of course, at this point in the season the rankings are mostly for pride. Not that they’re completely wrong, but it’s hard to sort out the best teams until they start playing the best competition. However, with a road win against a struggling Purdue team this weekend, Mizzou fans could have a little number to be proud of entering SEC play.

The recruits... they’re ‘crootin!

While the football team polished off another visitor to Faurot on Saturday, Cuonzo Martin and staff had their hands full with two very important visitors. And it looks like they got one of Barry’s boys to lend a hand as well.

It’s hard to say just how much pull a football player will have with two key basketball recruits. But having your friends around never hurts when deciding where to go to college. Buford has been a godsend for recruiting St. Louis on the gridiron. If he can flex his muscles on the hardwood as well... watch out, SEC.

As for how McKinney and Liddell’s visit went...

It looks like Mario and EJ both had a good time. And getting a shot with Liddell after leaving Columbus, Ohio, is a big opportunity for the Mizzou program. Let’s hope Martin is able to close the deal with both of them. If Eric Bossi is to be believed, McKinney’s commitment may be in the not-so-distant future.

Yesterday at Rock M

• Heisman Watch: Drew Lock makes a move
• With Drew Lock and a defense, Mizzou’s ceiling looks a lot higher

Report cards are in!

• All passes from Alex Schiffer at the Kansas City Star
• Mitchell Forde at PowerMizzou is fairly generous, but criticizes two big groups in his report card. Because of Rivals’ partnership with Pro Football Focus, PowerMizzou also has PFF grades for those interested.
• BenFred at the Post-Dispatch is still pretty skeptical of the running game.

More Links:

• Really tough blow for Oklahoma, who lost star RB Rodney Anderson to a knee injury against UCLA. Lincoln Riley now says he’ll be out for the year.
• Speaking of Oklahoma, I got a big chuckle out of this wishful thinking from the Oakland A’s

ICYMI: Murray has agreed to go play for the A’s professionally after this football season is over.

• Bowl projections have Missouri in Jacksonville for the TaxSlayer Bowl, Tampa for the Outback Bowl and Dallas for the Texas Bowl... again!
• Miami’s new turnover chain is literally going to be off-the-chain if it gets any heavier