No. 7 Texas and No. 18 Missouri will meet as SEC opponents for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 12 p.m. ET at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri. The game will be televised on ESPN and streamed on Fubo.
Team Records and Recent Form
Both teams enter with 6-2 overall records and 3-2 in conference play. Missouri has been dominant at home, posting a 13-3 record against SEC opposition at Faurot Field since 2023, including a 45-17 victory over then-No. 8 Florida on Oct. 3. The Tigers suffered a 31-3 loss at Ole Miss on Oct. 17 but rebounded with a 34-10 win over Arkansas in Week 9 after a bye week. Texas arrives with wins over Ole Miss and Mississippi State, though its offense has yet to meet preseason expectations.
Injury Updates and Key Players
Injuries are a concern for Texas. Star receivers Ryan Wingo (quad) and Cam Coleman (shoulder) are listed as questionable; the duo has combined for 11 of quarterback Arch Manning's 15 touchdown passes this season. Edge rusher Collin Simmons (ankle) is also questionable after missing the past two games. Missouri's injury report is relatively clean, and running back Ahmad Hardy made his season debut last week after recovering from a gunshot wound. Fellow back Jamal Roberts leads the SEC in rushing with over 1,000 yards, including 138 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas and multiple 200-yard performances earlier in the season.
College Football Playoff Implications
The game carries significant College Football Playoff implications. A Texas win would raise its playoff chances to 67.5%, while a loss would drop them to 22.8%, likely requiring wins over LSU, Arkansas, and Texas A&M to reach the 12-team field as a three-loss team. Missouri's playoff probability would increase to 16.1% with a victory but fall to 1.6% with a defeat; the Tigers finish the regular season against Georgia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.
Prediction and Expert Consensus
Analysts favor Texas, citing its defense as the best unit on the field. Even without Simmons, the Longhorns are expected to contain a Missouri offense that has not faced a defense of this caliber. If Manning protects the ball, Texas can control field position and pressure a Missouri defense that showed vulnerability in losses to Mississippi State and Ole Miss. The consensus pick is Texas -2.5, with the majority of experts selecting the Longhorns to cover.
