No. 7 Texas and No. 18 Missouri meet as SEC opponents for the first time on Saturday, with both teams holding 6-2 overall records and 3-2 conference marks. The matchup at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri, carries significant weight in the College Football Playoff picture for two-loss teams seeking traction.
Missouri has been formidable at home, posting a 13-3 record against SEC opposition at Faurot Field since 2023. The Tigers blew out Florida and Texas A&M earlier this season, though they suffered a 31-3 loss at Ole Miss before rebounding with a 34-10 win over Arkansas following a bye week. Texas enters on victories over Ole Miss and Mississippi State, but its high-powered offense has yet to meet expectations, raising questions about whether quarterback Arch Manning can spark a breakthrough.
Injuries are a major concern for Texas. Star receivers Ryan Wingo (quad) and Cam Coleman (shoulder), who have combined for 11 of Manning's 15 touchdown passes, are listed as questionable. Edge rusher Collin Simmons (ankle) is also questionable after missing the past two games. By contrast, Missouri's injury report is nearly clean.
Missouri received a boost with the 2026 debut of running back Ahmad Hardy, who returned from a gunshot wound to carry twice against Arkansas. The backfield also features SEC leading rusher Jamal Roberts, who surpassed 1,000 yards for the season with 138 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas. Roberts topped 200 yards in wins over Florida and Texas A&M last month. Texas, however, has not allowed any opponent to average more than four yards per rush attempt this season.
Playoff stakes are high. According to the CBS Sports CFB Forecaster, Texas' chance to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff rises to 67.5% with a win but drops to 22.8% with a loss. Missouri's odds improve to 16.1% with a victory and plummet to 1.6% with a defeat. Texas closes the regular season against LSU, Arkansas, and Texas A&M, while Missouri faces Georgia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma.
The game kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 7, at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri. It will be televised on ESPN and streamed on Fubo.
Analysts favor Texas, citing its defense as the best unit on the field. Even without Simmons, the Longhorns are expected to slow 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.
