MIssouri Misses Out on BCS

By Jim Ralabate
PA SportsTicker College Football Editor

Missouri entered Saturday's Big 12 Conference championship game with a realistic chance to play for the national title. But less than 24 hours later, the Tigers found themselves completely outside the Bowl Championship Series all together.

Despite placing sixth in Sunday's final installment of the BCS standings, Missouri (11-2) did not receive a BCS bid. The surprising Tigers instead will have to settle for an appearance in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, where they will face Arkansas (8-4) on January 1.

Unranked at the beginning of the regular season, Missouri climbed to the top of both the USA Today coaches' and Associated Press polls after defeating rival Kansas on November 24 to win the Big 12 North Division title. But after ascending to the No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings, the Tigers saw their national title hopes end in disappointing fashion Saturday, when they dropped a 38-17 decision to Big 12 champ Oklahoma. A day later, the Tigers watched in vain as both Kansas and Illinois - two teams they defeated during the season - received BCS bids.

However, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel remained positive about the Cotton Bowl, refusing to comment on whether he believed the Tigers were snubbed by the BCS. "I don't really think it's the time for this," Pinkel said. "We had a great year. You never take away a (division) championship and playing in a championship game. Those things will sort themselves out, and this is where we are supposed to be. We are excited about it."