(AP) - Missouri hasn’t beaten Alabama in football since 1975.

In fact, none of the six meetings since have been very close, including those as Southeastern Conference rivals.

If the No. 14 Tigers are serious about contending in the SEC, though, and potentially making the College Football Playoff, then beating the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide on Saturday has never been more important. Missouri is off to an unbeaten start, beat up South Carolina in its conference opener, and has steadily climbed through the AP Top 25 after starting off unranked.

What to watch in the SEC: Tigers try to stem the Tide, and a quieter Red River Rivalry

But the Crimson Tide represents a different test entirely: a perennial national championship contender.

“It’s a really good football team. Very physical, grea

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