Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

Sports columnist

COLUMBIA, Mo. — They entered with a chance to become legitimized in the modern Southeastern Conference, but they departed the way they arrived — still just Mizzou, still unable to beat the big boys, still good-not-great, still an ancillary conference add-on, still not truly accepted in the club.

Alabama rolled into town and snatched a win, because that’s what Alabama does against teams like Missouri. The No. 8 Crimson Tide defeated the No. 14 Tigers, 27-24, and with too many mistakes in big moments, Missouri dropped to 6-1 … and will drop in the rankings … and, in the short-term anyway, will likely drop out of contention for the 12-team College Football Playoff. Things can change. Mizzou is still a one-loss team. But with Oklahoma still

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