COLUMBIA, Mo. — Connor Tollison knew where it went wrong for Missouri.

The center is in his fifth year with the Tigers, so he’s been around the program’s other brushes with Southeastern Conference blue bloods. Georgia in 2022. Louisiana State and Georgia in 2023. Alabama in 2024.

Another ill-timed tally went on that list Saturday, when the Crimson Tide beat Mizzou 27-24 .

Tollison, asked what the difference between MU and Alabama was, looked down at the printed-out box score in front of him. He wasn’t looking for anything he didn’t already know.

“One for 10 on third down,” he said, scanning the sheet. “Wherever that’s at.”

That’s how Missouri fared on third downs, in case it wasn’t clear, which was a continual offensive struggle against the Crimson Tide. Alabama went 6-for-15 and co

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