(AP) -- A season that began with the promise of sharing the stage with college football royalty is threatening to turn sour for Missouri as the Tigers confront the realities of life in the unforgiving SEC.
A 19-15 home loss to perennial conference also-ran Vanderbilt kept Missouri (3-3, 0-3) winless in league games in its first season in the Southeastern Conference after leaving the Big 12.
Missouri is one of five conference teams still seeking its first SEC victory. And in Missouri's case, that means its first SEC victory, ever.
Few expect Missouri to break that losing streak when No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0) visits Faurot Field Saturday in a coaching match-up pitting former Kent State teammates Gary Pinkel, Missouri's coach, and the Tide's Nick Saban.
"This year, there's so much hype being in the SEC, and you've got all the outside voices telling you that you (stink) and you're not worthy," said senior offensive tackle Elvis Fisher. "We know what we do here. We work our butts off. And then it's devastating to go out there and not put on your best performance."
Missouri should be favored in its remaining home games against Kentucky and Syracuse, but will need to beat the Crimson Tide or pull at least one road upset to reach the six wins required for bowl eligibility.
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