SEC Championship game the next stop for Mizzou football

As the summer heat gave way to fall's crisp air and college football fans rooted for their favorite teams, few could imagine the University of Missouri football team would be in the hunt for the SEC Championship.

But that's where the Tigers find themselves this weekend as they face No. 3 Auburn in Atlanta.

Auburn punched its ticket to the SEC Championship game with a shocking win over perennial favorite Alabama.

The only loss for Mizzou was to South Carolina, which overcame a 17-point deficit to win 27-24 in two overtimes.

The Tigers' exceptional season was even more unlikely considering an injury to starting quarterback James Franklin. While the Franklin recovered, backup quarterback Maty Mauk kept the momentum going for Mizzou.

While it will be a challenge for the Tigers to make the national championship game, a scenario that would require a loss by one of the top two teams, a win Saturday would propel the winning team to the Sugar Bowl.

The SEC Championship is set for 3 p.m. Saturday. We wish the Tigers the best as they seek to finish a Cinderella season and give the school's alumni and fans even more to cheer about.