Tigers will use bye week to recover

~ After starting 6-0, Missouri has lost three of its last four.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- After losing three of four following a 6-0 start, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel is glad to have a week off to regroup.

Pinkel said the Tigers (7-3, 3-3 Big 12) aren't ready to panic, despite a tough month that began with a 25-19 loss at Texas A&M on Oct. 14. After beating Kansas State, Missouri lost to Oklahoma and Nebraska, all but eliminating the team from competition for the North division title.

"I think everybody would like to have a bye week in the middle of the season if you could," Pinkel said. "But coming off two tough losses against two good football teams, I feel like this particular year, it probably was good."

Seven of Pinkel's assistants are using the week off to recruit on the road. Offensive coordinator Dave Christensen and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus remained in Columbia with Pinkel. The team had a light workout Tuesday, and another will be Thursday.

The regular procedure returns next week in preparation for the Nov. 18 game at Iowa State (3-6, 0-6). Pinkel said the Tigers still have a lot to play for, even if Nebraska would have to lose both of its remaining games and Missouri would have to sweep the Cyclones and Kansas to advance to the Big 12 championship game.

Missouri has already clinched a spot in a bowl game for the third time in four years -- the first time that has happened since they went to five bowl games in six seasons from 1978 through 1983. Missouri also has a chance for nine wins for the first time since 1969.

"Coach addressed the team and told us after the [Nebraska] game that we can have this, we we can have a great season still," quarterback Chase Daniel said.

First, Missouri must get by Iowa State, which hasn't won a game over a Division I opponent since beating UNLV 16-10.

Missouri must also beat Kansas for the first time since 2002.

A 9-3 regular-season record would likely put Missouri in the Alamo Bowl against a Big Ten opponent, or the Sun Bowl against an SEC team.