​STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – SEPTEMBER 26: Donovan Olugbode #1 of the Missouri Tigers reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 19th ranked Tigers came into the game versus 24th ranked Mississippi State with a whole lot on the line. A 4-0 start, an opportunity to snag a ranked road win for the first time since the pre-Drinkwitz era, and a potential Gameday visit versus a skyrocketing Florida team next week. Long story short, the Tigers came up short against a ranked team once again, falling 31-24 to the Bulldogs. Let’s get to the five takeaways.1. Sloppy play, conservative playcalling sinks the shipThe Tigers came out sloppy once again, racking up eight penalties for 91 yards. Those penalties included two holding penalties in the redzone, a killer hold on a drive in the fourth quarter basically ending a drive which immediately led to the first of two MSU touchdowns to take the lead, and yet another hold on the final drive prior to the Hail Mary attempt. Beyond the penalties, ultra conservative play calls all evening, specifically on second down and long, doomed many early Tiger drives and an vital late drive. By my count, Chip Lindsey called seven running plays on 2nd and 8 or longer in the first half. One was called back on a penalty and only one resulted in a “successful” play, meaning the play picked up at least half the yards to gain a first down. As the passing offense opened up in the second half, there was only one such call after halftime, which also was unsuccessful. That’s eight runs on second and long, one hold and only one a successful play. That set the offense up for 3rd and longs all night, making it difficult to get the offense moving early.2. Another slow start for MizzouFor the third straight game, the Tigers fell behind early in the game. This time, it was the largest early deficit they have faced this season, going down 14-0 in the first quarter thanks to a beautiful deep pass from Kamario Taylor to Sanfrisco Magee. Santana Banner was in single coverage on one of MSU’s fastest receivers in an ill-conceived defensive call leading to the 43-yard touchdown. The Tigers followed that up by driving much of the field before kicking (and missing) a 52-yard field goal. MSU was right back at it with another long drive and touchdown, leaving the Tigers with a hefty deficit early in the game, which ultimately proved too much to overcome.3. The D-Line Zou lives on in Daeden HopkinsAfter Darris Smith was announced as officially out for this game with a lower body injury on Friday, the Mizzou defense was left pretty thin on pass rushers. Second-year Hermann native Daeden Hopkins has had moments early in his career and early this season, but pressure was put squarely on his shoulders with starter Darris Smith sidelined. The need for Hopkins to step up became b