Here are some quick thoughts from Mizzou’s 21-20 win at South Carolina.

What It Means: Redemption. Missouri threw the SEC East into a dizzying tailspin for the second consecutive year, playing poorly for the majority of 7.5 quarters before rising from a pool of their own blood to knock out South Carolina with two well-placed jabs. Does anyone have any idea who will win the division?

The season appeared to drift toward the edge of a cliff when Missouri trailed, 20-7, in the fourth quarter. Lose to the Gamecocks in lethargic fashion and Mizzou could’ve easily lost three or even four consecutive games and fallen in danger of a .500 season.

The win hands the Tigers a chance to control the SEC East in two weeks against Georgia. Still, the last two weeks still exposed flaws for Missouri.

What I Liked: The defense stood up to Dylan Thompson, Mike Davis and company just long enough. Pharoh Cooper’s 23-yard touchdown against a tiring defense with 7:25 left, with an offense that had punted on 10 consecutive drives, seemed like a death blow. But the Tigers finished the game with two touchdown drives and an impressive defensive stop.

The offensive line blocked much better in the run game. Maty Mauk settled down just in time to throw some darts that beat South Carolina’s secondary. And the thinning herd of Tigers skill players held together just enough. Michael Scherer racked up a ton of tackles again.

What I Didn’t Like: Mauk bailed from the pocket too early, too often. The offense looked as bad or worse than Vanderbilt through the second and third quarters, and against a struggling defense at that.

Andrew Baggett missed a field goal against South Carolina for the second consecutive year.

Who’s The Man: Russell Hansbrough. After leaving with an apparent injury early in the game, he returned to score all three of the team’s touchdowns, including on fourth-and-goal to win the game.

Key Play: Mauk’s pass to Bud Sasser midway through the fourth quarter for 41 yards. It woke the hibernating bear Missouri offense from a slumber of nearly three quarters. It led to a Russell Hansbrough 1-yard touchdown two plays later. Unstuck, the Tigers scored the go-ahead touchdown on the next drive.

What’s Next: Missouri (4-1, 1-0) must turn around to face No. 12 Georgia (3-1, 1-1) with poll position in the SEC East on the line. Expect to see plenty of RB Todd Gurley in the two weeks ahead.