Here are some quick thoughts on Missouri’s 24-14 win against Vanderbilt.

What it means: Missouri (6-2, 3-1) may be the most unheralded contender for a division race in a power conference. The Tigers continue to dominate low-end SEC East competition and face four unranked SEC foes to close the season. If Georgia stumbles, Missouri can sneak to another division title. The offense made incremental improvements, but it’s not enough if Mizzou wants to be one of the best 15-20 teams in the nation.

What I liked: Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy took pressure off Maty Mauk, accounting for 180 of the team’s 244 rushing yards. It’s no impressive feat at face value, but the defense shut down Vanderbilt’s running game (44 yards, 1.6 ypc) and held the Commodores to 240 total yards. Missouri took care of the ball and Braylon Webb nabbed his third interception in two games. Missouri also entered with back-to-back home losses, so ending that slide was important.

What I didn’t like: Missouri’s passing game produced well below 100 yards until a late flurry in the fourth quarter. Outside of Sasser, Missouri’s pass-catchers have done next to nothing to help the team the last several games.

Who’s the man: Sasser caught two touchdown passes and helped revive Missouri’s passing game to an extent, catching five passes for 74 yards.

Key play: On third-and-15, Mauk took off or a 36-yard gain that set up a 13-yard touchdown pass on the next play, extending Missouri’s lead to 17-7 late in the third quarter.

What’s next: Missouri hosts Kentucky (5-3, 2-3), the third-place team in the SEC East. Win, and the Tigers for all practical purposes clinch at least a second-place finish in the division.