TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium was nothing short of a nightmare for Missouri Football.

The Tigers came in hoping to put up a fight, but instead they left with a 34-0 loss that has cast serious doubt on their season. After a performance like that, many are wondering if Missouri can salvage what’s left of their season or if it is already slipping away.

Starting quarterback Brady Cook entered the game despite an ankle injury following last week’s 21-17 win over Auburn.

You could see the toll it took on him as he struggled to find his rhythm early on. Although he clearly played through the pain, Cook managed to keep Missouri within reasonable distance in the first half. The Tigers defense came into action, holding Alabama to just three points in the first quarter and forcing multiple three-and-outs.

At that point, it looked like Missouri might be able to weather the storm. But then Cook injured his hand early in the second quarter, and things took a sharp turn from there.

Enter Drew Pyne, the former Notre Dame and Arizona State quarterback who was tasked with filling in for Cook. And unfortunately for Missouri, the offense collapsed.

Pyne completed just 6 of 12 passes for just 46 yards, throwing three costly interceptions that tilted the game firmly in Alabama’s favor. This wasn’t just a case of Alabama’s defense overwhelming a backup quarterback; some of Pyne’s throws were errant and downright ugly.

It’s one thing to struggle in a hostile environment like Tuscaloosa, but Pyne’s performance has many questioning his ability to lead this team if Cook’s injuries persist.

READ MORE: Missouri suffers brutal shutout to Alabama after Cook’s departure

“He’s trying to put us in a position to get back in the game,” Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz said after the game. “And I understand that, but in those situations we just can’t put the ball in danger. And you know, in the end it’s up to me.”

With Cook’s health on the line and Pyne’s shaky debut, Missouri’s future looks increasingly uncertain.

Even if Cook returns, his ankle injury could very well linger for the remainder of the season, affecting his mobility and overall play. And if Pyne remains in the starting role, he will have to show significant improvement before Missouri has any hope of staying competitive.

Either way, it’s a tough road ahead, and Missouri’s playoff dreams appear to be fading quickly.

But it’s not all doom and gloom yet.

Despite this setback, a ten-win season is still within reach. Missouri currently sits at 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC, and while any realistic chance at the SEC Championship is likely gone, they still have a chance to finish strong.

This loss will almost certainly knock Missouri out of the Top 25, but the Tigers can still climb back if they can string together a few wins.

At home versus Oklahoma, Missouri will get a chance at redemption, but they’ll have to do their best against Brent Venables’ up-and-down Sooners. A road stretch against South Carolina and Mississippi State will test their resilience, while a home finale against somewhat lowly Arkansas offers a chance to end the season on a high note.

Each of these games is technically winnable, but the Tigers will have to clean things up.

Injuries are a reality in college football, but this late in the season it’s all about resilience and heart. Drinkwitz has a reputation for building courageous teams that can bounce back from adversity, and Missouri fans are hoping this group can do just that.

With the pressure mounting and so much at stake, Missouri’s season is at a crossroads.

It’s do or die time, and the Tigers’ upcoming games will determine whether they can turn things around this season or whether they’re left wondering what could have happened.