By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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The Tigers scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes to move to 4-1 on the season.

Missouri overcame a 20-7 deficit to upset No. 13 South Carolina Saturday night, 21-20. The Tigers scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes to move to 4-1 on the season. The Gamecocks fell to 3-2. Lets look at five takeaways from the third annual Battle of Columbia.

1. Missouri heard the calls of cone-year wonderd all week after a home loss to perennial Big Ten doormat Indiana. For three quarters Saturday night, thats exactly what the Tigers looked like. But the final 10 minutes belonged to Missouri, as the visitors played with fire, tact, poise and toughness to erase a 13-point deficit and exact revenge on a team that overcame a 17-point deficit of its own last year at Missouri.

2. Lost in the fallout from the South Carolina collapse was a major step forward by the Gamecocks pass defense. After looking lifeless for most of the seasons first month, the defense held Maty Mauk to just 12 of 34 passes for 132 yards. While they let their guard up at the worst possible time, it was still significant progress for a unit that came into the game full of question marks. A tricky trip to Kentucky next week, which sports a capable passing attack, seems a little less dangerous, despite Saturdays loss, with the progress of the secondary.

3. Shane Ray is a game-changer. The junior defensive end benefited from the return of cohort Markus Golden, who missed the Indiana game with a hamstring injury. Goldens presence helped free up Ray to sack quarterback Dylan Thompson two times, increasing his season total to seven. The Tigers pass rush has helped mask some deficiencies elsewhere on defense and must continue to be disruptive for Missouri to contend for the division title.

4. Every year, there is one. South Carolina simply cant avoid the head-scratching defeat. It was 5-7 Tennessee in 2013, 8-5 Auburn in 2011 and 6-7 Kentucky in 2010. All three teams upset the Gamecocks, with the first two costing South Carolina the SEC East title. For all Steve Spurrier has done over the past decade in Columbia, he hasnt solved the issue of the annual lapse against a seemingly beaten opponent. This was South Carolinas game for 55 minutes. To quote Dennis Green, the Tigers were who South Carolina thought they were, and it let them off the hook.

5. What do we make of the SEC East race heading into October? Every team except Missouri has a conference loss, and the Tigers now get a week off to prepare for consecutive games against Georgia and Florida. Are the defending champions the favorite to return to Atlanta? Georgia is the most talented team by a country mile, but when you watch the Bulldogs, you wonder if the coaching staff is capable of maximizing that talent. Expect plenty of twists and turns ahead.