The Tigers’ defense did keep Missouri within striking distance for much of the first half, permitting just six points — on two field goals from Crimson Tide kicker Graham Nicholson — until backup quarterback Drew Pyne replaced Cook with 4:58 left in the second quarter.

The Crimson Tide put the game away in the third quarter when Jalen Milroe bounced to his right and scored a nine-yard TD for a 20-0 lead. To be frank, the game was probably over at halftime as Missouri’s offense struggled once again without QB Brady Cook.

The first half was a defensive slugfest as Missouri trotted out a mostly-broken Brady Cook at QB. The Tide defense pretty well dominated the Tiger offense, outside of a couple of decent runs and one third down “conversion” on a bogus penalty.

SportsLine's Jimmie Kaylor revealed his Week 9 CFB picks, predictions and props for the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Missouri Tigers game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday

Alabama has played in four straight nail-biting one-score games, struggling to pull away in each contest. Last week, the 15th-ranked Crimson Tide lost to Tennessee, giving them little to no margin for error for the rest of the season.