National college football writer Dennis Dodd discusses recent performances of Mizzou, Illinois

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Week four in college football was a mixed bag for the Missouri Tigers and Illinois Fighting Illini.

On one hand, Illinois had a tremendous week, heading into a matchup against then-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Nebraska and winning a terrific and tight game against the Cornhuskers and quarterback Dylan Raiola.

Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer had a performance of a lifetime throwing four touchdowns and passing for 215 yards.

"I was really impressed by the win at Nebraska" said Dennis Dodd, a national college football writer for CBS Sports on 'The Chris and Amy Show'. "This was the turnaround game (for Nebraska). They haven't beaten a ranked opponent as a ranked team in I don't know when. It looked like they were going to beat Illinois, but Illinois just kept coming."

Altmyer's performance help Illinois move up to No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 poll . The Fighting Illini will take that ranking into a tough game against No. 9 Penn State at Beaver Stadium Saturday night.

"I'm not ready to say Illinois can challenge for the Big 10. They have to go to Penn State this week and I think that's going to be a fun game," said Dodd. "They very much resembled a Bret Bielema team. They are very physical, well coached, the coordinators there are awesome."

On the other hand, Mizzou had another iffy performance for the second consecutive week, this time at Faurot Field against the Vanderbilt Commodores. While Mizzou eventually was able to beat the Commodores, it wasn't pretty at all, with double overtime needed.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia had a strong game passing for 178 yards, throwing two touchdowns and rushing for 84 yards, a missed field goal by Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor in wet conditions in the second overtime prove to be ultimately the difference maker to help Mizzou remain undefeated and scrap past the Commodores.

"(Mizzou coach) Eli Drinkwitz didn't do himself any favors with a couple of really bad coaching decisions, especially at the end of the first half, which handed Vanderbilt three points," said Dodd.

While the Tigers did win, it's mediocre performance for dropped the Tigers outside the top 10 in the latest AP Top 25, with the Tigers dropping from No. 7 to No. 11. The Tigers are on a bye this week before heading to College Station, Texas to take on No. 24 Texas A&M.

Dodd says the drop in the rankings isn't too concerning and ultimately, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Rankings, not the AP Top 25, is what matters.

"The polls are what they are," said Dodd. "The CFP is going to determine that, not the AP Poll, and if Missouri did what they did last year, go 10-2, playing in the SEC, I think they are going to be in the playoff. The discussion here is how do they get there after what we have seen lately?"