San Antonio ? The national title hopes are over. The lopsided loss in the Big 12 championship still stings. And Missouri’s consolation prize: a New Year’s Day bowl game right back in Texas.

Their Cotton Bowl opponent is No. 25 Arkansas (8-4).

To make matters worse, archrival Kansas – a team Missouri handled soundly in an Arrowhead Stadium showdown that gave the Tigers the Big 12 North division title – leapfrogged Missouri for a Bowl Championship Series berth.

Kansas is ranked No. 8 in the new AP poll, one spot behind Missouri. In the final BCS standings, Missouri is two spots ahead of the Jayhawks. No conference can have three BCS representatives.

Quarterback Chase Daniel said that while it’s tough to miss out on the BCS, being in the Cotton Bowl is a big deal for Missouri.

“It’s disappointing, but like coach (Gary) Pinkel said, we can’t focus on that,” Daniel said.