A Look at the 2026 Outlook
The Missouri Tigers are poised to carry forward the momentum from a promising 2025 campaign as they gear up for the 2026 season, with the first major test coming on September 11 when they host Kansas.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz, now in his fifth year at the helm, continues to shape the program’s identity, emphasizing a balanced attack while maintaining the aggressive defensive philosophy that helped the team rank among the nation’s best in sacks.
Running back Ahmad Hardy, who burst onto the scene with 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns last season, returns as the centerpiece of a ground game that aims to dominate the line of scrimmage.
At quarterback, Austin Simmons will inherit the starting role, stepping in for departing starter Beau Pribula, and will be tasked with limiting turnovers after a season that saw the offense struggle against top competition.
Defensively, the Tigers boasted a strong front, averaging nearly three sacks per game and ranking 13th nationally in tackles for loss, yet they will need to replace several key contributors and improve their ability to force turnovers.
The upcoming matchup against Kansas not only offers an early‑season barometer but also underscores the importance of chemistry as new pieces mesh, especially on the defensive side of the ball.