The AP preseason top‑25 poll released on August 17, 2024 placed the Missouri Tigers at No. 25, marking the twelfth occasion the program has appeared in the preseason rankings.
The same ranking was mirrored in the US LBM Coaches Poll, underscoring a broad consensus among analysts about the team’s potential heading into the new season.
Missouri’s recent trajectory reflects a rebound after a 2023 bowl loss that left the squad unranked, followed by consecutive double‑digit win seasons that restored its national relevance.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz, now in his second preseason Top‑25 appearance, has been credited with accelerating the program’s turnaround and fostering a competitive culture.
A Daunting Schedule
The Tigers will open the season on September 3 against Arkansas‑Pine Bluff at Faurot Field in Columbia before confronting a slate that includes five preseason top‑10 opponents: No. 3 Georgia, No. 5 Texas, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 10 Oklahoma.
Analysts expect the early schedule to serve as a crucible that could either solidify the Tigers’ rise or expose gaps that must be addressed before the SEC championship chase.