A Milestone Era
The 2026 college football season is now just 63 days away, a timeline that has coaches and fans alike marking calendars for Missouri’s return to the field. After three consecutive seasons that produced 29 combined victories, the program under Coach Eli Drinkwitz has cemented itself as one of the most consistent mid‑tier powers in the SEC.
Rankings and Projections
ESPN’s SP+ metric places the Tigers 19th nationally and ninth within the conference, projecting an average of 7.3 wins for the upcoming campaign. That figure ties Missouri for eighth in the league, but the model also flags a difficult slate that could keep the team from exceeding expectations.
A Grueling Schedule
The Tigers will face the nation’s 16th‑toughest schedule, ranking 11th hardest in the SEC and navigating a transition to a nine‑game conference schedule. Sportsbooks have set an over/under win total at 6.5, and only four SEC programs have posted more wins over the past three years, underscoring the narrow margin for error.
Analyst Brad Crawford of CBS Sports predicts a 6‑6 record, while ESPN’s internal forecast leans toward 4.7 wins, reflecting the impact of a demanding non‑conference slate that includes trips to Georgia and Texas.
Personnel Landscape
Defensively, the team will be rebuilding, with all 11 starters from the previous year departing. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon, however, arrives with back‑to‑back top‑15 ranked units to his credit. Offensively, Ahmad Hardy remains the most celebrated returning running back, while backup Jamal Roberts stands ready should Hardy be unavailable. At quarterback, Austin Simmons brings a high passing ceiling but limited collegiate snaps, having thrown fewer passes than Matt Zollers in his career.
Despite the turnover and a challenging outlook, the program is still viewed as a preseason contender for a top‑25 ranking, a testament to the momentum built under Drinkwitz and the belief that the talent pool remains deeper than the recent win total might suggest.