Prepare for an electrifying gridiron season as the Missouri Tigers unveil their 2025 football schedule. With a tantalizing mix of fierce rivals and up-and-coming contenders, this season promises to ignite the passion of loyal Mizzou fans. The Tigers will embark on a challenging journey, their path paved with both familiar foes and uncharted territories, setting the stage for an unforgettable year on the gridiron.
The Tigers’ home opener will be a captivating clash against the Kansas Jayhawks, igniting a long-standing rivalry that spans decades of intense competition. The stadium will reverberate with the roar of the crowd as the two fierce rivals collide in a battle for supremacy. Following this high-stakes encounter, Mizzou will welcome the Vanderbilt Commodores to Faurot Field, offering a chance for the Tigers to showcase their dominance and climb the SEC ladder.
The road ahead for the Tigers is paved with both familiar challenges and exciting new opportunities. They will face off against the Ole Miss Rebels in a highly anticipated SEC West matchup, where the battle for the Golden Egg Trophy will reignite the rivalry. A trip to College Station awaits the Tigers later in the season, where they will clash against the Texas A&M Aggies in a daunting test of their mettle. Missouri will also venture outside the conference for a highly intriguing non-conference matchup against the BYU Cougars, adding a unique flavor to their schedule. As the season progresses, the intensity will only amplify, with each game shaping the Tigers’ destiny and etching their legacy into Mizzou football history.
Missouri Football 2025: Season Outlook
Season Outlook
Missouri football is looking to build on a successful 2024 campaign that saw them finish with a 9-4 record and a berth in the Liberty Bowl. The Tigers return a number of key players from that team, including quarterback Brady Cook, running back Cody Schrader, and wide receiver Dominic Lovett.
Cook is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the SEC and is coming off a season in which he threw for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Schrader is a bruising running back who rushed for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024. Lovett is a rising star at wide receiver and led the Tigers in receiving yards and touchdowns last season.
Schedule
Missouri football’s 2025 schedule is as follows:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 30 | Louisiana Tech | Faurot Field |
| September 6 | at Arkansas | Razorback Stadium |
| September 13 | South Carolina | Faurot Field |
| September 20 | at Kentucky | Kroger Field |
| September 27 | Vanderbilt | Faurot Field |
| October 4 | at Florida | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium |
| October 11 | Georgia | Faurot Field |
| October 18 | at Ole Miss | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium |
| October 25 | Texas A&M | Faurot Field |
| November 1 | at Tennessee | Neyland Stadium |
| November 8 | New Mexico State | Faurot Field |
| November 15 | at Auburn | Jordan-Hare Stadium |
| November 22 | Arkansas | Faurot Field |
Breaking Down the Tigers’ 2025 Schedule
2. Home Games
Mizzou’s home slate in 2025 features a mix of familiar foes and new challenges. The Tigers will open their home campaign against the Central Arkansas Bears, a FCS opponent from the Southland Conference. Mizzou has faced Central Arkansas twice before, winning both contests by comfortable margins. The following week, the Tigers host the Iowa Hawkeyes in a non-conference battle that has been played annually since 2010. Missouri holds a 5-4 advantage in the series, but Iowa has won the last two meetings.
Conference play begins at home against the Kentucky Wildcats on September 20th. Missouri has dominated the series against Kentucky, winning 8 of the last 9 matchups. The Tigers will also host the Florida Gators, Vanderbilt Commodores, and South Carolina Gamecocks in conference play. Florida is a perennial contender in the SEC East, while Vanderbilt and South Carolina have struggled in recent years.
Mizzou’s home schedule concludes with a non-conference matchup against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on November 8th. The Tigers and Red Wolves have met only once before, with Arkansas State winning a nail-biter in 2019.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| August 30 | Central Arkansas (FCS) | TBD |
| September 6 | Iowa | TBD |
| September 20 | Kentucky | TBD |
| October 4 | Florida | TBD |
| October 18 | Vanderbilt | TBD |
| November 1 | South Carolina | TBD |
| November 8 | Arkansas State (FCS) | TBD |
Key Matchups to Watch
The Missouri Tigers football team will face a challenging schedule in 2025, with several key matchups to watch throughout the season.
September 6: vs. Purdue Boilermakers
The Tigers will open their season at home against the Purdue Boilermakers, who are coming off a 9-4 season in 2022. Purdue returns a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Aidan O’Connell and wide receiver Charlie Jones. This will be a tough test for Missouri right out of the gate.
September 27: at Kansas State Wildcats
Missouri will travel to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on the Kansas State Wildcats on September 27th. The Wildcats are coming off a 10-3 season in 2022 and are expected to be one of the top teams in the Big 12 in 2025. This will be a major challenge for the Tigers, who will need to play their best to come away with a victory.
October 11: vs. Georgia Bulldogs
The Tigers will host the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs on October 11th. This will be a huge game for Missouri, as they will be looking to make a statement against one of the best teams in the country. Georgia will be a heavy favorite in this game, but the Tigers will need to play their best to have a chance at pulling off the upset.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 6 | Purdue Boilermakers | Faurot Field |
| September 27 | Kansas State Wildcats | Bill Snyder Family Stadium |
| October 11 | Georgia Bulldogs | Faurot Field |
Potential Impact of Newcomers
The 2025 Missouri football season will see the arrival of a highly touted recruiting class that is expected to make an immediate impact on the program. The newcomers include:
- Quarterback Tyler Macon: Macon is a 6’4″, 220-pound quarterback who is considered one of the best pro-style passers in the country. He is expected to compete for the starting job immediately and could be a major upgrade over current starter Brady Cook.
- Running back Cody Schrader: Schrader is a 5’11”, 200-pound running back who is known for his speed and power. He is expected to be the team’s primary ball carrier and could form a dynamic duo with returning running back Nathaniel Peat.
- Wide receiver Luther Burden III: Burden is a 6’1″, 185-pound wide receiver who is considered one of the most talented pass-catchers in the country. He is expected to be the team’s go-to wide receiver and could be a major threat in the passing game.
- Defensive end Shemar Stewart: Stewart is a 6’4″, 260-pound defensive end who is known for his strength and athleticism. He is expected to be a major contributor to the pass rush and could be a breakout star for the defense.
Potential impact on offense
The addition of Macon, Schrader, and Burden is expected to give the Missouri offense a major boost. Macon is a more talented passer than Cook, and he should be able to take advantage of the team’s talented wide receivers. Schrader is a more dynamic runner than Peat, and he should be able to give the offense a more balanced attack. Burden is a potential All-American wide receiver, and he should be able to take a lot of pressure off of Keke Chism.
Potential impact on defense
The addition of Stewart is expected to give the Missouri defense a much-needed boost. Stewart is a talented pass rusher, and he should be able to help the team get more pressure on the quarterback. He is also a solid run defender, and he should be able to help the team stop the run more effectively.
Offensive Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Returning starter Connor Bazelak at quarterback.
- An experienced offensive line led by All-SEC guard Case Cook.
- A deep and talented receiving corps featuring Dominic Lovett, Jalen Knox, and Mookie Cooper.
- A versatile running back who have rushed for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
- An offensive coordinator in Bush Hamdan who has a track record of success in developing quarterbacks and offenses.
Weaknesses
- Bazelak’s injury history.
- A lack of proven depth at wide receiver.
- The offensive line could be vulnerable to pressure if Cook is not at his best.
- The running back position is unproven behind Cook.
- The Tigers have struggled to score points in recent seasons, averaging just 23.4 points per game in 2021.
Top 5 Offensive Players to Watch
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Connor Bazelak | Quarterback |
| Case Cook | Guard |
| Dominic Lovett | Wide Receiver |
| Jalen Knox | Wide Receiver |
| Mookie Cooper | Wide Receiver |
Coaching Staff Changes
Staff changes for Missouri football in 2025 reflect the program’s commitment to improvement. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has brought in several experienced coaches to bolster the team’s performance on and off the field.
Expectations
The Tigers enter the 2025 season with high expectations. After a promising 2024 campaign, the team is aiming for contention in the SEC East division and a return to bowl eligibility.
7. Key Games
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 6 | FAMU | Faurot Field, Columbia, MO |
| September 13 | West Virginia | Morgantown, WV |
| September 20 | Cal | Faurot Field, Columbia, MO |
| September 27 | at Auburn | Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL |
| October 4 | Georgia | Faurot Field, Columbia, MO |
| October 11 | BYU | LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT |
| October 18 | Vanderbilt | Faurot Field, Columbia, MO |
| October 25 | at South Carolina | Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC |
| November 1 | Kentucky | Faurot Field, Columbia, MO |
| November 8 | at Florida | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL |
| November 15 | at Tennessee | Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN |
| November 22 | Arkansas | Faurot Field, Columbia, MO |
Missouri’s 2025 schedule features several challenging matchups, including road games against SEC foes Auburn, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. The Tigers must navigate a tough conference slate to achieve their goals for the season.
Home Field Advantage at Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, located in Columbia, Missouri, is the home stadium of the Missouri Tigers football team. The stadium has a capacity of 61,620 and was built in 1926. It is known for its unique horseshoe shape and lively atmosphere.
Tiger Walk
Tiger Walk is a pregame tradition that takes place two hours before each home game. Fans line up along Stadium Boulevard and welcome the team as it arrives at the stadium.
Memorial Stadium Expansion
In 2008, Memorial Stadium underwent a major expansion and renovation. The expansion added 8,000 seats, bringing the stadium’s capacity to 61,620. The renovation also included new seating, a new press box, and improved concessions.
The expansion of Memorial Stadium has significantly enhanced the home field advantage for the Missouri Tigers. The stadium is now one of the most intimidating venues in the SEC, and it consistently ranks among the top-20 stadiums in college football for attendance.
Here are some statistics that highlight the home field advantage of the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium:
| Season | Overall Home Record |
| 2018 | 5-2 |
| 2019 | 6-2 |
| 2020 | 4-2 |
As the table shows, the Missouri Tigers have a winning home record in each of the past three seasons. The stadium’s unique horseshoe shape and lively atmosphere make it a difficult place for opposing teams to play.
National Ranking and Conference Implications
With Mizzou 2025 season wrapping up, the Tigers have made a strong case for a Top 25 finish in the national rankings. Their impressive 10-3 record, including a 7-2 mark in SEC play, has them currently ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll. A victory in the upcoming bowl game would likely solidify their place in the Top 25, giving them their highest end-of-season ranking since 2018.
In terms of conference implications, Mizzou’s success in 2025 holds significant weight. The Tigers finished second in the SEC East behind Georgia, but their record and performance on the field demonstrate their competitiveness within the conference. With a strong recruiting class coming in and several key players returning next season, Mizzou is poised to contend for the SEC East title and make a run at the SEC Championship Game.
Top 9 Moments of the Season
| Rank | Moment |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tigers upset No. 6 LSU in Death Valley |
| 2 | Mizzou defeats No. 10 Florida at home |
| 3 | Tigers rally from 14-point deficit to beat Arkansas |
| 4 | Mizzou’s defense shuts down No. 21 Kentucky |
| 5 | Tigers win season-opening game against Louisiana Tech |
| 6 | Mizzou upsets No. 17 Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium |
| 7 | Tigers clinch bowl eligibility with win over Vanderbilt |
| 8 | Mizzou’s seniors lead team to victory over rival Kansas |
| 9 | Tigers dominate Ole Miss in Oxford |
The Tigers’ success in 2025 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, coaching staff, and fans. With continued improvement and a strong recruiting pipeline, Mizzou is positioned to be a force in the SEC for years to come.
Predictions and Hopes for the 2025 Season
1. A Playoff Berth
The Tigers have not appeared in the College Football Playoff since 2017, but they have a chance to end that drought in 2025. With a talented roster and a favorable schedule, Missouri could make a run to the semifinals or even the championship game.
2. A Top-10 Finish
Missouri has not finished in the top 10 since 2014, but they have a chance to do so in 2025. With a veteran offense and a stingy defense, the Tigers could be one of the best teams in the country.
3. A Heisman Trophy Candidate
Missouri has not had a Heisman Trophy winner since 1985, but they could have one in 2025. Quarterback Brady Cook is a rising star, and he could put up big numbers in Eli Drinkwitz’s offense.
4. A Break from the SEC East
Missouri has been in the SEC East since 2012, but they could get a break in 2025. The SEC is considering expanding to 16 teams, and Missouri could be moved to the West Division. This would give the Tigers a more favorable schedule and a better chance of winning the SEC championship.
5. A Home Win over Alabama
Missouri has never beaten Alabama in football, but they could have a chance to do so in 2025. The Tigers will host the Crimson Tide in Columbia, and they will have a veteran team that could be ready to pull off an upset.
6. A Sellout Season
Missouri has not had a sellout season since 2014, but they could have one in 2025. With a talented team and a new stadium, the Tigers could draw big crowds all season long.
7. A Bowl Game Win
Missouri has not won a bowl game since the 2014 Cotton Bowl. They have a chance to end that drought in 2025, especially if they finish the season with a strong record.
8. A Top-25 Defense
Missouri has not had a top-25 defense since 2013, but they could have one in 2025. The Tigers have a lot of talent on that side of the ball, and they could be one of the best defenses in the SEC.
9. An All-American Player
Missouri has not had an All-American player since 2013, but they could have one in 2025. There are several players on the roster who have the potential to be All-Americans, including Cook, wide receiver Dominic Lovett, and defensive end Isaiah McGuire.
10. A Season for the Ages
The 2025 season could be a special one for Missouri football. With a talented roster and a favorable schedule, the Tigers have a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs and win their first national championship since 1969.
| Prediction | Hope |
|---|---|
| Top-10 finish | National championship |
| Heisman Trophy candidate | Sellout season |
| Break from the SEC East | Home win over Alabama |
| Bowl game win | Top-25 defense |
| All-American player | Season for the ages |
Missouri 2025 Football Schedule
Missouri has released its 2025 football schedule, which features a challenging slate of opponents. The Tigers will open the season at home against the Kansas Jayhawks on Aug. 30, then hit the road to face the North Carolina Tar Heels on Sept. 6. Missouri will then return home to host the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks on Sept. 13 before facing the Kentucky Wildcats on the road on Sept. 20. The Tigers will close out their non-conference schedule with a home game against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Sept. 27.
Missouri will open SEC play on Oct. 4 at home against the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers will then travel to face the Florida Gators on Oct. 11 and the South Carolina Gamecocks on Oct. 18. Missouri will have a bye week on Oct. 25 before hosting the Ole Miss Rebels on Nov. 1. The Tigers will then travel to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Nov. 8 and the Arkansas Razorbacks on Nov. 15. Missouri will close out the regular season at home against the Texas A&M Aggies on Nov. 22.
