Missouri: Proving the New Standard is Here to Stay
I have the Missouri Tigers at No. 13 in my preseason rankings. After Eli Drinkwitz led the program to back-to-back double-digit win seasons for just the third time in school history, the question is no longer if Missouri can compete; it’s if they can sustain it. The Tigers now face their toughest test: reloading after losing 13 starters, including program legends quarterback Brady Cook and All-American receiver Luther Burden. With a favorable schedule and a roster infused with top-tier transfer talent, Missouri has a chance to prove its newfound success is the new standard.
2024: A Season of Grit and Glory
Last season was a testament to the program’s toughness. Missouri went 6-1 in one-score games, defined by the warrior mentality of quarterback Brady Cook. His legendary performance against Auburn—where he was knocked out with an injury, went to the hospital, and returned to lead the game-winning drive—will go down in Mizzou lore. The season’s signature moment was a walk-off fumble touchdown to beat old Big Eight rival Oklahoma, capping another 10-win campaign.
However, blowout losses to Texas A&M and Alabama showed there is still a gap between Missouri and the SEC’s elite. To close that gap, Drinkwitz must successfully navigate a massive roster overhaul.
Offense: New Faces, New Identity
The offense must replace its heart and soul. Coordinator Kirby Moore faces the challenge of replacing not just the production, but the leadership of Cook and Burden. Taking the reins at quarterback is Penn State transfer Beau Pribula. While he was a backup, Pribula was used extensively in run packages, accumulating over 500 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He brings a different, more physical dimension to the position.
The running back room has been completely restocked around ULM transfer Ahmad Hardy. As a true freshman, Hardy was an All-American, rushing for over 1,300 yards and forcing an incredible 94 missed tackles—second-most in the nation. He is a certified star. The receiver room is the biggest question mark. With Burden and the rest of the starting group gone, the Tigers will rely on new faces like Mississippi State transfer Kevin Coleman and top-100 freshman Donovan Olugbode to step up immediately.
Defense: A Five-Star Swap on the Edge
The defense avoided a total collapse after losing coordinator Blake Baker and five NFL draft picks, but advanced metrics showed a drop-off. New coordinator Corey Batoon will be less blitz-heavy, and he has some elite talent to work with.
The most exciting addition is at defensive end. In a stunning five-star swap, Missouri landed Georgia’s Damon Wilson, the #1 edge transfer in the entire portal. He is expected to be an immediate-impact star. The secondary is the most experienced unit on the team, returning the starting corner duo of Dreyden Norwood and Toriano Pride. However, the entire starting linebacker group is gone, leaving a major hole in the middle of the defense.
The Schedule and the Path
While the roster turnover is immense, the schedule is not. Missouri once again draws a favorable SEC slate, getting three of the conference’s bottom four teams. That manageable path gives them a clear runway to get their new pieces experience and build momentum throughout the season.
Why I’m Confident
Here’s why Missouri remains a Top 15 team despite the departures:
- Eli Drinkwitz’s proven ability to acquire elite talent through the transfer portal.
- An explosive new weapon at running back in Ahmad Hardy.
- A game-changing defensive talent in five-star transfer Damon Wilson.
- A favorable SEC schedule that provides a path to another winning season.
This is a regression season in terms of wins, but not a collapse. Brady Cook led an impressive two-year run, but now it’s time to see if the foundation Drinkwitz has built is strong enough to withstand the loss of program legends. At No. 13 in my preseason rankings, I expect Missouri to take a step back but remain a tough out in the SEC and comfortably reach a bowl game.
