The Missouri Tigers are a squad looking to take the next step under Eliah Drinkwitz. After a huge jump to an 11-2 record and a Cotton Bowl victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, these Tigers are ready to roll their way to the top of the SEC this upcoming season.
When you have a quarterback and receiver combo as dynamic as Brady Cook and Luther Burden III, it is hard to imagine you do not repeat the same success you had this past season. Their schedule is also favorable, with a weaker nonconference slate and some of their key games being at home, this Missouri team is ready to establish themselves as one of the better teams in the nation yet again.
This team lost some key pieces on defense and will need to figure out their rushing attack with both the SEC’s leading rusher Cody Schrader and All-SEC left tackle Javon Foster moving on, there are some holes to figure out. But they added some transfers and the Drinkwitz recruiting formula will need to show how much it has worked so far. Player development will be the name of the game for the Tigers in 2024.
But where will their losses come from? And how will the Tigers do in their attempt to run the SEC gauntlet this season?
Which games will Missouri Football lose in 2024?
Texas A&M
The Texas A&M Aggies are looking to rebound this season in their continuing rebuild as a program, but there is one thing that has always been constant about their program, their home-field advantage. Even when the Aggies are not the better team, Kyle Field is such a difficult place to play that just about anybody can be threatened with a loss here.
They are a program that was in a similar spot as Missouri where this season is a bit of a make or break from them, the Aggies need big wins at home to prove to the rest of the nation they still belong in the SEC, and a win against Missouri would be just that.
The Tigers will be facing this as a tough road matchup early on in their nonconference play, and that will be a tough battle to tackle. This can be an early season wake-up call and can have plenty of lessons to take away from a loss like that. However, this is still a very winnable game for Missouri as they are the better team, but the road environment will be difficult.
Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide under new head coach Kalen DeBoer still have plenty of expectations under their new regime. Jalen Milroe will be using this season to improve his NFL Draft stock, while also still pursuing a chance at a National Championship.
The Tigers come into this game on the road against this tough Tide squad and this will be the game of the year for this unit. But Alabama has too much firepower for Missouri to handle here, and with this being in Tuscaloosa, it will be their toughest game in the regular season.
Most Missouri fans will probably expect a loss here realistically, but a tight game could show to the Tiger faithful that there is a lot to be hopeful for potentially heading into a College Football Playoff bid. This team also has a home matchup against Oklahoma right after this, which would be a perfect bounce-back opportunity against a quality team.
Another two-loss season would be excellent for the Missouri Tigers
The Missouri Tigers have a prime opportunity to establish themselves as a consistent program going forward, and with a favorable schedule, this would be the year to do it. A two-loss season gives themselves a shot at a College Football Playoff berth, so Missouri fans will be excited with a season like this.