Mizzou Football - After a 5-0 Start, How Do the Tigers Keep it Rolling into the Heart of SEC Play?

I'm a Missouri State Bear through and through, but being from Missouri, growing up going to Mizzou games, visiting buddies for tailgates and Homecoming -- it's impossible to not to tune in to the resurgence of Mizzou Football over the last couple years. And with the expanded College Football Playoff that has been implemented since last season, the odds of having a National Championship Contender in Como has sky-rocketed -- but can 2025 be the year the Tigers get their shot?

Coach Eli Drinkwitz took over the reigns in 2020 after leading Appalachian State to a 13-1 record in his lone season as their Head Coach. And while he started slow with 3 straight seasons under .500 at MIZ, he has fully turned it around in their last 3 seasons (including 2025). Once his recruits got in the door, this team has been a force in the powerful SEC -- 11-2 in 2023, 10-3 in 2024, and off to a 5-0 start in 2025. And the buzz around this year's team is palpable -- we knew the early-season schedule would be a benefit record-wise, but they seem to have hit home runs on several transfers, most notably Heisman Darkhorse RB Ahmad Hardy, and electrifying QB Beau Pribula.

The early-season scheduling is no doubt a major factor in why they haven't had the amount of hype other undefeated teams have over the first half of the season -- The Tigers haven't played away from Faurot Field all season, and the best teams they've played have been South Carolina with a banged up LaNoris Sellers, and a plucky Kansas Team in a rivalry game. This week, the Alabama Crimson Tide come to Columbia, and Mizzou will have a chance to earn a statement win and plant themselves firmly in the College Football Playoff Picture.

But the schedule continues ramping up for the rest of the season -- it's not just Bama coming to town. Next week they play their first road game of the year at Auburn, always a very difficult road environment. The next week they're at Vanderbilt -- a ranked team that went toe-to-toe with Bama for much of that game Saturday, and a really talented, play-making QB in Diego Pavia. Then they'll host Texas A&M -- unbeaten, #5 in the country currently, a statement road win vs Notre Dame, 2 SEC wins already. They'll host Mississippi State after that who's looked better than expected thus far. Then ending the year going to 2 rivals: Oklahoma (where they'll likely have Heisman-candidate John Mateer back from injury) and Arkansas -- a team similar to Kansas with a dynamic QB (Taylon Green) that is very plucky.

So what needs to happen for this year's Mizzou team to break through and clinch a CFP spot? You have to imagine 10-2 is the goal to have a chance -- whether that includes an SEC Championship appearance or not, that would have them very much in the mix. In the sections below, we'll talk about what we think will be necessary for Mizzou to make that jump -- what facets of the game they need to sure up, what players need to perform (or continue to perform), and what will be key for this Tiger Team to reach their fullest potential.

The Stars Continue to Shine

If you've watched even a one Mizzou Football game this year, you know this team, especially on the offensive side of the ball, has legit fire-power. They have the best running back in the nation thus far in Ahmad Hardy -- the University of Louisiana-Monroe transfer leads the FBS in rushing yards with 730 in 5 games. He's a game breaker -- bounces off tacklers, has breakaway speed, and incredible balance. And they don't run him into the ground, because they have another quality RB in Jamal Roberts, who's also Top-10 in rushing in the SEC. He has big play ability, and this team's at their best when they're involving both backs, keeping them fresh.

While the RB's get a lot of the shine, this offensive line has been terrific for the Tigers. Reliable offensive line statistics are hard to come by, but this unit is highly-ranked across many different metrics, and have standouts across the board. Offensive Tackle Cayden Green has been the highest rated OT in the country multiple times this season, and his fellow OT Keagen Trost has been sensational out of no where (Top-2 ranked OT by PFF, Wake Forest transfer). Add in Center Connor Tollison, and you have a unit that's been opening massive holes for Hardy and Roberts all year, and holding up well in pass protection.

QB Beau Pribula is another big name on this offense. The Penn State transfer has come in to the starting role for Mizzou, replacing Brady Cook admirably. He's Top-25 in the nation in QBR, has 1,200+ yards and has accounted for 12 TD's to 3 INT's. He hasn't been asked to do a ton -- especially recently with Hardy dominating on the ground -- but he will be asked to step up over the course of the 2nd half, and whether he can rise to the occasion will be the difference between winning and losing these games.

And Pribula has a great weapons arsenal of pass-catchers to help him out. The names may not pop like the Jeremiah Smith or Ryan Williams -- but you know who has more receptions than both? Kevin Coleman Jr. (39 catches, 386 yards). He's been Pribula's safety net with 3 games of 8+ catches and a pair of 100-yard games. Marquis Johnson is a big play threat as well, and the Tight End Brett Norfleet has been on the receiving end of 4 scores through 5 games. Between these 3 and the RB's, making plays in the passing game is an area Mizzou has room to grow, but the capability to do so.

And finally, defensively -- this Tigers team has been very sharp on that side of the ball. They currently are #2 in the Nation in yards allowed per game at just 203 ypg. That includes being #1 against the run (62 ypg) -- a testament to how well this D-line plays in the trenches, and how well the linebackers tackle. Zion Young has been their star -- often the focal point of their opponents' game plan, he's still gotten a sack in both of their biggest games against KU and SCAR. He's the X-factor for them applying pressure as they face better QB's. Josiah Trotter leads them in tackles and commands the defense -- him continuing to rack up tackles is a major key to their success. Look for Damon Wilson II as well -- 3.5 sacks on the season, leading the team.

Get a Statement Win, Defend Home Turf

This weekend against the Crimson Tide is the perfect opportunity for Missouri to announce themselves on the National Stage. Their win over South Carolina is being overlooked because LaNorris Sellers was banged up -- but they were the preseason #13 team for a reason, ranked as high as #10 before losing to Vandy. The Kansas game also isn't going to earn them much street cred -- so Alabama presents an opportunity to earn a signature win, without having to leave their home turf.

But even without winning this weekend, there are opportunities for Missouri in this 2nd Half. They'll host the #5 team in the country in Texas A&M -- a team with speed, size, and 5-stars all over the field. A win like that would be a massive signature win. They'll also host Mississippi State in a year where they aren't a push over -- that will be a must-win game to keep their slate clean. They'll have chances on the road for big wins as well: @ Vanderbilt -- a game that in year's past would be considered a trap game is now a legit resume-builder -- and @ Oklahoma -- a team that has looked dominant when Mateer's steering the ship. Even @ Auburn would be a win that earns some National Attention.

But what will be most important for Mizzou over the course of the next couple months will be winning their big games at home. They've taken care of business to this point -- but against lesser competition. In year's past, Mizzou has seemed to falter when they have opportunities to knock off the Big Dogs in the SEC at home (Georgia a few years ago comes to mind). By winning one of (or both) the Alabama and Texas A&M games, and beating Miss State -- this team will be well on their way.

Secondary Improvement, Limit the Big Plays

The biggest roadblock to winning these big games and being in contention for the College Football Playoff when I talk to my Mizzou fan friends doesn't regard the offense -- it's the defensive secondary. They have the strength to hold their own in the trenches, they have the versatility at LB to make tackles and limit damage -- but it remains to be seen if this secondary can limit the big plays that are backbreakers against better opponents.

Watching the South Carolina game -- a team that thrives on hitting those deep shots and moving the ball in big chunks -- you could see those concerns. Sellers connected on 6 passes of 20+ yards in this game -- whether WRs got behind this secondary or evaded bad tackling from the secondary -- and he missed on a few more big gains. Speaking of missing on deep balls, Jalon Daniels of Kansas could've made that game even more concerning for Mizzou if he was able to connect consistently. The corners and safeties for the Tigers have to do a much better job of containing the big plays.

This is a defense that has been sensational against the run, and for the most part has been good against the pass as well -- but the jury is out on whether that's due to strength of schedule, or actual production. What we do know is that giving up big plays to an Alabama or Texas A&M will sink your ship. And it puts the offense in a bad position where they can't operate the way they want to -- run the rock, hit on play-action, and wear you out.

Control the Ball = Control the Game

Speaking of letting your offense operate the way they want to -- that is my final key for Mizzou in the 2nd half of the season. This offense is at it's best when they can control the line of scrimmage with their O-line, run the ball for chunk yardage with their elite RBs, and connect on play-action passes because the defense is loading the box to stop the run. If the secondary is giving up big-plays, Mizzou will be playing from behind, limiting the playbook and forcing Pribula to throw the ball downfield. Not saying he isn't capable of doing so -- but they haven't had to do it a ton this year.

But if they do find themselves behind on the scoreboard, I'm interested to see how Pribula responds. He's connected on some deep shots, looks very fluid throwing the ball, and has capable pass-catchers. Beau's been extremely accurate (nearly 76% completion) on the year -- I think the biggest things for him will be connecting on a few 15+ yard passes each week, not turning the ball over, and making more plays with his legs when things break down. He has 2 games of 65+ rushing yards on the year -- but he has the speed and improv skills for more. If he gets going on the ground, it's another dimension for an already great run game.

It's also important to think about the fact that Mizzou essentially has a non-existent kicking game due to injuries. That's vitally important part of controlling a game. If you can't trust a kicker to make a FG from 40+ yards, it puts tremendous pressure on the offense AND the defense. I do think it opens the playbook a bit offensively -- knowing you're in 4-down territory enables you to take a chunk play on 3rd & long to set yourself up for a convertible 4th down. But Defensively, it adds responsibility of making plays and keeping your opponent out of Field Goal range. 3rd down stops will be vitally important for the Tigers throughout the 2nd half -- getting off the field and allowing your offense to control the game clock is key.

Closing Thoughts

Mizzou has won the games they're supposed to win to this point, but if they want to make a CFP, they're going to have to go at least 5-2 over their last 7 games. I don't think 3 losses cuts it -- with the schedule they have remaining and the home opportunities they have, I don't think they can go 4-3 and make it. They have the star power, they have the composition of a Playoff Team -- the question will be whether they can prove they have the ability to win big games and avoid bad losses. Plenty of tricky games left on the schedule, but opportunity is knocking for Missouri to break through -- now they have to go take it.