Tom’s Two Cents: Missouri State Bears 2025 Preview

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The Missouri State Bears are officially entering the deep end for the 2025 season — no more FCS kiddie pool, it’s time to see if this squad can swim with the big fish in Conference USA. And let me tell you, this team has enough talent on offense to put up fireworks every Saturday, but the big question is whether the defense can stop anyone once the smoke clears.

Today I'll be giving you my preview of the Mo State Bears 20205 season as they enter FBS. It's long overdue Missouri gets another FBS Team, and I'll be giving you the rundown on the newest members of CUSA.

Coach Beard & the QB Room

Ryan Beard is building this program around explosive offense, and it shows. Last season, Missouri State finished 3rd in the FCS in passing efficiency, cranking out nearly 425 yards and 35 points per game. At the center of it all is quarterback Jacob Clark, the Minnesota transfer who lit up the box score for 3,604 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions.

Clark isn’t just good — he’s FBS good. At 6’5” and 220 pounds, he looks like he was built in a lab to play quarterback. Give him a clean pocket and he’s surgical. Which, of course, means the offensive line is the biggest “if” of the season. If they can give Clark clean pockets and time to throw, this offense can put up pinball machine numbers.

Backing him up is Eastern Michigan transfer Drew Viotto, who gives the QB room some depth if things go sideways.

New Toys in the Passing Game

The Bears lost leading receiver Hunter Woods, but they’ve reloaded the arsenal. Nebraska transfer Isaiah McMorris brings quickness and crisp routes, while Ole Miss transfer Dillon Hipp is a versatile tight end who can both block and stretch the field.

Returning receivers Jmariyae Robinson and James BlackStrain are steady WR2 and WR3 options — last year they combined for 62 catches and 953 yards. Clark will have no shortage of capable targets in the pass game.

Backfield Questions & O-Line Woes

The Bears lost both of their top backs — Jacardia Wright (just waived by Seahawks) and Jayden Becks (transferred to North Texas). Together they piled up 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024.

Enter the new duo: Shomari Lawrence (FIU transfer), a downhill bruiser, and Josh Joyner (Washington State transfer), a smaller, pass-catching back who can add some juice. The talent and versatility is there — but whether the line can open holes is another story.

And let’s be real: the offensive line was average at best last season. Center Cash Hudson (Phil Steele Freshman All-America Team, All-MVFC, and in my opinion All-American Name) will need to be the anchor if this offense is going to fire on all cylinders.

Defense: Holes to Fill

If the Bears are going bowling in their first C-USA season, the defense has to figure things out — fast. Last year, they were good at rushing the passer, but gave up way too many big plays.

The portal didn’t do them any favors defensively. Linebackers Michael Teason (now at TCU) and Dallas Winner-Johnson (at Tulane, great name as well) — the team’s No. 2 and 3 tacklers — both left. That’s a brutal hit.

But Beard landed a monster in the portal: Jalen Brooks from Campbell/UNC. All the guy did in 2024 was rack up 118 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4 sacks, and a pick. That’s a grown-man linebacker addition.

Up front, the Bears added DJ Wesolak (Oregon State transfer) and return Gilles Tchio and Mitchell Toney to keep pressure on opposing QBs. The secondary? It was bad last year, it got gutted in the portal, and even with new transfers, it’s still the biggest question mark on this team.

Special Teams & The C-USA Challenge

Special teams will look a little different — field goals by Obeid, kickoffs by McDonald, and punts by Frédérique. If the defense struggles, field position is going to make or break a lot of games.

As for Conference USA: Liberty is the standard, no question. Preseason projections and the Bowl Confidence Index have Missouri State near the bottom, but I’m not buying that. This team has too much offensive firepower to be written off in a wide-open C-USA.

Nationally, FOX Sports’ RJ Young put Missouri State at #123 in his “Ultimate 136” rankings, naming Clark and his receivers as legit difference-makers. For a program just making the FBS jump, that’s not nothing.

Final Thoughts

So here’s where I land: The Bears aren’t winning the conference, but they aren’t the pushover a lot of polls have them slotted as either. With Jacob Clark slinging it, new weapons in the passing game, and Brooks patrolling the middle of the defense, this team is dangerous.

But if the O-line doesn’t step up and the secondary can’t figure it out? Well, grab some popcorn, because Clark might have to win some 48-45 shootouts just to keep things interesting.

Either way, Missouri State is walking into C-USA with something to prove.

See you next week!