*EDITORS NOTE: The win-loss record and predictions in this article are the opinion of the columnist and do not reflect the views of KCOU.fm’s editorial view nor KCOU as a whole. KCOU 88.1 FM remains nonpartisan to Missouri athletics.*
By Cole Tussing
Missouri Tigers @ Wyoming Cowboys (8/31)
War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY
All-Time Series: 1-0 series, MIZ won
This will be the second all-time matchup against these two teams. The Cowboys came into Faurot last season, and lost 40-13, under a great showing from Missouri’s then-senior Drew Lock. The quarterback matchup once again, in the favor of the Tigers. Kelly Bryant, recent transfer from Clemson, will be the clear leader of the Dooley-offense. Though being in the ACC, Bryant hasn’t seen much Mountain-West competition, but that shouldn’t phase him too much. With the exception of a Big 10 team like Purdue, Mizzou is typically dominant in the non-conference.
Prediction: Missouri (47) v Wyoming (21)
 
Missouri Tigers v West Virginia Mountaineers (9/7) (HOME OPENER)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
All-Time Series: 3-3 series, WV won last in 2016
This matchup is intriguing for multiple reasons. First, this is the home opener for this Mizzou squad, which will have some implications. Of course, Bryant will play a factor when it comes to attendance, but also the multi-million South endzone construction will be complete at this point. There’s a solid chance this game could be near-sold out, similar to when the Men’s basketball team suited up facing Iowa State when top-recruit Michael Porter Jr. committed to stay in Columbia. Without Will Grier due to the NFL draft, the Mountaineers are at a disadvantage. This game will be close, but with SEC play and an electric crowd making noise all game long, this will prove to be too much for West Virginia.
Prediction: Missouri (38) v West Virginia (28)
 
Missouri Tigers v Southeast Missouri RedHawks (9/14)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
All-Time Series: First meeting
As stated before, Missouri is pretty dominant in the non-conference play, especially at home. Though nothing is guaranteed, if the Tigers are able to pick up a win against West Virginia, all that momentum will carry through in this one. This win is necessary because next week starts conference play.
Prediction: Missouri (35) v Southeast Missouri (10)
 
Missouri Tigers v South Carolina Gamecocks (9/21)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
All-Time Series: 4-5 Series favor of SC, MIZ currently on a 3-game losing streak
The last time Kelly Bryant played South Carolina was in Charleston his junior year. He threw for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the Tigers end, the two previous matchups, similar to Kentucky (we’ll get to that later) are ones that Odom and the rest of the fanbase have strong opinions about. South Carolina came in to Faurot and Mizzou showed promise. SEC Nation was featured, so the crowd was electric and the defense actually tackled someone, something that wasn’t featured against Missouri State. Mizzou was holding a 10-0 lead going into the second quarter, and all the momentum was in their favor. But, a kickoff return by Samuel and a costly turnover resulted in a 14-point turnaround in a matter of one minute. Last season Mizzou lost on a last-second field goal. It’s going to be a close one, but I think after losing the last two, this is the turnaround game.
Prediction: Missouri (38) v South Carolina (35)
 
Missouri Tigers v Troy Trojans (10/5)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
All-Time Series: 2-1 Series, MIZ won last matchup in 2005
If my predictions thus far are correct, this undefeated Mizzou team should be able to take care of business against the Trojans. It is true, these teams haven’t played in over a decade, but quality wins against West Virginia, and South Carolina, will be the overlying factor. I anticipate this game will be close at halftime, similar to Memphis on Homecoming last season, but the Tigers will clean some things up and get another win on the board.
Prediction: Missouri (40) v Troy (21)
 
Missouri Tigers v Ole Miss Rebels (10/12) (HOMECOMING)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
All-Time Series: 6-1 favor of MIZ, won last 5
Quoting what I said on Southeast Missouri and last week vs Troy, nothing is guaranteed for a Missouri team. This is especially true when considering it’s a conference game. I think Mizzou is going to take the Rebels lightly, whether it’s due to the all-time series record or relevance, and Ole Miss is going to take advantage. The Rebels will be leading by double digits at half, but then reality will kick in, and Mizzou is able to muster up a comeback.
Prediction: Missouri (28) v Ole Miss (17)
 
Missouri Tigers @ Vanderbilt Commodores (10/19)
Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, TN
All-Time Series: 7-3 favor of MIZ, won last 3
The last time Mizzou came into Vanderbilt, they took care of business on both sides of the ball. Currently Mizzou is on a 3-game win streak in the series, soon it will be 4.
Prediction: Missouri (35) v Vanderbilt (17)
 
Missouri Tigers @ Kentucky Wildcats (10/26)
Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
All-Time Series: 3-6 favor of UK, MIZ had lost last 4 meetings
Out of all the teams Mizzou plays in the SEC, Kentucky is the team that has gained a small rivalry. Mizzou went into Kroger Field, 2 seasons ago, and lost in the final quarter. There were some calls up in the air, but ultimately lost the game. Last season is one that will haunt the program for years. An unfortunate interference call resulted in another “5^thdown” play. This would’ve been the first ranked win of the Odom era, but the team ended up going on the road to beat Florida in the Swamp to accomplish the feat. It’s going to be a dogfight from whistle to whistle, and it will come down to the very minute details.
Prediction: Missouri (28) v Kentucky (25) (OT)
 
Missouri Tigers @ Georgia Bulldogs (11/9)
Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
All-Time Series: 1-7 favor of UGA, MIZ lost last 5
This is the game. If games like Kentucky have gone the way I’m predicting, Mizzou is still undefeated and will probably have a top-10 ranking. Last time in Athens, Mizzou kept it close, ended up being quite the shootout in the first half, then Georgia’s running core of Chubb/Michel dominated and proved why the Bulldogs are a top-tier team in the country. If Mizzou is still undefeated, I think the streak will come to an end here. They will play with a ton of heart, but Georgia has had their number the past few years. The last time Mizzou took down Georgia was 2013, when James Franklin was at the helm.
Prediction: Missouri (21) v Georgia (35)
 
Missouri Tigers v Florida Gators (11/16)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
All-Time Series: 5-3 favor of MIZ, won last 2
If the Tigers are able to stay undefeated, they have a very solid chance against the Gators. The past two matchups, Mizzou has controlled the Gators. The quarterback situation is always up in-the-air for Florida, ever since Tebow departed. One week they’ll look very solid, and the next he will make a few costly mistakes. This game is also being played in Columbia, so if the season is going the way many fans anticipate, this will be quite the turnout.
Prediction: Missouri (43) v Florida (28)
 
Missouri Tigers v Tennessee Volunteers (11/23) (SENIOR NIGHT/MILITARY APPRECIATION)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
All-Time Series: 5-2 favor of MIZ, won last 2
Not only has Mizzou won the last two matchups, but it’s been by the exact same score (40-17). I don’t think the final score will be three in a row, but anything’s possible. As a whole, Mizzou is a program trying to rise again and prove themselves, whereas the Volunteers seem like they are still trying to find an identity.
Prediction: Missouri (37) v Tennessee (20)
 
Missouri Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks (11/30) (BATTLE LINE RIVALRY)
War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR
All-Time Series: 7-3 favor of MIZ, won last 3
The infamous Battle Line Rivalry game. With the Bryant announcement, this game means a lot more to both programs. Arkansas was also a favorite in the Bryant transfer sweepstakes, due to family connections with the training staff. Not only will Bryant be playing the Razorbacks in a rivalry game with hardware involved, but having the game be in Little Rock adds more engagement. This is also a homecoming game for the transfer wideout, Jonathan Nance, who led the Razorbacks in receptions last year. The last 3 years the Tigers have shown they can hold their own against Arkansas.
Prediction: Missouri (45) v Arkansas (21)
Final Record 11-1 (7-1)
This record could grant the Tigers the SEC championship game, facing off probable-Alabama; it all depends on how the Bulldogs of Georgia perform throughout the year and if the postseason ban gets lifted by the NCAA. College Football Playoff may be a stretch, but this is the year of Mizzou Football.
Edited by Emma Moloney | [email protected]