Missouri opens its season Thursday night against Arkansas Pine Bluff, and the matchup looks exactly like what you’d expect from a major program lining up an FCS opponent.
The Tigers and Golden Lions meet on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with kickoff set for 7:00 PM CT. The game will air on SEC Network and stream on WatchESPN. Fans can also follow along on Twitter at @MizzouFootball and on Facebook at MizzouFootballShowMe.
Missouri comes in as a massive favorite. FanDuel had the Tigers listed as a 53.5-point favorite over Arkansas Pine Bluff, with the over-under set at 61.5 as of last evening.
That number fits the pattern. Missouri has regularly handled FCS opponents, and the source notes that 2005 was the last time, outside of a COVID year, that Mizzou did not play an FCS school. It also says this is the first time Missouri will face a SWAC opponent in football, at least based on a review of schedules going back to the late 70s.
Arkansas Pine Bluff’s recent results against Power Five teams make the task even stiffer. Last year the Golden Lions lost to Texas Tech 67-7.
Two years ago they were beaten by Arkansas 70-0. Three years ago they fell to Tulsa 42-7.
The year before that, Oklahoma State won 63-7.
The Week 1 betting board around the country only underscores how lopsided Missouri’s line is. Arkansas Pine Bluff at Missouri is listed at 7:00 PM CT on Thursday, with Missouri -54.5 and a 60.5 total in the broader game-day listing.
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