The new College Football Playoff rules are already starting to reshape schedules, and Missouri is one SEC team that may have to make a move before 2027.
Beginning in 2027, Power 4 programs will need to play at least 10 Power 4 opponents during the regular season to be eligible for the CFP. That change arrives alongside the bigger overhaul to the playoff itself, including the elimination of conference championship games and the expansion to twice as many teams.
Most SEC programs are in good shape because of the league’s nine-game schedule and the way many schools already line up tough nonconference games. Missouri, though, is the exception CBS Sports analyst Robby Kalland pointed to.
As things stand, the Tigers are scheduled to face Illinois State, San Diego State and FAU next season in addition to their nine SEC games. That leaves Eli Drinkwitz’s team short of the 10-game Power 4 mark, which means one of those Group of 6 opponents would have to come off the schedule and be replaced by a Power 4 foe.
There is at least some flexibility in the market, since other Power 4 schools will also be looking for new opponents. But the pool of available options includes Indiana, Oregon, USC, Texas Tech, Nebraska and TCU, which makes the search more complicated.
Unless Missouri can find a team that already has 10 Power 4 games lined up and is willing to add the Tigers, the schedule fix could end up being a brutal one. In that case, Missouri would likely have to take on a legitimate national title contender to satisfy the new requirement.
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Mizzou Gets One Huge Georgia Question And One Brutal Injury Blow
Missouri got one encouraging update and one painful setback coming out of the Texas game, with receiver Cayden Lee cleared to keep going after a knee injury and edge rusher Langden Kitchen ruled out for the rest of the season. Eli Drinkwitz said Lees knee has no structural damage, which at least keeps one piece of the offense intact as the Tigers move deeper into the stretch run.
Kitchens loss lands harder because he was part of the starting edge group and now leaves Missouri to reshuffle a defense that already has to manage the week-to-week grind of the SEC. On the other side of this matchup, Georgia is carrying its own injury uncertainty with two players on the report, including one questionable and another already done for the year, so both teams are walking into this one with more health questions than they would like. [Read more 🡒]
Missouri Faces A Brutal Test At No. 1 Georgia
Missouri is walking into one of the toughest spots on its schedule with a trip to face No. 1 Georgia, a team that has looked every bit the part of a national contender on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs have paired a productive offense with one of the stingiest defenses in college football, and they also bring a long history of success in this series into Saturdays matchup.
Georgias edge has shown up in the details, from its turnover margin to the way it has limited opponents defensively, even while working through some injuries. Gunner Stockton has helped steady the offense, and linebacker Chris Cole gives the Bulldogs another impact presence on defense, leaving Missouri with a major challenge and plenty to solve if it wants to keep this one competitive. [Read more 🡒]
Missouris Unbeaten Start Faces Its First Real Home Test
Missouris women have opened the regular season 3-0, and the early returns have given Kellie Harper plenty to like. The Tigers are averaging 90.0 points while allowing 65.7, and Harper has pointed to cleaner offensive execution and better ball movement since the close game against Howard as signs the group is settling in.
Now comes the first real chance to see how that start holds up at home. UT Martin and Lindenwood are next on the schedule, and both bring enough recent form and stylistic quirks to make these games more than routine tuneups, especially for a Missouri team trying to keep building rhythm while protecting its unbeaten record. [Read more 🡒]