After Indiana captured its first national championship on Monday night, the conversation quickly shifted to who might be next. And while Missouri isn’t exactly topping the list of favorites, Vegas is clearly intrigued by what Eli Drinkwitz and his staff are building in Columbia.
FanDuel currently has Missouri listed at +8000 to win the 2026 national title-good for 20th-best odds in the country. That puts the Tigers just behind Auburn and tied with Florida, a respectable position considering the amount of roster turnover they’ve experienced this offseason.
Let’s be clear: Missouri isn’t being pegged as a title contender just yet. But sitting at No. 20 in the odds after losing a wave of talent? That’s a signal of confidence-both in the Tigers’ ability to reload and in their aggressive approach to the transfer portal.
Missouri has been one of the most active programs in the country when it comes to bringing in new talent. The Tigers have added 26 transfers so far, with the possibility of more to come-including the potential addition of Ole Miss wideout Cayden Lee. According to 247Sports, that haul ranks 23rd nationally among transfer classes, and it’s easy to see why: this is a team trying to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving college football landscape.
Of course, the biggest question-and perhaps the biggest swing factor for Missouri’s 2026 season-is new quarterback Austin Simmons. The Ole Miss transfer is a high-upside player with a cannon for an arm, but he comes with some baggage: limited experience and a history of injuries.
If Simmons can stay healthy and find his rhythm, Missouri’s offense could take a significant step forward. If not, the Tigers may be looking at another year of growing pains.
Still, there are reasons for optimism. Star running back Ahmad Hardy is back, giving the offense a proven playmaker to lean on. And while an 8-5 finish capped by a Gator Bowl loss isn’t the kind of season Missouri fans dream about, it sets a foundation to build from-especially with this infusion of new talent.
No one’s penciling the Tigers into the College Football Playoff just yet. But a top-25 finish and a quality bowl game?
That’s well within reach. And based on the betting lines, Vegas seems to agree: Missouri might not be a juggernaut, but they’re not flying under the radar anymore either.