Missouri’s planned series with Illinois is off, and the Tigers are already dealing with the fallout.
The Fighting Illini had been scheduled to meet Mizzou in a home-and-home set for 2027 and 2028, but on Tuesday Illinois backed out and swapped in Notre Dame for those two seasons instead. That left Missouri without one of its future nonconference games and prompted a response from athletic director Laird Veatch.
“We are disappointed by Illinois’ decision to withdraw from multiple future football games, including a home game for Mizzou in 2027,” Veatch said. “We are exploring all available options to address this matter.”
Illinois has opted to play Notre Dame instead of #Mizzou in the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
MU AD Laird Veatch: “We are disappointed by Illinois' decision to withdraw from multiple future football games, including a home game for Mizzou in 2027. We are exploring all available…
- Eli Hoff (@byEliHoff) November 3, 2026
Missouri’s first path to replacing the lost game would have been Purdue, since Notre Dame had been lined up to face the Boilermakers before Illinois entered the picture. But Purdue moved fast and added West Virginia to its 2027 schedule, closing off that option.
The timing makes the situation even more complicated for the Tigers. When college football shifts to a 24-team playoff in 2027-28, Power 4 programs will have to play 10 games against other Power 4 teams. Missouri already has nine SEC games on its 2027 schedule, so it now needs another Power 4 opponent to get to that required 10-game mark.
That means the Tigers will have to cut or reshuffle games with Illinois State, San Diego State or Florida Atlantic.
In Other News...
Mizzou Suddenly Has A Future Schedule Problem Fans Wont Like
A familiar border rivalry just took a hit on Missouris future calendar. Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said the Illini will drop the first two games of their series with Mizzou, the matchups originally set for 2027 and 2028, and instead fill those dates with games against Notre Dame. For Missouri, it is another reminder that even long-planned nonconference arrangements can shift quickly when bigger scheduling opportunities come along.
Athletic director Laird Veatch said the university is disappointed and is looking at its options after the cancellations. The series still has games listed for 2029, 2032, 2033 and 2034, but those dates now carry some uncertainty as Missouri waits to see whether the rest of the matchup survives intact. [Read more 🡒]
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On the other side, Cleveland State arrives under head coach Rob Summers ready to start its season without the benefit of a public exhibition game. That adds a layer of uncertainty to a night that already has a personal edge for Gates, who will be seeing familiar colors from the opposite sideline. For Missouri, it is an opening-night test with a little more story attached than usual, and one that should tell plenty about where this group stands right away. [Read more 🡒]
Florida States Coaching Search Just Took A Notable Turn
Florida States coaching search has already started to ripple beyond Tallahassee, and Missouri fans have a familiar name in the conversation. Eli Drinkwitz was asked about the opening after the Seminoles moved on from Mike Norvell, and he quickly shut down any notion that he was angling for the job, keeping the focus on Missouris immediate business.
That business is a big one, with Texas next on the schedule and no shortage of attention around Drinkwitz as the coaching carousel spins. Norvells exit came after seven seasons and a 41-39 record, including only 10 wins over the past three years, but for Missouri the more relevant detail is that its head coach is trying to keep the noise out of the building while the seasons next test looms. [Read more 🡒]