The Missouri Tigers enjoyed their best season in a decade in 2023 by going 11-2, winning the Cotton Bowl, and finishing the year ranked No. 8 in the country. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

Shortly after Michigan claimed the 2023 College Football Playoff national championship with a 34-13 win over Washington, the Associated Press released its final poll of the season.

As expected, Michigan (15-0) and Washington (14-1) were Nos. 1 and 2, but there were some surprises in the final Top 25 rankings of the season.

Texas, which finished 12-2 and lost to Washington in the Sugar Bowl, was No. 3. Georgia (13-1), which didn’t make the CFP semifinals and didn’t win the SEC either, was No. 4, while SEC champion Alabama (12-2), which lost to Michigan in the Rose but got there by defeating Georgia in the SEC title game, was No. 5.

Oregon (12-2) and Florida State (13-1) tied for No. 6.

The University of Missouri, which completed its best season since 2014 by winning the Cotton Bowl and finishing the year 11-2, was ranked No. 8, ahead of Ole Miss (No. 9) and Ohio State, the team Mizzou beat in the Cotton Bowl, (No. 10).

For the Tigers, it was their best finish since landing at No. 5 in 2013, when Mizzou went 12-2, won the SEC East Division championship, and beat Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Missouri’s strong finish also helped give the SEC end the year with four teams in the Top 10.

Overall, there were six SEC teams in the Top 25, and with Texas and Oklahoma joining the league next season, there were eight teams that will play in the SEC in 2024 in the final national poll.

ESPN released its “Way Too Early 2024 Preseason Top 25” and had Mizzou ranked No. 8. The Tigers will lose a number a players to the NFL, including defensive standouts CB Kris Abrams-Draine and DL Darius Robinson, and SEC rushing champion Cody Schrader, but have already added top transfers OT Cayden Green, LB Corey Flagg, and CB Toriano Pride, along with high school signees DE Williams Nwaneri and WR Courtney Crutchfield.

ESPN’s 2024 outlook read: After the Tigers went 6-7 in 2022, coach Eli Drinkwitz seemed to be on the hot seat entering 2023. Not anymore. Missouri’s patience was rewarded with an 11-win season and a victory over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

With quarterback Brady Cook and receiver Luther Burden III returning, the Tigers figure to be a legitimate CFP contender in 2024. They’ll have to replace some key starters on defense — Harper was a Butkus Award finalist and Abrams-Draine and Rakestraw were two of the best cornerbacks in the SEC.

The Tigers will also lose Schrader, the leading rusher in the FBS with 125.2 yards per game. Carroll ran for 1,350 yards with 13 touchdowns at Georgia State last year.

Pride (Clemson), Smith (Georgia) and McClellan (Florida) were key pickups through the portal as well. Nwaneri was the No. 1 defensive end prospect in the country, according to ESPN recruiting. Losing defensive coordinator Blake Baker to LSU hurts.

Final AP Top 25 NCAA Football Poll

1. Michigan (61)15-0
2. Washington14-1
3. Texas12-2
4. Georgia13-1
5. Alabama12-2
6t Oregon12-2
6t Florida St.13-1
8. Missouri11-2
9. Ole Miss11-2
10. Ohio State11-2
11. Arizona10-3
12. LSU10-3
13. Penn State10-3
14. Notre Dame10-3
15. Oklahoma10-3
16. Oklahoma State10-4
17. Tennessee9-4
18. Kansas State9-4
19. Louisville10-4
20. Clemson9-4
21. NC State9-4
22. SMU11-3
23. Kansas9-4
24. Iowa10-4
25. Liberty13-1

2024 Missouri Tigers Football Schedule

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
August 31, 2024 (Saturday)TBAHomeMurray StateFaurot Field
September 7, 2024 (Saturday)TBAHomeBuffaloFaurot Field
September 14, 2024 (Saturday)TBAHomeBoston CollegeFaurot Field
September 21, 2024 (Saturday)TBAHomeVanderbiltFaurot Field
October 5, 2024 (Saturday)TBAAwayTexas A&MCollege Station, Texas
October 12, 2024 (Saturday)TBAAwayUMassAmherst, Mass.
October 19, 2024 (Saturday)TBAHomeAuburnFaurot Field
October 26, 2024 (Saturday)TBAAwayAlabamaTuscaloosa, Ala.
November 9, 2024 (Saturday)TBAHomeOklahomaFaurot Field
November 16, 2024 (Saturday)TBAAwaySouth CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
November 23, 2024 (Saturday)TBAAwayMississippi StateStarkville, Miss.
November 30, 2024 (Saturday)TBAHomeArkansasFaurot Field