Kansas Football 2026 Opponent Preview: Missouri

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 20: Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz of the Missouri Tigers speaks at the SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a Week 1 matchup with LIU, the Jayhawks welcome in Missouri on a Friday night.

2026 Missouri Football at a Glance

Name: Missouri Tigers
Stadium: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium (Cap. 62,621)
Head Coach: Eli Drinkwitz
Offensive Coordinator: Kirby Moore
Defensive Coordinator: Corey Batoon
2025: 8-5, 4-4 in SEC (Loss in Gator Bowl)

2025 Missouri Season-In-Review

Key Returners: Ahmad Hardy, RB; Jamal Roberts, RB; Donovan Olugbode, WR; Cayden Green, OL; Dominick Giudice, OL; Curtis Peagler, OL; Brett Norfleet, TE; Nicholas Rodriguez, LB; Blake Craig, K
Transfer Additions: Austin Simmons, QB; Cayden Lee, WR; Caleb Goodie, WR; Luke Work, OL; Josh Atkins, OL; Chris Graves Jr., Kamauryn Morgan, DE; Kensley Louidor-Faustin, DB; DB; Elijah Dotson, DB; Bobby Washington Jr., LB; CJ May, DE; Robert Woodyard Jr., LB; Sione Laulea, DB
Incoming Class
Key Losses: Beau Pribula, QB; James Madison II, WR; Joshua Manning, WR; Henry Fenuku, OL; Johnny Williams IV, OL; Jayven Richrdson, OL; Nate Johnson, DE; Javion Hilson, DE; Mark Manfred III, DB; Shamar McNeil, DB; Marvin Burks Jr., DB

Strengths

Ahmad Hardy is recovering well and this gives Missouri one of the best running backs in the SEC back. Hardy rushed for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season with the Tigers.

What will help Hardy is the arrival of Austin Simmons. He will take over under center for Beau Pribula, who is now with Virginia. Along with the elite run game, the Tigers bring in two strong receivers in Cayden Lee, who has over 100 career catchers, and Caleb Goodie.

The Tiger defense was among the best in the nation last season. Missouri was able to get in the backfield, averaging nearly three sacks per game. The defense also finished 13th in the country in tackles for loss. There will be some new faces but the Tigers should boast an elite group once again.

Weaknesses

Pribula was serviceable last season but the Tiger offense struggled to push the ball down the field. That is the hope of bringing in Simmons.

The offense struggled most against good competition when it turned the ball over. Can the Jayhawks force turnovers in this game? That is yet to be seen but that will be the goal to slow down the offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers need to insert new faces and hope that it gels right away. This is a group that did not take the ball away much as well.

Kansas Football Schedule

Sept. 4: vs. Long Island University
Sept. 11: vs. Missouri
Sept. 19: vs. Arizona State
Oct. 3: vs. Middle Tennessee
Oct. 10: at Utah
Oct. 17: at Kansas State
Oct. 24: vs. Baylor
Oct. 31: at TCU
Nov. 7: vs. UCF
Nov. 14: at West Virginia
Nov. 21: vs. BYU
Nov. 28: at Oklahoma State

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