Missouri enters the season ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press preseason poll, a placement that frames a demanding schedule and raised local expectations.
The Tigers also drew the 25th spot in the coaches poll and finished with 117 points in the AP voting, narrowly edging Clemson’s 112 points as the first team out of the top 25, according to Jefferson City News Tribune.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri is ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 and also holds the 25th spot in the coaches poll.
- The Tigers finished the AP preseason voting with 117 points, narrowly ahead of Clemson, which finished with 112 points as the first team out of the top 25.
- Ohio State leads the preseason ballot with 40 first-place votes while Oregon drew 14, and nine SEC programs are ranked to begin the season.
- Missouri’s regular-season slate includes five matchups against teams currently in the AP top 10, creating a high-leverage schedule for conference positioning and playoff odds.
Missouri football AP Top 25 preseason context
The preseason AP poll offers a snapshot of voter expectations and positions Missouri on the national radar entering the season.
Ohio State sits atop the poll with 40 first-place votes out of 69 while Oregon is second with 14 first-place votes, showing where voters place the early national favorites.
Nine Southeastern Conference teams are ranked to open the season, which highlights the depth of competition Missouri will face in league play.
What the No. 25 ranking means for Missouri roster and recruiting
A No. 25 preseason ranking recognizes returning contributors while also magnifying roster limitations when the schedule reaches its toughest tests.
Local coverage has highlighted returning production and identified areas where Missouri’s depth could be tested versus deeper league opponents.
For recruiting, beginning the season ranked provides a tangible selling point for prospects that the program is viewed nationally, though on-field results will ultimately validate that projection.
Preseason poll point comparison
| Team | AP poll detail |
|---|---|
| Missouri | 117 points; ranked No. 25 in the AP preseason poll |
| Clemson | 112 points; identified as the first team out of the top 25 |
| Ohio State | Top-ranked team in the preseason poll with 40 first-place votes |
| Oregon | Second in the preseason poll with 14 first-place votes |
SEC stakes and Missouri College Football Playoff path
Missouri’s placement at No. 25 carries immediate SEC implications because the Tigers face five opponents currently ranked in the top 10, a stretch that will significantly influence conference standings and any hope for a CFP push.
The schedule includes Oct. 10 at home vs. No.
8 Texas A&M, Oct. 17 at No. 9 Mississippi, Nov.
7 at home vs. No. 5 Texas, Nov.
14 at No. 3 Georgia and Nov. 28 at home vs.
No. 10 Oklahoma, dates that are effectively season-defining.
With nearly half of the SEC starting the season ranked, Missouri’s margin for error is slim and wins in high-profile conference matchups would reshape the Tigers’ recruiting pitch and the national narrative around the program.
Photo credit Reese Strickland/Imagn Images
Reporting for this update was informed by local coverage and the AP preseason poll released to voters.
