Missouri will kick off the regular on Aug. 31 with a matchup vs. visiting South Dakota. The Tigers will aim for a winning record this season after finishing with a 6-7 mark in 2022 despite signing the nation’s No. 15 recruiting class.

Unsurprisingly, the ESPN FPI (Football Power Index) projects Missouri with a 95 percent chance of victory.

Kirby Moore takes over as the new offensive coordinator for head coach Eli Drinkwitz. The Tigers ranked 86th nationally last season in points (24.8), so Moore will strive to reactivate the stagnant offense with team captain Brady Cook under center. The junior flashed potential last season with 2,739 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.

Receiver Luther Burden III is an explosive target who amassed 45 receptions and 6 touchdowns last season as a freshman. Transfer wide receivers Theo Wease Jr. and Dannis Jackson will also help offset the loss of top receiver Dominic Lovett moving on to defending national champion Georgia.

Missouri’s strength last season was on defense. The Tigers return 8 starters from a unit which ranked No. 15 nationally and runner-up in the SEC in tackles for loss. Among those include linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, defensive linemen Darius Robinson and Kristian Williams, cornerbacks Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine and nickel Daylan Carnell.

FCS program South Dakota regressed last season with a 3-8 record after going 7-5 in 2021. The Coyotes only scored over 30 points once last season.

Missouri vs. South Dakota is slated to kick off at 8 p.m. (EST) and will be televised on SEC Network.