In my eyes, swing games are the most important part of any team’s college football season. At the end of the day, nearly every program has a handful of results that end up being the difference in having a successful or disappointing season.

For Missouri, swing games are ever-prevalent, especially in the SEC East. Eliah Drinkwitz has done well to tread water in pick ’em-style games, but his Tigers are in need of a breakthrough season. Thus, more of these swing games must go in favor of Mizzou in 2023.

5. Vs. Florida

Nov. 18 | Columbia, Mo.

2022 Result: Florida 24, Missouri 17

Past 10 Meetings: Tied, 5-5

Missouri has done well to contend with the Gators since joining the SEC, and in a year in which Florida has more questions than answers, the Tigers have to take advantage. With a trip to Fayetteville looming the next week, this will be a winnable game that can give Mizzou some momentum heading into the Battle Line Rivalry.

However, although Florida does have plenty of holes on its roster, the talent in Gainesville is still comparable with most other SEC teams. The Gators will be no pushover, especially in a late-season setting in which they might still be fighting for a bowl berth. Much like the past 2 meetings, which each ended in a single-score victory for the home team, this should be a close one.

4. @ Kentucky

Oct. 14 | Lexington, Ky.

2022 Result: Kentucky 21, Missouri 17

Past 10 Meetings: Kentucky 7-3

If any team has had Missouri’s number since the Tigers joined the SEC, it’s Kentucky. Whether it be from a roughing the punter call that inspired rule changes or a buzzer-beating touchdown, the Wildcats have an edge over Mizzou. Since 2015, the Tigers have beaten UK only once (’20).

In 2023, these teams appear to be on a collision course for a close game yet again. Kentucky brought in N.C. State transfer Devin Leary to replace Will Levis and brought back offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who spearheaded a dynamic 2021 offensive attack for the ‘Cats. There are others voids to fill, but Mark Stoops has recruited at a high-enough level to where he can reload at most spots this offseason.

Missouri will enter this midseason clash fresh off a home date with LSU, while Kentucky will have taken on Georgia in Athens the previous week. Thus, both teams will likely still be feeling the bumps and bruises from those matchups, and both will be desperate for a win to right the ship.

3. @ Arkansas

Nov. 24 (Friday) | Fayetteville, Ar.

2022 Result: Missouri 29, Arkansas 27

Past 10 Meetings: Missouri 8-2

The Battle Line Rivalry features plenty of ill will between these bordering states, and every year it seems that both teams have a lot to play for when these squads meet up on Black Friday. 2023 should be no different, and it could be the most highly anticipated Battle Line game since the 2008 Cotton Bowl clash.

The Razorbacks feature 1 of the best backfield tandems in the country, as quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders are back to terrorize opposing defenses yet again. If they both stay healthy, Arkansas has a real chance to take some people by surprise in the SEC West. On the flip side, 2 straight wins over the Razorbacks would be a statement in the rivalry series for Mizzou.

2. Vs. Kansas State

Sept. 16 | Columbia, Mo.

2022 Result: Kansas State 40, Missouri 12

Past 10 Meetings: Tied, 5-5

On a rainy September morning in Manhattan, Kansas, last year, Missouri was embarrassed on the field. Adrian Martinez and Deuce Vaughn ran wild, while the Tigers’ offense could not stop shooting itself in the foot. In the end, Mizzou took a gut punch that it could not recover from until later in the season.

This time around, the likes of Vaughn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah have left for the NFL. Chris Klieman has proven time and time again that he can reload at any program he coaches, but the Wildcats figure to take at least a slight step back this season. In a home environment with revenge on the line, Mizzou has to take advantage. If the Tigers don’t, then the doubts of the fan base will scream louder than ever, and the 2023 season will take a massive hit as it just gets started.

1. Vs. South Carolina

Oct. 21 | Columbia, Mo.

2022 Result: Missouri 23, No. 25 South Carolina 10

Past 10 Meetings: Missouri 6-4

On the flip side of Kentucky, if there is any team that Missouri has had the number of, it has been South Carolina. The Tigers have beaten the Gamecocks on 4 straight occasions, and last year’s upset win in the other Columbia simultaneously turned around Mizzou’s season and put an exclamation point on the Tigers’ recent dominance over USC.

Spencer Rattler and Co. are receiving plenty of hype this season, and they will want nothing more than to exact revenge on the team that handed them arguably their worst loss of the season in ’22. Still, with how Mizzou has handled the Gamecocks and with this game being at home, this is the most pivotal swing game on the docket. A loss to South Carolina would set up a tough final stretch of games that features Georgia (road), Tennessee (home), Florida (home) and Arkansas (road). One last win before that gauntlet would go a long way.