Mizzou AD releases statement after Illini cancel series, replace Tigers with Notre Dame
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The Illinois Fighting Illini and Missouri Tigers were set to play a home-and-home series in 2027 and 2028. Then, on Tuesday, the Fighting Illini pulled the plug.
Instead of Mizzou, Illinois will now play Notre Dame each of the next two years. And the Tigers, rightfully, are feeling miffed. Shortly after the news broke, Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch released a statement on the Fighting Illini’s decision.
“We are disappointed by Illinois’ decision to withdraw from multiple future football games, including a home game for Mizzou in 2027,” Veatch said. “We are exploring all available options to address this matter.”
The Tigers’ first potential call to fill their schedule void theoretically would have been Purdue, who Notre Dame was set to face before Illinois came along. The Boilermakers acted quickly, though, and added the West Virginia Mountaineers to their 2027 slate.
When college football transitions to a 24-team playoff in 2027-28, Power 4 teams will be required to play 10 games against fellow Power 4 schools.
Missouri has nine SEC games on the 2027 schedule, but now needs to find a Power 4 opponent to meet the 10-game threshold. This means the Tigers will have to cut or reschedule games with Illinois State, San Diego State or Florida Atlantic.
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