Missouri

Missouri football has deep roots in the old Big Eight and Big 12, where the Tigers developed rivalries with Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and others. Don Faurot is one of the central figures in program history, both as a coach and as an innovator associated with the split-T offense. Faurot Field and the Rock M remain visible symbols of Mizzou football identity.

Dan Devine elevated Missouri in the mid-twentieth century, producing strong teams and national respect. The Tigers were often a rugged, difficult opponent in a league dominated by Oklahoma and Nebraska, and their best seasons showed that Missouri could compete with the sport’s biggest powers. The Border War with Kansas gave the program one of college football’s most historically charged rivalries.

The 2007 season under Gary Pinkel brought Missouri back to the national spotlight. Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman, and a high-powered offense helped the Tigers reach No. 1 in the BCS standings before the Big 12 Championship Game. Pinkel’s tenure also produced stability, player development, and a modern identity that carried Missouri into its SEC move.

Many expected Missouri to struggle in the SEC, but the Tigers quickly won SEC East titles in 2013 and 2014, proving they could adapt. Mizzou’s history is often overlooked because it lacks the championship volume of some neighbors, but it is rich in innovation, rivalry, and periodic national relevance. The program’s best moments come when it turns underestimation into a weapon.