The move from the Big 12 to the SEC proved difficult for Missouri, as the Tigers went from 8-5 (5-4) in 2011 to 5-7 (2-6) in 2012. With a year of experience under their belt, they should be able to put up a better record in 2013. There are still plenty of tough dates on the schedule, but if Mizzou can win the toss-ups, it will be just fine.
Missouri football schedule 2013: Dates, toughest opponents and more
The Tigers are entering their sophomore SEC campaign. Will it be better than their first?
Joe Robbins
2013 Missouri schedule
Projections from Football Outsiders’ 2013 college football almanac.
Indiana could be one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten, but the Sept. 21 game in Bloomington is certainly winnable, and if Missouri knocks off the Hoosiers, the Tigers will likely be 4-0 going into SEC play. They open the conference slate with a game at an improving Vanderbilt squad, but a victory in that game isn’t out of the question. It may be wishful thinking, but Mizzou has a real chance to equal its 2012 win total in the first five weeks of the season.
After that manageable opening stretch, the road gets quite a bit more difficult. The Tigers would do themselves a big favor by piling up wins early, because they’ll probably lose three straight against Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, the SEC East’s top three teams.
The final four games are split by an off date, with two must-wins coming before two probably losses. Missouri gets Tennessee at home, and with the Vols in rebuilding mode, a loss would be disappointing. Failing to leave Lexington with a victory over Kentucky would be downright awful. The final two games against Ole Miss and Texas A&M won’t be easy, so if the Tigers want to make a bowl, they probably need to be eligible before facing the Rebels and Aggies.
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