Eli Drinkwitz returns for his seventh season after an 8-5 campaign, with Chip Lindsey arriving from Michigan as the new offensive coordinator and Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons taking over at quarterback. In the running back room, Ahmad Hardy’s health is the question as he returns after averaging 123 yards per game last year, but he suffered a gunshot wound at a concert in May, leaving his status for opening week in doubt. Jamal Roberts is a capable backup after averaging 58 yards per game last year. Top receiver Kevin Coleman is now with the Dolphins organization. The Tigers do return Donovan Olugbode and Brett Norfleet, while Ole Miss transfer Cayden Lee and Cincinnati transfer Caleb Goodie join the team. The Tigers have a massive offensive line, averaging 332 pounds per man, with returning starters Cayden Green, Dominick Giudice, and Curtis Peagler. Mississippi State transfer Zack Owens joins the Tigers after starting 10 games with the Bulldogs last year.  

Corey Batoon enters his third season as defensive coordinator with the difficult task of replacing nine of his top 11 tacklers from a year ago, on a unit that sent six players to the NFL. The Tigers’ most experienced returning starter is Marquis Gracial, who started just six games last year. Missouri is happy for the help it receives from Auburn transfer linebacker Robert Woodyard, along with cornerback transfers Jahlil Florence and Chris Graves.

The new special teams coach will need to replace departed kicker Robert Meyer and punter Connor Weselman. DaMarion Fowlkes will return kicks and look to take on a bigger role in the punt game with Kevin Coleman now with the Dolphins. Even with a new coordinator, a star running back’s health in question, and a new quarterback, the Tigers’ offense looks to be in better shape than the defense. But the beauty of college football is you never know.