Mizzou closed their 2025 season with a statement game — and maybe a little jog into the record books. After a chilly but convincing 31–17 beatdown of Arkansas, the Tigers proved they’re more than just a good team in a rebuilding league. They’re a team growing into something bigger. But here’s where it gets interesting — beneath the easy win were flashes of dominance, discipline, and questions still lurking under the surface.
1. Trophy Game Titans
Let’s be honest: you won’t see posters celebrating this 2025 season plastered across Mizzou’s locker room walls. And that’s kind of the point. For a fanbase that once celebrated an 8–4 record like a championship, expectations have changed. Mizzou’s players and boosters alike now demand titles that mean something more — and head coach Eli Drinkwitz is being paid to deliver just that.
Still, this year will be remembered fondly for one reason — hardware. The Tigers swept their rivalry games yet again, snagging the Border War Drum, the Mayor’s Cup, and for the 10th time since joining the SEC, the Shelter Insurance Battle Line Trophy. (We’d mention the Peace Pipe, but everyone knows that’s lost to history.) Rivalries fuel the pride and traditions of a team, and under Drinkwitz, Mizzou keeps showing that these showdowns matter, no matter how small the trophy.
2. Ahmad Hardy. That’s It — That’s the Takeaway.
For most of the first half, it looked like Arkansas had somehow caged Mizzou’s dynamic Doak Walker Award semifinalist. The Tigers relied heavily on Beau Pribula and Jamal Roberts, with Hardy taking more of a decoy role. But then, in an instant, everything flipped.
Met by what felt like half of Arkansas’ defense, Hardy churned his legs and broke through three tackles on his way to a 53-yard, soul-crushing touchdown that effectively ended the Razorbacks’ hope of a comeback. The stadium deflated, and Mizzou coasted from that point on — literally running out the clock.
The numbers say it all: 322 rushing yards on 58 carries. But it was Hardy’s pure willpower in that one explosive play that defined the game — and perhaps his first season in Columbia. It wasn’t just a highlight; it was a glimpse of what could make him one of Mizzou’s foundational stars in the coming years.
3. Culture is the Key
Here’s one thing you can say about Eli Drinkwitz: his teams don’t lose their composure. In a game where pride was the only thing truly at stake (and maybe a shiny, insurance-sponsored trophy), Mizzou played calm and calculated while Arkansas came out sputtering with reckless intensity.
The Razorbacks were desperate to prove that their 2–9 record didn’t define them, but that desperation came at a cost — 16 penalties for 121 yards. Mizzou, by contrast, played like a team that trusted its process. That steadiness paid off when Arkansas began unraveling in the second half. Mizzou’s defense tightened. The running game dominated. The Tigers simply imposed their identity.
Sure, being more composed than a Bobby Petrino-led interim team doesn’t sound like much of a headline, but it matters. A few years ago, Mizzou might have folded under similar chaos. Now, they don’t even blink. That’s how you know culture is taking root — and that Drinkwitz’s blueprint might be turning into something real.
4. If Not QB, Why QB-Shaped?
Credit to Sam Snelling for that perfect headline. Let’s face it — when you win behind a run-heavy offense, fans tend to let questions slide. But seven pass attempts all game? That’s eyebrow-raising.
Was Beau Pribula still feeling the aftereffects of his recent injury? Probably not, considering he ran the ball 16 times. Maybe rust played a role, or maybe the cold conditions favored a ground-and-pound approach. Still, Arkansas managed to pass the ball effectively despite the same weather.
Maybe this was play-calling pragmatism — why risk turnovers against a soft defense when the run game is automatic? Still, there’s a bigger conversation brewing. Can Mizzou’s passing game be trusted when it really matters? The bowl game may answer that. If not, we could be looking at an unavoidable offseason quarterback debate — always a fan favorite topic of controversy.
5. Bowl Season Awaits
Mizzou finishes the regular season 8–4 — a mark that feels both satisfying and slightly frustrating. The upside? There’s a real chance all four losses came against eventual College Football Playoff teams. Not a bad group to lose to.
The Tigers now head into bowl season with a shot at a ninth win, something that could further solidify their step toward national relevance. Behind the scenes, though, another storm brews: the dreaded winter transfer portal season. That’s where Drinkwitz’s hard-earned culture will really be tested.
So as we wait to learn where the Tigers will play next, here’s a question for you — does this season mark Mizzou’s arrival as an SEC power-in-waiting, or is it proof that they’re still a step away from the top tier? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let the debate begin.