Mizzou’s three permanent SEC opponents revealed for 2026 schedule — and beyond
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- Missouri will face Arkansas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma annually in SEC play.
- SEC’s new nine-game format begins in 2026 and prioritizes historic rivalries.
- Four Missouri players earned SEC honors after a 29-20 win over South Carolina.
Missouri football now knows which three SEC opponents it will face every year when the league expands its conference schedule in 2026.
At the very least, it knows for each of the next four years, after which the conference will evaluate how the format is working.
The Tigers’ permanent opponents will be Arkansas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, On3 reported Monday. The news comes as the SEC prepares to move to a nine-game conference schedule for the first time since the league added divisions in 1992.
Under the new setup, each SEC program will face three annual opponents while the remaining six games will rotate across the rest of the conference. The SEC said the format was built around “maintaining many traditional rivalries.”
The league will formally unveil the four-year opponent rotations during a one-hour special on Tuesday night (6 p.m. Central, SEC Network/ESPN2).
The permanent matchups reinforce some familiar storylines for Missouri.
Arkansas has been a border rival since MU joined the SEC in 2012, and the Tigers hold a 12-4 all-time advantage in the series. Texas A&M and Missouri rekindle their Big 12 rivalry, with the Aggies currently holding a 11-7 edge. And with Oklahoma officially joining the SEC in 2024, the Sooners and Tigers will again become regular foes. Missouri is 25-67-5 all-time against OU.
Four Tigers earn weekly SEC honors
The SEC announced Monday that four Mizzou players earned weekly conference awards after Saturday’s 29-20 win over South Carolina.
Sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy headlined the group, winning Offensive Player of the Week. Hardy rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, continuing a breakout season that has vaulted him into the national spotlight. He now ranks second in the country with 600 rushing yards.
Freshman kicker Robert Meyer shared Freshman of the Week honors with Vanderbilt’s Jamison Curtis after bouncing back from an early missed extra point to hit a 40-yard field goal that pushed Missouri’s lead to nine late in the fourth quarter.
Senior pass rusher Zion Young split Defensive Lineman of the Week honors with Oklahoma’s Mason Thomas after Young recorded three tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss against South Carolina and its star quarterback, LaNorris Sellers.
Right tackle Keagen Trost rounded out the group, earning Offensive Lineman of the Week. The senior neutralized South Carolina’s standout defensive end Dylan Stewart, keeping him out of the backfield and off quarterback Beau Pribula for much of the night.
Mizzou sellout streak continues
Saturday’s homecoming matchup is already a sellout. And with the Oct. 11 game against Alabama also sold out, Missouri’s streak will reach at least 18 consecutive home games at capacity.
Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 5:30 AM.