Game-by-game picks for Missouri football’s 2023 schedule ... plus 5 bold predictions

As the Mizzou football 2023 season-opener — on Thursday, Aug. 31, against South Dakota — approaches, The Star’s preseason coverage continues with game-by-game predictions for MU’s 2023 slate.

Game 1 vs. South Dakota

This should be a glorified exhibition game. Sure, the threat of a major upset exists in an FBS vs. FCS game, but this team is too experienced, vastly superior to and literal levels of competition above South Dakota. The Tigers should be playing their third-string players by the third quarter.

Prediction: Missouri (1-0)

Game 2 vs. Middle Tennessee State

MTSU is a step up from FCS South Dakota, but this is Year 4 in the Drinkwitz era. MU should not lose this game. The Tigers should win by a few scores at minimum.

Prediction: Missouri (2-0)

Game 3 vs. Kansas State

Here’s where it gets interesting. This is not the same Kansas State team that wiped the Bill Snyder Family Stadium turf with Missouri last year. Gone are Adrian Martinez, Deuce Vaughn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

KSU boasts a talented and well-coached team. Still, this MU team is very similar to last year’s squad, which leads me to believe the Tigers will give a ranked team some trouble. This is the kind of game Eli Drinkwitz wants to win in Year 4.

Prediction: Missouri (3-0)

Game 4 vs. Memphis (in St. Louis)

With so much leading up to this game, there’s going to be extra juice on MU’s sideline. It’s hard to see Missouri losing a neutral-site game that’ll essentially be a home game for the Tigers against a team that was 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the AAC last season.

Prediction: Missouri (4-0)

Game 5 at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt played some surprisingly good football last year. Wins over Florida and Kentucky proved the Commodores are improving. Still, against a stout MU defense, it’s hard to see Vanderbilt doing enough to overcome MU.

Prediction: Missouri (5-0)

Game 6 vs. LSU

If there’s a game on MU’s schedule that could recapture some of that Georgia upset magic from last year, this could be it, along with Kansas State. In these predictions, that magic was used up in September. If Missouri can keep transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels in check, there could be a chance. That’s a massive “if” with a team as talented as LSU, which brings MU back down to Earth.

Prediction: LSU (Mizzou record: 5-1)

Game 7 vs. Kentucky

Devin Leary’s transfer to Lexington might make this game a shootout, considering how talented UK is on offense with the return of offensive coordinator Liam Coen. It might come down to the defense making a play or two. On the road, that’s difficult.

Prediction: Kentucky (Mizzou 5-2)

Game 8 vs. South Carolina

Missouri rattled Spencer Rattler in Columbia, South Carolina, last year. Against a similar MU defense with most of its secondary returned, the Gamecocks might struggle to move the ball. MU also has the advantage at home.

Prediction: Missouri (6-2)

Game 9 at Georgia

We all know it was an almost-upset in Columbia last season. On Georgia’s home turf, it’ll be a tough game, but it’s worth pointing out that the Tigers’ defense could be one of the better defenses the Bulldogs will face in 2023. The question is: Does MU’s offense have enough firepower to put the Dawgs in their kennel? Against that UGA defense, it’s hard to see it happening.

Prediction: Georgia (Mizzou 6-3)

Game 10 vs. Tennessee

It’s hard to see this as a competitive game until Missouri shows it can stop Tennessee’s offense. Let’s start with seeing if MU can hold to Vols under 60 points this season.

Prediction: Tennessee (Mizzou 6-4)

Game 11 vs. Florida

Last year, self-inflicted wounds sunk Missouri in the swamp. This year, Florida could be banking on an improved defense at this point to avoid a losing season. MU has the advantage at home over a Graham Mertz-led Gators team.

Prediction: Missouri (7-4)

Game 12 at Arkansas

Missouri has had Arkansas’ number in this rivalry and it’s hard to see that changing. With a stout defense and experienced playmakers on offense, MU is equipped to win this game if it’s a shootout or defensive struggle. It’ll be a tight contest but history favors the Tigers here.

Prediction: Missouri (8-4)

Final record: 8-4

Five Mizzou football bold predictions

1. Luther Burden will be a Biletnikoff Award finalist

Much has been discussed with Burden taking over the slot receiver position from Dominic Lovett. Eli Drinkwitz has said to expect a big year from Burden, who will be getting an uptick in targets. Whoever wins the starting quarterback job just has to get Burden the ball, and the rest will take care of itself with 10 receiving scores, a few rushing scores and a special teams return score. This season will get Burden on the national map.

2. Sam Horn claims the starting QB job

MU’s quarterback battle will rage on, probably through the first two games of the regular season before heading into a showdown with Kansas State. Through those first two games, Horn will separate himself from the pack. With the competition giving Horn more opportunity, and Horn having a full year of college under his belt as an athlete and a student, he will seize the chance and earn the start.

3. Ennis Rakestraw will lead the team in interceptions

Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine combined for 26 pass breakups last year. The two could have combined for plenty of interceptions, and that’s where Rakestraw will bring his game in 2023. A tough cover corner, Rakestraw had an interception last year against Abilene Christian with 12 pass breakups. With teams throwing away from Abrams-Draine and Jaylon Carlies, who led MU in interceptions last year, Rakestraw will get his chances. He’ll capitalize.

4. First-year offensive coordinator Kirby Moore will coach a year to remember

It wasn’t a simple aspect for MU head coach Eli Drinkwitz to give up play-calling duties, but when he did it gave way for Kirby Moore to earn an offensive coordinator job at Missouri. The Tigers averaged 24.9 points per game last season; this year, Moore will jump that average into the top half of the SEC and will send a few upperclassmen to the NFL.

5. The Mizzou team MVP will be in the trenches

Burden will star, so will multiple MU defensive studs, but the team’s most valuable player won’t be a skill player or a defensive star. It’ll be offensive lineman Armand Membou. With a remade offensive line featuring transfers and veterans, Membou, who made The Athletic’s “College Football Freaks List,” is slated to be a starter. Where is to be determined, but the staff is going to find a spot for him because he is that talented. With Javon Foster anchoring one end of the line, Membou can help anchor another spot. That will allow Missouri’s offense to flourish, unlike last season when the unit struggled. That will be thanks to Membou.

The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.