College football preseason rankings: Can No. 9 Missouri take advantage of a favorable schedule?

Welcome to the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

In anticipation of the first four-round postseason in college football history, we’re counting down our predicted playoff field as the season approaches. The top five conference champions in the CFP selection committee’s rankings will make the playoff and the rest of the field will be filled out by seven at-large teams. Who will lift the national championship trophy on Jan. 20 in Atlanta?

Previous previews: Nos. 25-13, No. 12 Boise State, No. 11 Utah, No. 10 Florida State

Click here for the Yahoo Sports Viewer’s Guide to the New College Football Playoff. (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)

2023 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC

The Tigers were one of the surprise teams of a season ago. A 61-yard field goal got the Tigers a win over Kansas State in September and Mizzou only lost to LSU and Georgia. For the second straight season, Missouri was Georgia’s toughest SEC East win.

After losing to Georgia, Missouri blew out Tennessee and then snuck past Florida thanks to a big fourth-down conversion. The Tigers then beat Ohio State 14-3 in the Cotton Bowl for the program’s first 11-win season since 2014 and the school’s first winning season since 2018.

Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (12) and wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) return after keying one of the most efficient offenses in the country last year. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Tigers return nine starters on an offense that was one of the most efficient in college football a season ago. Mizzou averaged 6.5 yards per play as QB Brady Cook had a breakout season. Cook threw for over 3,300 yards and had 21 TDs to just five interceptions.

WR Luther Burden III may be the best wide receiver in the country and will move all over the…


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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-08-16 13:12:50

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