COLUMBIA, Missouri (AP) — Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III made it clear how high expectations are in Columbia this season for the Tigers, who are currently ranked 11th.

“What I’m trying to do this year and haven’t done yet,” he said, “is win the big national championship.”

What a change from last year, when the Tigers wanted to make sure Eli Drinkwitz didn’t lose his job.

But after Burden, along with quarterback Brady Cook and a strong defense, won 11 games, beat Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl and finished No. 8 in the AP Top 25, everything is different at the program. Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore suddenly have new contracts, a host of core players are returning this season – led by Burden, a Heisman Trophy candidate and potential first-round NFL draft pick – and now they are expected to compete for the SEC championship.

Or better yet, a run into the playoffs.

“Last year our motto was ‘something to prove.’ I’m sure you heard it. We lived by it,” Cook said. “And we still do. Even though we had a good year last year and accomplished some things, we still have something to prove this year.”

“For the guys that came back, for the team we have now, 2024 is the only thing that matters,” he continued. “That’s the record that will be talked about. Those are the games that will be talked about. No one will talk about the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State in the future. That’s in the past. That’s in the history books.”

In other words, it’s time for the Tigers to make even more history.

They haven’t played for a conference championship in a decade, when then-coach Gary Pinkel’s team was beaten by Alabama for the SEC title. They haven’t won a league championship since 1969, when Dan Devine was on the sidelines.

ALSO READ: Burden named to All-SEC First Team, Mizzou ranked 6th in SEC preseason media poll

But those are the goals Missouri has in mind for this season.

“Our most important core value is to always compete and do better than we’ve ever done before,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s really not about anyone but our own internal drive and expectation to be the best we can be. And so we don’t rely on outside influences and external influences to motivate us. We’re motivated every day.”

Responsible for defense

The Tigers lost defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who played a big role in revitalizing that side of the ball, to SEC rival LSU. To replace him, Drinkwitz hired South Alabama defensive coordinator Corey Batoon, who has a fairly similar scheme and plenty of high-level experience. He even spent some time in the SEC at Ole Miss.

ALSO READ: Mizzou, K-State and KU are all ranked in the preseason AP poll for the first time in history

Throw it here

Cook went from being a polarizing quarterback among Missouri fans to a rising star last season when he threw for 3,317 yards and displayed a kind of combative toughness. With Burden, veteran wide receivers Theo Wease Jr. and Mookie Cooper and tight end Brett Norfleet, he could have another great season.

Run it this way

Cody Schrader went from being a Division II transfer to being the SEC’s leading rusher last season, but he will spend the fall trying to make it with the San Francisco 49ers. Missouri will look to replace him with a committee led by Marcus Carroll (transfer from Georgia) and Nate Noel (transfer from Appalachian State). It will also replace two blockers, including star left tackle Javon Foster.

They trust Kirby

Drinkwitz stepped away from his playmaking duties last season and brought Moore in from Fresno State to run the offense. The Tigers responded so strongly that Moore promptly received a hefty raise. His system excels at giving playmakers like Burden the ball in open space, and his flexibility will be crucial until the running game gets going.

The schedule

If the Tigers are serious about the playoffs, their flexible schedule should help them. They can build some momentum with Murray State on Aug. 29 and Buffalo next week, then up the difficulty level with Boston College before SEC play begins. The Tigers visit Texas A&M on Oct. 5 and Alabama on Oct. 26, but avoid Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss and get Auburn, old Big 12 foe Oklahoma and Arkansas at home.

ALSO READ: Mizzou’s Luther Burden was named All-American in the preseason

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