Welcome to the Morning Commute
Today we are talking about Mizzou Football!
For the first time ever, Mizzou Gymnastics earns a preseason rank inside the top eight, ranking seventh in the 2026 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) preseason poll.
The Tigers previous highest preseason ranking came in 2023 and 2025 where they started the season in the ninth spot. After a 2025 campaign that saw Mizzou finish
third in the nation, it was one of five teams that received votes for the top spot.
“Being ranked seventh in the WCGA preseason poll is a reflection of the work our student-athletes and staff have put in to build this program the right way,” Mizzou coach Shannon Welker said in a news release. “It speaks to the consistency, belief and standard that now exists at Mizzou gymnastics.”
All nine SEC gymnastics programs appear in the top 12 of the preseason poll, led by reigning national champion Oklahoma in the top spot. The Sooners are followed by No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Florida.
All of Missouri’s 13 opponents for the 2026 campaign are ranked or receiving votes in the inaugural WCGA poll.
Missouri opens the season by hosting Iowa State on Jan. 4, which was the first team left out of the poll.
We have more discussion on football and basketball, diving into prospects, visits and PFF grades in the Rock M+ forums. Most recently, we’ve got more discussion on the Mizzou’s season grade.
Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+
The All-American honors keep on coming for Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy. After being the first running back in Mizzou football history to earn Walter Camp First Team-All American honors — he became the 13th overall player in Mizzou’s history to land on AP All-American First Team.
No surprise here. More on this, he was asked if teams have been reaching out to him about this transfer portal. Here was his response:
“I think they know I’m a Tiger so they ain’t hitting me up.”
So how do they keep games close and win late? They do it by having great starting field position, converting third downs, and finishing with any points at all on offense. Defensively they do it by stifling the pass and turning over opponents. Offensively its a safe, repeatable, but deeply boring way to play and leads to close games….just like Missouri! On defense, it’s not a very reliable formula given the reliance on turnovers but the pass defense is legit.
I think this is a perfect final test for Missouri to see what it wants to leave on the field. Way better than playing a mid-major team that Missouri was projected to beat by 21 points.
No spreads for the semis as of yet, but I do think this is when we’ll see our first true upset of the CFP. I think Ohio State is really good, but they haven’t faced a team quite like Georgia, who I think will benefit from revving up against Ole Miss.
Assuming Georgia and Ohio State play in the semifinals, I’d say this has a good shot at being your champion beating whoever comes out of the other side.
Over at Rock M+ we have more Mizzou football discussion in forums ahead of bowl season, and basketball discussion ahead of SEC play.
From Rock M Radio: Before the Box Score!
In this episode, Nate and Nathan discuss the current state of the program following signing day and the coaching carousel. They dive into Eli Drinkwitz’s recent contract extension, the transfer portal, and Missouri’s recognition in the SEC.
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