Missouri · SECSimmons arrives as Missouri's answer to its quarterback problem
The No. 25 Tigers open Thursday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and after an 8-5 season limited by shaky quarterback play, Missouri is betting the transfer's arm talent can turn respectable into dangerous.
AUG 29, 2026
Missouri opens its 136th season Thursday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at No. 25 in the AP poll, and how far the Tigers climb from there may come down to transfer quarterback Austin Simmons fixing the passing game that held them back a year ago.
The AP has Missouri ninth among SEC teams; the SEC Media poll dropped the Tigers to 10th. Either way, the message is the same: respected, but not picked to contend for the league or the College Football Playoff. Missouri went 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the SEC last season, with a strong run game and defense held back by inconsistent quarterback play.
Missouri has not said whether Simmons will start, but he arrived with the arm talent the Tigers went looking for after losing his job at Ole Miss to Trinidad Chambliss. His decision-making is the open question: Simmons threw two interceptions in last year's opener against Georgia State, then had no touchdowns and two more interceptions against Kentucky.
"Mizzou is expected to be good this season," a Yahoo Sports writer covering the program said. "And if Simmons turns into a star, he'll take Missouri with him."