Can Missouri Football Handle a Tough Road Test at Auburn in 2025? Tigers May Face a Top-25 Challenge

Missouri football emerged from spring practice with a clear sense of momentum, confidence, and elevated expectations heading into the 2025 season. Eli Drinkwitz and his coaching staff have crafted a roster that blends veteran leadership with young talent, one that many experts believe could be in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl — or more. But every high-level team faces key roadblocks along the way, and for the Tigers, one such challenge looms on the road in SEC play: a trip to Auburn.

The question Missouri fans and national analysts alike are beginning to ask is whether that late-season road game against the Auburn Tigers might be more difficult than initially anticipated. Could it even be a top-25 matchup by the time kickoff arrives?

At first glance, Auburn didn’t appear to be a major threat entering 2025. Hugh Freeze’s squad finished the 2024 campaign with a losing record and only flashes of potential. However, digging deeper into Auburn’s offseason reveals a different story. The program has been active in the transfer portal, bringing in talent at key positions, and had a spring practice period that has generated optimism on the Plains.

For Missouri, the Auburn game sits in a precarious position on the schedule. It’s sandwiched between high-profile SEC clashes, and depending on how the early slate unfolds, the Tigers could either be riding high with momentum or trying to bounce back from physical, emotional games against top-tier league opponents. Either way, a trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium — one of the loudest, most intimidating environments in college football — is no easy task, regardless of the opponent’s record.

Auburn’s quarterback situation, which was murky during much of 2024, appears more settled now. Transfer quarterback Walker White, a former five-star recruit, has drawn praise throughout the spring for his leadership and command of the offense. His arm talent and mobility give Freeze the dual-threat signal-caller he craves for his up-tempo, RPO-heavy scheme. If White can take a step forward and avoid turnovers, Auburn’s offense could be far more explosive in 2025.

Alongside White, the Tigers have added key weapons on offense, including former Florida State receiver Malik Benson and Ole Miss transfer tight end Kyron Heath. Their presence should stretch defenses and give Auburn a chance to consistently generate chunk plays — something it lacked in recent years. Meanwhile, the running back room remains a strength, headlined by veteran Jarquez Hunter, who opted to return for another season rather than enter the NFL Draft. Hunter’s physical running style and experience in the SEC add balance to an offense that could suddenly become far more dangerous.

Defensively, Auburn has also made strides. The team ranked in the bottom half of the conference in most major defensive categories last year, but the spring has showcased development, particularly in the front seven. Edge rusher Keldric Faulk is being hyped as a breakout star, and the linebacker corps looks much deeper thanks to the addition of former Georgia Tech standout Trenilyas Tatum. The secondary, long a staple of Auburn’s defensive identity, is still led by veteran safety Keionte Scott, who has returned for his final season with something to prove.

The home-field advantage in Auburn should also not be underestimated. The Tigers are traditionally far better in Jordan-Hare than on the road, and if Auburn is winning games by midseason — especially if they knock off an early opponent like Arkansas or Texas A&M — the energy surrounding the program could peak just in time for Missouri’s visit.

So where does that leave Missouri? For a team that is expected to contend in the SEC East, they’ll need to treat every game like a potential landmine — especially road contests like this one.

Quarterback Brady Cook returns for Missouri and has become one of the most trusted signal-callers in the conference. Cook’s chemistry with receiver Luther Burden III remains a foundational strength of the offense, and the Tigers have expanded their passing attack to include even more high-percentage intermediate throws — a reflection of Cook’s improving decision-making. Burden, meanwhile, is on the short list of Biletnikoff Award contenders after a breakout 2024 season.

Missouri’s offensive line, which played a huge role in its success last year, brings back four of five starters and should give Cook the protection he needs to operate efficiently. The running game, now led by younger backs like Tavorus Jones and Nate Noel, isn’t as proven, but it has potential. The versatility of the offense should help Missouri stay balanced against Auburn’s retooled defense.

Defensively, Missouri has quietly assembled one of the better units in the conference. Daylan Carnell headlines a secondary that prides itself on aggressive coverage and timely turnovers. The front seven returns plenty of experience, and the addition of portal transfer defensive end Elijah Jeudy from Texas A&M could provide the pass-rushing spark needed to cause problems for less experienced quarterbacks like White.

Missouri’s strength on defense will likely be tested at Auburn — especially if White has settled into a rhythm by then. The outcome could hinge on Missouri’s ability to force Auburn into third-and-long situations and take away the deep ball. If Auburn can stay balanced and lean on Hunter and short passing plays, it could keep Missouri’s defense on its heels.

From a national perspective, if Auburn can enter the Missouri game with six or more wins — especially over SEC competition — they could be ranked or at least receiving votes in the AP Top 25. The 2025 schedule gives them some early chances to build a résumé, including non-conference tilts that should be manageable. That would elevate the Missouri-Auburn game from a routine conference matchup to a potential national spotlight game, depending on how Drinkwitz’s squad performs up to that point.

Missouri’s goal will be to stay focused and consistent. A letdown in a hostile environment could derail a special season, particularly if it comes at a time when the Tigers are jockeying for playoff positioning. While Auburn might not yet be elite, they’re more than capable of springing an upset if overlooked. Missouri must bring the same energy and precision it would for a Georgia or Alabama matchup, even if Auburn enters unranked.

It’s also worth noting that Missouri hasn’t had great historical success against Auburn. The programs have only met a few times in recent years, but the 2022 game — a heartbreaker in which Missouri missed a chip-shot field goal and fumbled in overtime — still stings for fans. Revenge may be a motivator, but discipline will be more important than emotion.

As the offseason progresses, media outlets will begin publishing their preseason rankings and predictions. Missouri is expected to land somewhere between No. 10 and No. 20 in most major polls. If Auburn climbs into the top 25 or plays spoiler early, that November showdown will take on a much different tone than originally expected.

Ultimately, Missouri’s post-spring outlook remains one of optimism and steady progression. But the path to a special season in the SEC always includes at least one trap game — and Auburn, with its retooled roster, passionate fan base, and upside under Freeze, fits the bill. Whether or not it ends up being a top-25 matchup, the road test at Auburn is a critical one.

Missouri has earned the right to be taken seriously as a contender, but that also means every opponent will be gunning for them. Auburn is rebuilding, yes — but they’re doing so with urgency and a belief that they can turn things around quickly. If Missouri isn’t careful, that belief could become reality at their expense.