This season’s playoff race looks like a minefield: brutal schedules, shifting rosters, and zero margin for error. But hey, no one ever said the grind wasn’t worth the glory. With spring ball in the rearview, analysts are releasing early playoff predictions, and Josh Pate’s top 20 for 2025 is out. As expected, powerhouses like Texas, Penn State, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State made it into the cut. But the real eyebrow-raiser? A dark horse contender under most folks’ radar, yet Josh Pate didn’t think twice before calling dibs on them. They’re ready to make a run, and Pate made sure everyone knows it.
Well, it’s a team that’s making the most impact since their new HC took over the reins. Leading them to back-to-back 10+ win seasons and top 25 finishes in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. And that’s exactly what Josh Pate is trying to point out in his Josh Pate College Football Show while calling them the ultimate sleeper team, which can make a big splash this year. “I said I have a team in front of me that’s gone 21 and five in the last two years that’s better than LSU and Tennessee. They’ve averaged a top 25 class the last four years, okay? So, you know, you got good talent in the roster,” Josh said.
That’s just the beginning of the hype train. This team’s already leading up the recruiting trail, having a 9th-ranked class in the SEC this season with 17 commits and 22 transfers. And their explosive QB addition just pushes their playoff run even more. So, no need for the drumrolls; it’s Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri Tigers who step in as the ultimate sleepers this season. And Josh Pate is totally hooked on the program Eli’s building.
“They just landed a top 10 portal class. They’ve got a top-five returning production over on defense, a defense that was pretty good last year, and then they just went and got Beau Pribula, a quarterback from Penn State who came in and led them in a come-from-behind win on the road last year. Oh, by the way, this team has the second-easiest strength of schedule in the SEC.”
Source: Twitter
Now, people might not buy the idea of Missouri taking up center stage and making it into the playoffs, but Josh Pate knows what he is talking about. “They play four road games this year; is that right? Yeah, it looks that way. Both of them are back-to-back, but why? Never mind, let’s give them a chance. In the 60s, they were singing Give Peace a Chance. In 2025, we just need to give Missouri a chance.”
With a guy like Beau Pribula, Missouri can surely have a playoff run. He might not have seen the field more often last season, but in that short span, this guy threw for 275 yards with 5 TDs with just 1 interception and a completion rate of 74.3%. Insane, right?
It looks like they enter 2025 with real momentum and their HC. Eli Drinkwitz sees it clearly. “Whether we’re talking about offense, special teams, or defense, I think there’s a level of excitement because of the level of depth and competition that we’ve created,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s going to be about establishing an identity early and really playing to that identity.”
On top of that, their schedule is doing wonders for them this year. First up, there’s a pair of non-conference games against Central Arkansas and Louisiana, which might go in favor of Eli Drinkwitz’s team. Then there are teams like UMass and Kansas that might be an easy stretch. But here’s the kicker: they might have a tough fight against South Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. So how’s that going to work for them?
Eli Drinkwitz’s program gaining nationwide trust
Drinkwitz has worked recruiting magic at Missouri, transforming the program from an also-ran into a serious contender. To understand his impact, consider this: under Barry Odom, Mizzou ranked 38th nationally in recruiting; under Gary Pinkel, they improved to 26th. Drinkwitz, however, propelled them to 20th, boasting an average recruit rating of 89.35. He even secured quarterback Beau Pribula with a significant $1.5 million NIL offer. With Brady Cook departing for the NFL, Pribula now leads Mizzou’s offense.
The young quarterback faces immense pressure, but he’s brimming with confidence. Analyst Nate Edwards predicts a playoff berth for the Tigers, explaining, “Number one, I think he’s going to be given the time to do so. Number two, I believe the playoff is going to expand and force-feed four SEC teams into the thing. Which regardless of my politics on that, kind of feel like Missouri is going to be one of the top 4 teams in the SEC at some point.” This analyst’s confidence gives Missouri fans plenty to be excited about as the 2025 season nears.
The burgeoning optimism surrounding the Tigers received another boost from analyst John Williams. “I think and Oklahoma fans are going to hate it when I say this, but I think Missouri is flying a little bit under the radar right now,” Williams said. His words only amplified the excitement building around the Tigers and their postseason potential.
And he wasn’t fluffing as he explained the reason behind his belief in the Tigers, saying, “I hate even saying it, but the schedule really kind of lines up fairly well for them. There’s not a whole lot going on with that. Obviously, they got the games against Alabama and Texas A&M. They’re going to loom large. You got South Carolina as well. But the rest of it is pretty manageable for them. And then you got that game at Oklahoma, the second-to-last weekend of the season.” His take shows that Missouri may be in better shape than most think.
The Tigers’ schedule suggests a breakout season. With abundant talent, a favorable schedule, and growing national recognition, Missouri’s 2025 season could be truly special.
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