Missouri wrestling will open its 2025-26 campaign ranked No. 18 in the nation with 123 points in the NWCA Coaches Poll.
The Tigers finished last season at No. 25 with a 5-10 record — their first time finishing below .500 since 2001 and only the fourth time during head coach Brian Smith’s tenure.
Mizzou is notably the only team in the top 25 that finished under .500 last season.
At the top of the poll is defending national champion Penn State, which received all 16 first-place votes. Two of Missouri’s 2025-26 opponents follow the Nittany Lions — Nebraska and Iowa, rank No. 2 and 3, respectively. The Tigers will face Iowa at the National Duals Invitational on Nov. 15 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and again at the Soldier Salute tournament Jan. 3-4 in Iowa City. Missouri is also scheduled to take on Nebraska Dec. 5 in St. Charles, Missouri, at the Journeymen Wrestling “Hustle in the Heartland” tournament.
The Tigers will face seven additional ranked opponents throughout their 2025-26 slate, beginning with No. 16 Illinois on Nov. 24 at the Hearnes Center. They then open Big 12 competition against No. 13 Northern Iowa on Dec. 14 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Missouri’s schedule intensifies in the middle of conference play with matchups against No. 5 Oklahoma State, No. 22 Little Rock (non-conference), No. 20 West Virginia, No. 19 Oklahoma and No. 6 Iowa State down the stretch.
The Tigers will also travel to Tempe, Arizona Jan. 15 to face Arizona State, which received five votes — good enough for what would be No. 29.
Missouri’s 1-8 record against ranked opponents last season is worth noting, as the Tigers once again face a tough slate in 2025-26.
Mizzou will open the season Nov. 2 at the Hearnes Center, hosting the Missouri Duals against Drury, Maryville and Central Methodist — all non-Division I opponents.
