Business was looking good for the Tigers until that dispiriting upset. Coach Barry Odom had moved the program past The Boycott and rebuilt its foundation, instilling some toughness and resilience along the way.
He finally earned a hallmark victory, throttling the No. 13 Florida Gators on the road last season. He led Missouri to its second consecutive bowl berth.
The Tigers established more continuity on the recruiting front and made headway in the St. Louis market. They generated some offseason buzz by landing former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant to replace NFL-bound Drew Lock.
The south end zone renovation offered a huge boost, simultaneously upgrading the football facilities while creating more premium seating at Memorial Stadium.