With the Music City Bowl set for Monday, both the Missouri Tigers and Iowa Hawkeyes are scheduled to arrive in Nashville on Saturday. At this point, Mizzou has a clear picture of what its roster will look like for the matchup.
In the modern era of college football, so-called "meaningless" bowl games are often marked by player opt-outs. Athletes with promising NFL futures are increasingly hesitant to risk injury that could jeopardize their draft stock. And, in all honesty, it’s hard to blame them for prioritizing their professional aspirations.
With that in mind, Mizzou will be without four of its starters in the Music City Bowl. Dynamic wide receiver Luther Burden was the first to announce his decision to declare for the NFL Draft, a move that surprised no one. Burden, one of the most talented receivers in this year’s draft class, wisely chose to sit out, as playing in the bowl game would carry unnecessary risk.
A few days later, right tackle Armand Membou announced that he would also forgo the bowl game and declare for the NFL Draft. As a junior, Membou established himself as a dominant force on the right side of Mizzou's offensive line. While some speculated he might return for his senior season, his projection as a first or second-round draft pick made his decision to turn pro a logical choice.
The third and final opt-out for Mizzou came as more of a surprise. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced during a press conference that linebacker Chuck Hicks had decided not to play in the bowl game. Hicks, a seventh-year player who has had an up-and-down season, later addressed fans on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that he wanted to spend time with his family.
In addition to the three opt-outs, the Tigers will be without tight end Brett Norfleet, who underwent knee surgery after the team’s final regular-season game. Norfleet will miss the bowl game but is expected to return next season for his junior year, where he should once again play a key role in the offense.
Aside from those four absences, Mizzou is expected to have all its other starters available for Monday’s Music City Bowl. The SEC vs. Big Ten matchup will take center stage as the only game on the schedule for Dec. 30, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. CST.