Missouri opens its college football season Thursday, Aug. 31, against South Dakota. The game will be live streamed on fuboTV (free trial).

Missouri is coming off a 6-6 regular season before losing to Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl.

But perhaps no other team in major college football was less a reflection of its record than the Tigers, whose quarterback played with a torn labrum for the final 10 games and at one point lost four games by a combined 18 points — one of them in overtime.

Still, Eli Drinkwitz doesn’t make a whole lot of excuses. He understands that his 17-19 record since taking over following one wildly successful season at Appalachian State is not what fans expect, and the three middling bowl games Missouri has qualified for — one of which was not played because of the pandemic — have produced not a single trophy in the case.

What time is Missouri-South Dakota today?

Missouri and South Dakota are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. ET) on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Will it be live streamed?

FuboTV

The game will be live streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo pro” package, which comprises 146-plus channels for $74.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

There is also the “fubo elite” package, which comprises 205-plus channels for $84.99 per month. It comes with fuboExtra (48 more channels) and News Plus (11 more channels). Plus, more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

The “fubo premiere” package is “fubo elite” with the addition of Showtime for $94.99 per month.

Will it be televised?

Missouri and South Dakota will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Preview

NEW VOICE ON OFFENSE: Drinkwitz had been serving as offensive coordinator and play-caller, but he decided to hire Kirby Moore from Fresno State to handle those duties. The decision gives Drinkwitz more flexibility to oversee all aspects of the team, and it will provide a new voice for Cook and the rest of the offense.

IN AND OUT AT WIDEOUT: The Tigers lost Dominic Lovett to SEC rival Georgia after he caught 46 passes for 846 yards and three TDs last season, but they also picked up a transfer in Theo Wease, who caught 19 passes for 378 yards and four scores for Oklahoma last year.

Missouri also has dynamic playmaker Luther Burden III and Mookie Cooper returning to anchor the wide receiver corps.

SHUT IT DOWN: Missouri could have one of the nation’s best defensive backfields, led by cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, who had 48 tackles and 14 breakups last season. He is joined by cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and safeties Jaylon Carlies and Joseph Charleston in what should be one of the most experienced secondaries in the league.

MEVIS THE MACHINE: Kicker Harrison Mevis had an up-and-down season in 2022 after he was voted first-team All-SEC the previous season. He still was 22 of 28 on field-goal attempts and perfect on PATs, and his big leg will be invaluable if the Tigers continue to play close games.

SCHEDULE OUTLOOK: The Tigers have perhaps one of the best home schedules in the nation. After opening with South Dakota and Middle Tennessee, they get visits from No. 16 Kansas State, Memphis, fifth-ranked LSU, South Carolina, No. 12 Tennessee and Florida. Most of the SEC heavyweights are on the second half of the slate, so the Tigers should have some time to find their footing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.