Your chance to bring titles to Columbia, Missouri, is just about here.
EA Sports College Football 26 officially releases Thursday, although gamers who preordered certain deluxe packages have been able to play since Monday. Most details about the game have become public either in the leadup to the release or in the days since preorders were made available to play.
That includes how Missouri football’s players are ranked.
Mizzou has been given an 86 overall rating, which is tied for 16th-best in the game and tied for ninth in the SEC. MU’s offensive and defensive ratings are consistent, both also checking in at 86.
Players in the video game are given an overall rating that can go as high as 99. The top-ranked player at launch time for College Football 26 is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who was given a 98 rating.
If you’re planning on using Missouri as your first dynasty team, here are the top-10-rated Tigers you’ll have at your disposal:
Ahmad Hardy, running back: 92 overall
One of three Mizzou players ranked among the top-100-overall players in the game, Hardy also checks in as the fifth-best running back available.
Only Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love (95), Louisville’s Isaac Brown (93), Washington’s Jonah Coleman (93) and Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton (93) have better ratings than the ULM transfer. The game’s cover star and Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams is the only player with a better “Change of Direction” sub-rating than Hardy at 97 out of a possible 99.
Cayden Green, left guard: 92 overall
Like Hardy, Green is one of this year’s top-100-overall players. With a 92 rating, he also ties the mark for the best available left guard with Arkansas’ Fernando Carmona Jr. and Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane.
Jalen Catalon, free safety: 91 overall
The UNLV transfer and third-team AP All-American rounds out the Mizzou representation in the game’s top-100 players, checking in as the fourth-best free safety.
Kevin Coleman Jr., wide receiver: 90 overall
Coleman, a third-team All-SEC selection at Mississippi State last season, is Mizzou’s top pass-catcher in the game. Only 10 wide receivers have a higher overall rating than the Tigers’ new slot receiver.
Connor Tollison, center: 88 overall
Tollison, who the team announced will be one of three MU players to represent Mizzou at SEC Media Days on July 17 in Atlanta, is among the top-10 centers in this year’s game.
Daylan Carnell, star safety: 88 overall
Carnell, who also will represent Mizzou at SEC Media Days this year, is among the top-15 strong safeties in the game and is top three in the SEC.
Josiah Trotter, middle linebacker: 86 overall
Trotter gets the “Thumper” tag in this year’s game, which sure sounds like a good trait for a middle linebacker. At an 86 overall, Trotter is the highest-rated player on Mizzou’s defensive front.
Chris McClellan, defensive tackle: 85 overall
Mizzou’s senior defensive tackle is tied for the top overall rating on the Mizzou defensive line. You shouldn’t have to worry about him missing any time in the game, either, as he was given the top possible subrating for injury avoidance.
Damon Wilson II, defensive end: 85 overall
One of Mizzou’s marquee transfer portal additions this offseason, Wilson is the Tigers’ top-rated edge rusher at launch time. He’s one rating point ahead of returning defensive end Zion Young, which should make for a decent edge-rushing duo.
Toriano Pride Jr., cornerback: 85 overall
Pride had to fight for a starting role at times with Mizzou last season, but he rounds out MU’s top-10 players at launch time for College Football 26. Is that a good omen for Mizzou’s secondary this season? He’ll certainly help gamers as MU’s third-fastest player, with 92 speed and 95 acceleration sub ratings.
How are Mizzou’s quarterbacks rated?
Beau Pribula checks in with an 80 rating in the game, while Sam Horn is at 77.
Backup QB Brett Brown, who has since transferred to Middle Tennessee, is still on the roster with a 70 rating, and freshman Matt Zollers is a 72.
Other notable Mizzou ratings and sub ratings
Wide receiver Marquis Johnson (78 overall) is the fastest player in the game for Mizzou, carrying a 95 speed rating and 96 acceleration mark.
Kansas City native and offensive lineman Logan Reichert has the Tigers’ highest strength subrating at 95, just ahead of defensive tackle Marquis Gracial at 94.
Ten more Mizzou players received overall ratings of 80 or higher: CB Stephen Hall (84); DE Zion Young (84); LB Triston Newson (83); LB Khalil Jacobs (83); TE Brett Norfleet (83); DE Nate Johnson (81); OL Dominick Giudice (81); RB Jamal Roberts (81); CB Dreyden Norwood (80); and Pribula (80).
