* – Tennessee vacated all wins due to NCAA violations. LSU was ineligible for postseason due to self imposed ban. Note: Due to COVID-19, the SEC played a conference-only schedule.
In a season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tigers compiled a 5–5 record, all in conference games. The team was set to face Iowa in the Music City Bowl, but had to withdraw due to COVID-19 issues.[1]
Previous season
The Tigers finished the 2019 season 6–6, 3–5 in SEC play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Division. Head coach Barry Odom was fired on November 30, 2019 following an overall four-year record of 25–25 and SEC record of 13–19.[2]Eliah Drinkwitz was hired on December 10 following a 12–1 conference championship season at Appalachian State.[3]
Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
SEC Media Days
In the preseason media poll, Missouri was predicted to finish in sixth place in the East Division.[4]
^[a]The game between Missouri and LSU was originally scheduled to take place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. However, in light of Hurricane Delta, the game was moved to Columbia.
^[b]The game between Vanderbilt and Missouri was originally scheduled to take place on October 17. However, due to COVID-19 management requirements in response to positive tests and subsequent quarantine of individuals within the Vanderbilt program, the game was rescheduled for December 12.[8][9] The SEC postponed Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt to facilitate the rescheduling of the Vanderbilt-Missouri game. The shuffling allows for the opportunity for all 14 SEC teams to play 10 regular-season games.[10][11]