Missouri at 6-5 has wrestled more times than anyone in the top 25 thus far, and the scores against Iowa (34-3) and Nebraska (27-10) weren’t pretty.

In those two duals in particular, the Tigers lost eight bouts by three points or fewer and one by four. Losses by a takedown here and a riding time point there are still losses. When that changes, so will the left side of the win-loss ledger.

“That's something we’ve talked about as a team and a staff that to make that jump to become a great team, we're going to have to figure out how to win those tight matches,” Tigers coach Brian Smith said. “We lost some really tough ones; I mean, really tough ones. Even at the Tiger Style Invite, and we lost a couple this past weekend at the Cougar Clash.

“We’re winning some of them, too. I mean, Aeoden Sinclair (#2 at 184) has had a lot of dogfights, and he continues to win. Josh Edmond (#18 at 149), he's winning some tight ones.”

Smith said in a couple of bouts against Nebraska that the Tigers were the shooters but ended up losing. 

“I’m upset that we lost, but I also like the fact that we're being the aggressor and going after the takedown, so that we can work with that,” he said. “So it's just being patient … you’ve got to keep focused on the techniques we have to use to win those types of matches.”

Smith knows it’s been a difficult start as the #16 Tigers have lost to teams ranked #2, #7, #10 and #11. 

“We've had a tough schedule, there's no doubt about it, but that's part of this sport,” he said. “It is tough, and it's learning that you’ve got to find a way to figure that out, and that's in the practice room, cutting down on little mistakes. And when you're drilling, working your finishes the right way.”

Missouri lost back-to-back matches against Illinois (National Duals Invitational and a regular-season dual meet) but Smith saw improvement from the first time to the second. 

“Without a doubt,” he said. “I really like the way we competed against Illinois. We’re definitely improving, it's just that we’ve got to put it together as a team, and that's going to happen. 

“This experience in the first semester, I don't think anybody's had as many tough duals as we've had. It's definitely going to pay off in the end, because their minds are there, and the way they are training is there. I get excited because I know the way they're training and the way they're dealing with the losses, not getting down about it. It’s ‘Hey, I’ve got to get better, what do I need to do?’ And they're wanting to be in there. So it's going to happen.”

Another Duals Fan

Add Smith’s name to the list of coaches who have endorsed the National Duals Invitational in Tulsa.

“I really liked it. I think it's a great event that we need to do,” he said. “Even the fans were saying how exciting it was to watch duals instead of sitting for 12 hours and watching a tournament two days in a row. 

“I think the team competition is more fan-friendly. And I like the way it brings your team together, too. They're excited on the bench. We're competing against tough teams. It definitely is a special event that I'm glad it came back.”

Tigers’ Personnel Matters

All-America Cam Steed, #10 at 174, has been out of the lineup since the National Duals Invite and won’t return until the second semester, according to Smith. 

“He’s our only returning All-American, and when you’re missing one of your better guys, that’s tough,” he said.

Seth Mendoza is still on target to redshirt, with Smith saying they’ll get Mendoza his five allowable dates to compete. 

“Being at 149, that’s definitely his weight now,” he said. “He’ll wrestle in the Soldier Salute and maybe another dual with us, but the plan is still to redshirt him.

“He’s definitely a special young man. He gets after it. It's gonna be a dog fight every match.”

The Teague Travis Transfer

Oklahoma State’s Teague Travis has transferred to Missouri and will be eligible in the upcoming spring semester. He didn’t need directions to Mizzou because he grew up in Columbia and won three state titles in Missouri before adding a fourth after a move to Stillwater, Oklahoma.

The two-time NCAA qualifier will compete for the 157-pound slot and will compete in the Soldier Salute. 

“He’s a real quality person and wrestler,” Smith said about Travis. “His dad wrestled here, his uncle wrestled here, and I think his mom cheered here too, and was a graduate from here. 

“So a very big Mizzou family. I know his grandparents well; they live up here, and so I see them all the time. For him to come back, it's definitely put some excitement in the community to have a local kid back home. He's going to have to battle J (Conway) for the spot, and we'll see how they do with that at the Soldier Salute. But he's definitely a tough, tough wrestler and a tough kid that wanted to be home. So that's good.”

Recruiting Class Could Grow

Smith signed a 2026 class of five wrestlers, but that could change.

“You never know with the portal. In today's day and age, right now, we won't have 30 guys on the roster with the guys coming in and the amount we have graduating,” Smith said. “We're going to wait and see who enters the portal and see if there's some of the weights that we might need. 

“You also get late bloomers in high school, where some kids really step up and pop out. Between that and the portal, it’s an interesting time.”

Time For One Dual, Then Down Time

Missouri travels to Northern Iowa (2-2) on Dec. 14 and then won’t compete again until the Soldier Salute on Jan. 3-4 in Coralville, Iowa.

“We’ll be ready for a fight because a (Doug) Schwab-coached team, they're going to come out and be physical, there's no doubt about it,” Smith said. “We haven't beaten Northern Iowa in a couple of years now, so it's one we want to get back to winning again. We're ready for it and are excited to go up there.”

After the Tigers’ 12th dual meet, they’ll hit the room for individual drilling to focus on areas of need.

“One of the areas we're going to work on is just getting better on top,” Smith said. “The guys who are doing well are really committed to the ride, and the guys who aren't are definitely not committed to the ride. We've got to be better there, so we'll work on those areas.”