The Missouri State Bears are set to make their FBS debut in 2025 as they join Conference USA. To prepare for this transition, the Bears have scheduled home-and-home series with ACC’s SMU Mustangs and Sun Belt’s Marshall Thundering Herd. The game against SMU is set for September 13, 2025, with a return trip to Dallas scheduled for September 26, 2026. The series with Marshall will kick off on September 6, 2025, in West Virginia, with the Herd visiting Springfield on September 19, 2026. These matchups will be the first time Missouri State faces either opponent.
In addition to these games, the Bears will also play at Arkansas and host FCS foe UT Martin in their inaugural FBS non-conference schedule. Looking ahead to 2026, Missouri State has a game scheduled with Kansas State on September 5, with another non-conference opponent yet to be determined. Head coach Ryan Beard, who recently received an extension, will guide the Bears through their final FCS season, starting on August 31 against Montana.
The announcement of these non-conference matchups adds to the excitement surrounding Missouri State’s transition to the FBS level, with fans eager to see how the Bears will fare against new competition in Conference USA.
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