| Year: | 1997 |
| Team: | Missouri Tigers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big 12 Conference |
| Division: | North Division |
| Short Conf: | Big 12 |
| Coachrank: | 23 |
| Aprank: | 23 |
| Record: | 7–5 |
| Conf Record: | 5–3 |
| Head Coach: | Larry Smith |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Off Coach: | Jerry Berndt |
| Oc Year: | 4th |
| Def Coach: | Moe Ankney |
| Dc Year: | 4th |
| Stadium: | Faurot Field |
| Bowl: | Holiday Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 24–35 vs. Colorado State |
The 1997 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. The 1997 Tigers went 7 - 5 (5 - 3 in Big 12 play), ending a streak of 13 consecutive losing seasons. However, the Tigers lost to Colorado State, 35 - 24, in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. They played their home games at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri. They were members of the Big 12 Conference in the North Division. The team was coached by head coach Larry Smith.
The loss to eventual the national champion, (and then top-ranked) Nebraska in overtime came after the infamous Flea Kicker play. This was a deflection reception off an unintentionally kicked pass as the receiver that was falling and tried pull the ball to his chest with his foot, resulting in a deflection off the foot that another receiver was able to dive a catch.
See also: 1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings.
| Name | Position | Seasons at Missouri | Alma mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Smith | Head coach | 4 | Bowling Green (1961) |
| Jerry Berndt | Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks | 4 | Wisconsin–Superior (1960) |
| Curtis Jones | Running back, tight end & defensive line | 8 | Missouri (1968) |
| David Mitchell | Running backs | 1 | Arkansas State |
| Andy Hill | Wide receivers | 2 | Missouri (1985) |
| Andy Moeller | Offensive line | 5 | Michigan (1986) |
| Moe Ankney | Defensive coordinator | 4 | Bowling Green (1963) |
| Ricky Hunley | Defensive line & linebackers | 4 | Arizona (1984) |
| Jon Hoke | Defensive backs | 4 | Ball State (1980) |
See also: 1997 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team.
See also: 1997 Kansas Jayhawks football team and Border War (Kansas-Missouri rivalry).
See also: 1997 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team.
See also: 1997 Ohio State Buckeyes football team.
See also: 1997 Iowa State Cyclones football team.
See also: 1997 Kansas State Wildcats football team.
See also: 1997 Texas Longhorns football team.
See also: 1997 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team.
See also: 1997 Colorado Buffaloes football team.
See also: 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, Missouri-Nebraska football rivalry and Flea Kicker.
See also: 1997 Baylor Bears football team.
See also: 1997 Colorado State Rams football team.