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(AP) -- Before Missouri dives head-first into the Southeastern Conference schedule, there's an opportunity to iron out a few kinks.

Southeastern Louisiana serves as the warm-up act on Saturday night for the Tigers, who open SEC play next weekend against No. 6 Georgia.

Nobody can deny the anticipation, and there is a feeling that the opener is just something they must get through.

Missouri was 8-5 last year. Southeastern Louisiana was 3-8 last year and is 37-63 since resuming football in 2003.

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