The 1981 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri as a member of the Big Eight Conference (Big 8) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season.
Led by fourth-year head coach Warren Powers, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 8–4 with a mark of 3–4 in conference play, placing fifth in the Big 8.
Missouri was invited to the Tangerine Bowl, in which they defeated Southern Miss by a score of 19–17.
The team played home game at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri.
[13] Missouri's first win versus Oklahoma since 1969.