1997 Big 12 football standings
	Conf				Overall
Team		W		L		W		L
Northern Division
#2 Nebraska † xy$		8	–	0		13	–	0
#8 Kansas State %		7	–	1		11	–	1
#23 Missouri		5	–	3		7	–	5
Colorado		3	–	5		5	–	6
Kansas		3	–	5		6	–	5
Iowa State		1	–	7		1	–	10
Southern Division
#20 Texas A&M xy		6	–	2		9	–	4
#24 Oklahoma State		5	–	3		8	–	4
Texas Tech		5	–	3		6	–	5
Texas		2	–	6		4	–	7
Oklahoma		2	–	6		4	–	8
Baylor		1	–	7		2	–	9
Championship: Nebraska 54, Texas A&M 15
† – Coaches Poll National Champion $ – Bowl Alliance representative as champion % – Bowl Alliance at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

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 National Champion #1 ranked Nebraska in overtime came after the infamous Flea Kicker play.