The Gator Bowl is shaping up to be a wild one as the Virginia Cavaliers and Missouri Tigers meet for just the second time ever. This game, set for EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, promises a real showcase of college football talent.
Both teams are in the AP Top 25—Virginia at No. 20, Missouri at No. 25. Each side leans heavily on a star running back who’s carried them through some tough spots this year. There’s a lot at stake: Virginia is pushing for its best season ever, while Missouri’s looking to lock in a bright future. If you’re a college football fan, you’d be hard-pressed to skip this one.
Virginia’s Historic Season
Virginia stands on the edge of something special. In 136 years of football, they’ve never hit the 11-win mark in a season.
Heading into the Gator Bowl at 10-3, head coach Tony Elliott and his squad could finally break that barrier. It’d be a huge moment for the program.
Key Players and Achievements
Most of Virginia’s success this season? That’s down to their star running back, J’Mari Taylor. Taylor tops the ACC with 1,062 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, which earned him First Team All-ACC honors.
He’s been the heartbeat of the offense. Fans are definitely hoping he can finish off the year with another big performance in Jacksonville.
Missouri’s Promising Future
Missouri, meanwhile, is hoping to build on the good vibes and set the tone for seasons to come under head coach Eli Drinkwitz. They had some rough patches midseason, but managed to finish strong.
A big reason? Their own running back, Ahmad Hardy. Hardy leads the nation with 130.0 rushing yards per game and has picked up All-American honors along the way.
The Matt Zollers Era
Things got interesting for Missouri when starting quarterback Beau Pribula went down with an injury. Suddenly, freshman Matt Zollers was in the spotlight.
Zollers, a four-star recruit, showed some flashes—three touchdowns to just one interception in three SEC games. Now, with Pribula heading to the transfer portal, Zollers has a real shot to grab the starting job for the long haul.
Coaching Stability and Future Prospects
Missouri’s doubled down on head coach Eli Drinkwitz with a new six-year contract, paying him $10.75 million a year. It’s a serious commitment.
This move helps keep key players like Hardy around—he’s already re-signed through 2026. That kind of stability could be the difference as Missouri tries to level up in the next few years.
Game Details and Predictions
The Gator Bowl kicks off Saturday, Dec. 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. If you’re streaming, you can catch it on Fubo.
Most experts seem to lean Missouri’s way, despite Virginia’s regular season. Maybe it’s Hardy’s ground game, or maybe it’s just a gut feeling, but the Tigers might just have the edge here. If you forced me to pick, I’d say Missouri by a touchdown—maybe more, if things break right.
Conclusion
The Gator Bowl between Virginia and Missouri? It’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting games outside the College Football Playoff bracket.
Virginia’s got some historic milestones in sight. Missouri, on the other hand, is looking at a really promising future.
If you’re into college football at all, this game feels like a can’t-miss. Two top-25 teams, and honestly, who doesn’t want to see how it shakes out?
For more detailed insights and predictions on this matchup, visit the full article on CBS Sports.
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