Bowl season always brings with it a mix of celebration and transition, and this year’s Gator Bowl is no exception. On December 27 in Jacksonville, the Virginia Cavaliers and Missouri Tigers will square off in a matchup loaded with both historical implications and roster shakeups.
For Virginia, the stakes are clear-and historic. A win would give the Cavaliers their first-ever 11-win season, a milestone that would mark a major step forward for the program.
They’re coming off a gut-wrenching 27-20 overtime loss to Duke in the ACC Championship Game, a result that stung but also showcased the grit and growth of this team. Now, with a few weeks to regroup, Virginia has a chance to cap off a strong season with a statement win.
On the other sideline, Missouri is chasing a bit of history of its own. A victory would give the Tigers nine or more wins for the third straight season-something no Missouri team has ever done.
That kind of consistency is hard to come by in today’s college football landscape, and it speaks to the foundation being built in Columbia. The Tigers ended their regular season on a high note, knocking off Arkansas 31-17 to finish 8-4.
But Missouri won’t be at full strength when they take the field in Jacksonville. The Tigers are dealing with a handful of significant absences that could impact both sides of the ball. Most notably, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kirby Moore has accepted the head coaching job at Washington State, leaving a major void in the offensive brain trust just ahead of the bowl game.
The quarterback situation is also in flux. Starter Beau Pribula has entered the transfer portal and won’t suit up for the Gator Bowl, meaning Missouri will turn to its depth chart for answers at the most important position on the field. That’s a big ask, especially against a Virginia defense that’s been opportunistic all season.
And the hits don’t stop there. Standout linebacker Josiah Trotter is sidelined with a knee injury, and tight end Brett Norfleet will miss the game with a shoulder issue. Both players have been key contributors this season, and their absence will test Missouri’s depth and adaptability on both sides of the ball.
For both programs, this game is more than just a postseason showcase-it’s a chance to cement legacies, set records, and send seniors out on a high note. In a college football landscape increasingly shaped by the transfer portal and early NFL Draft declarations, bowl games like this one offer a final chapter to a season’s story. And for Virginia and Missouri, that story still has a chance to end on a historic high.