Missouri State football bowl game predictions, where Bears could land

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Missouri State football bowl game predictions, where Bears could land

Missouri State football is playing in the program’s first-ever bowl game in the Bears‘ inaugural FBS season.

Missouri State was originally ineligible to play in a bowl game as a program transferring from the FCS to the FBS, but still petitioned the NCAA for eligibility in early November following the team’s sixth win of the season. The petition turned out to be moot, though. With Auburn losing the Iron Bowl to Alabama on Saturday night, there weren’t enough six-win teams to qualify for all 41 bowls, which allowed the Bears, as well as fellow FBS newcomer Delaware, to clinch a spot over any 5-7 teams.

The matchups for all 41 bowl games will be announced on Sunday. Here’s where the media is projecting Missouri State to play in bowl season:

USA Today Sports: Cure Bowl vs Georgia Southern

USA Today Sports is projecting the Bears to take on the Georgia Southern Eagles in the Cure Bowl. The Cure Bowl is set to kick off on December 17 from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Missouri State fans hold signs and display a poster asking the NCAA to allow the Bears to play in a bowl game following six wins in the team’s first FBS season, on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Springfield.

ESPN: Myrtle Beach Bowl vs Arkansas State, TBA vs Utah State

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura projects Missouri State to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. for the Myrtle Beach Bowl on December 19. Meanwhile, Mark Schlabach projects the Bears to play in the former Bahamas Bowl against the Utah State Aggies. The date, stadium, and kickoff time for that game are to be announced at a later date.

CBS Sports: First Responder Bowl vs Texas State

CBS Sports projects that Missouri State will play the Texas State Bobcats at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, December 26.

Sports Illustrated: Birmingham Bowl vs Arkansas State

Sports Illustrated also has the Bears taking on Arkansas State, but in the Birmingham Bowl, held at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. on Monday, December 29.

The Athletic: 68 Ventures Bowl vs Louisiana

The Athletic projects Missouri State to take on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in the 68 Ventures Bowl, which is set to be held on December 17 at Hancock-Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football bowl game predictions, where Bears could land

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