Why Eli Drinkwitz doesn’t expect many Gator Bowl opt-outs for Missouri football
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Eli Drinkwitz is trying to buck the bowl-games-don’t-matter trend.
The Missouri football coach, on a podcast appearance with Outkick on Monday, took a jab at postseason opt-outs, which has been a hot topic in the past few years in college football. Usually, it’s about players. This year, we’re talking about teams.
Notre Dame, Iowa State and Kansas State each opted out of a bowl game over the course of the past few days.
The Fighting Irish rejected any and all bowl advances after a CFP snub, throwing a wrench in the ACC’s bowl designations and assignments. The Cyclones and Wildcats are going through late-cycle coaching changes, as Matt Campbell took the Penn State job and was replaced by Wazzu’s Jimmy Rogers, and Chris Kleiman retired and was replaced by former Kansas State QB and Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein. KSU and ISU were fined $500,000 by the Big 12 for opting out of bowl games.
Drinkwitz doesn’t tend to let chances to put his tongue in his cheek pass him by.
“Some people say ‘anytime, anywhere,’” Drinkwitz said. “I guess some people mean it, some people don’t.”
The Mizzou coach is taking a different approach to the Tigers’ bowl opportunity, projecting excitement and gratitude.
Missouri (8-4) will take on Virginia (10-3), the ACC regular-season champion, in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Cavaliers, despite losing to Duke in overtime in their conference title game, don’t seem to need much motivation to keep rolling. This is UVA’s first bowl appearance in six years.
In a Zoom meeting with reporters Tuesday, both Drinkwitz and Virginia coach Tony Elliott did their darndest to show how much this game means. The easiest way to prove that is by how many of their star players will show up.
Drinkwitz does not expect many player opt-outs.
“I feel for the most part,” Drinkwitz said, “that we’re going to be as close to full strength as we can.”
Of course, that can change.
The Tigers have had two players announce an intention to transfer. Maybe a majority of the players who intend to transfer will wait until the Jan. 2 opening date to announce that decision. The odds suggest more players will get a headstart on the process before then.
Mizzou also has a handful of players who are either running out of eligibility and headed for the NFL Draft process, as well as a standout trio who can declare early. Zion Young is getting some first- and second-round buzz. Connor Tollison, Toriano Pride Jr. and Chris McClellan are in the conversation for a draft pick.
The Tigers will also get decisions from junior defensive end Damon Wilson II, left tackle Cayden Green and redshirt sophomore Josiah Trotter each will learn their grades in the upcoming week, per Drinkwitz.
All three are projected draft picks right now. The question for them will be whether another year in college can improve their position.
But, it seems that Mizzou expects a bulk of the seniors, at least, to travel and play in Duval County.
“I haven’t had any NFL declarations yet,” Drinkwitz said. “You know, those grades for underclassmen will come back this week. So, I think there’s still things that could change, but as of now, I feel very confident in our senior class wanting to play and play at a high level. So, as soon as I get that information, I’ll make it public.”
For what it’s worth, Virginia appears — from early observations — to be even more up for the trip to Jacksonville.
Head coach Tony Elliott, who was the ACC’s coach of the year, played in his first bowl game as a member of the Clemson football team in the Gator Bowl.
More importantly, the Cavaliers, who likely were an ACC title-game win over Duke away from making the College Football Playoff, haven’t played in a bowl since 2019. That means all but one of Virginia’s senior class has never been to a bowl, the coach said.
Elliott, the former Clemson offensive coordinator who said he isn’t exactly used to sitting at home on Christmas, has pulled UVA out of the depths to get a postseason game.
“We’re excited to be in this building preparing for a bowl game,” Elliott said. … “That was part of the focus at the beginning of the year, ‘man, we’re going to the postseason this year.’ Excited for the staff and the families to have an opportunity to experience the bowl game.”
From a narrative standpoint, there are records at stake for both teams.
Virginia’s football program has never won 11 games in a single season, and clipping the Tigers’ claws would get them there. Mizzou is one win away from tying its program record with a 30th win in three seasons.
They’ll duke it out on the field to see who gets their record.
And, for now, the anticipation is for both teams to bring their heaviest hitters.
“For us to have an opportunity to play on ABC, 7:30 (p.m. ET) on a Saturday night versus a playoff worthy team,” Drinkwitz said, “I think is going to be tremendous competition. I know our team is really excited to be invited.”
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Why Eli Drinkwitz doesn’t expect many Gator Bowl opt-outs for Missouri
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