What to know about Missouri vs. Virginia in 81st TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
When: Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: EverBank Stadium.
TV: ABC (Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick, Kris Budden).
Radio: Touchdown Radio (J.P. Shadrick, Gino Toretta, K.C. Jones).
Records:Missouri 8-4, Virginia 10-3.
Rankings: Missouri No. 25 AP, unranked CFP and Coaches poll; Virginia No. 19 AP, No. 20 AP, No. 21 Coaches.
Coaches: Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri is 46-28 in his sixth season with the Tigers and 59-29 overall as a head coach. Tony Elliott of Virginia is 21-26 in his fourth year with the Cavaliers.
What’s the Gator Bowl history for Missouri and Virginia?
The Tigers are 1-2 in the Gator Bowl and Virginia is 0-2. Missouri’s last appearance was a 35-0 victory over Alabama in 1968. Virginia’s last appearance was a 31-28 loss to Texas Tech in 2008.
What’s the bowl history for Missouri and Virginia?
The Tigers are 17-20 in bowl games. Their last appearance was on Dec. 30, 2024, a 27-24 victory over Iowa in the Music City Bowl.
The Cavaliers are 8-13 in bowls. Their last appearance was on Dec. 30, 2019, a 36-28 loss to Florida in the Orange Bowl.
What are the Gator Bowl odds?
Missouri is a 4.5-point favorite according to BetMGM, and -200 on the money line. Virginia is +165. The over-under is 45.5.
What’s the series history between Missouri and Virginia?
Missouri leads 1-0.
What happened the last time Missouri played Virginia?
The Tigers won 31-7 on Sept. 22, 1973, in Columbia, Miss.
What’s the key Missouri-Virginia matchup?
Missouri sophomore RB Ahmad Hardy vs. Virginia junior LB Marcellus Maddox
Hardy led the SEC in rushing yards (1,560) and touchdowns (16) and is the focal point of the Tigers’ zone running game. Maddox has had to shoulder more of a load with the loss of Kam Robinson to a season-ending injury after playing eight games, and the Eastern Kentucky transfer and former Miami Pace star has been more than up to the task, eight 16 tackles and an interception in the Cavaliers’ last two games.
What’s notable about the Gator Bowl?
Missouri, as the SEC representative in the game, is the home team and Virginia will be the visitors. … This is the earliest playing of the Gator Bowl since Dec. 27, 1986 when Clemson beat Stanford 27-21. … Virginia senior safety Antonio Clary is the only First Coast player on either roster. He has 24 tackles and two interceptions this season. … Missouri has lost three wide receivers to the transfer portal (Marquis Johnson, Josh Manning and James Madison II) and tight end Brett Norfleet to an injury. Combined, they caught 40 percent of the passes for the Tigers, 39 percent of the passing yardage and 60 percent of the touchdown receptions. … Also gone to the portal is starting quarterback Beau Pribula. He likely will be replaced by freshman Matt Zollers, who threw for 402 yards and four touchdowns this season. … Virginia’s opt-outs have been minimal as of Friday., losing only junior CB Ja’Son Prevard, who had 24 tackles this season. But RB J’Mari Taylor and WR Trell Harris could opt out, according to published reports out of Virginia. … The officiating crew will be from the Big 12.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game day timeline
- 2:30 p.m.: All stadium parking lots open.
- 3:30 p.m.: Fan Fest and TaxSlayer Tailgate opens at Flex Field. Tickets to game not required.
- 4:30 p.m.: JTA shuttles begin running from Kings Avenue Lot (1200 Kings Ave.) and J. Turner Butler Boulevard lot (7000 Philips Highway). Shuttles will run continuously. Kings Avenue shuttles will begin runs from the stadium to the lot after the game begins, JTB shuttles will run from the stadium to the lot in the third quarter. Shuttles will run until one hour after the game.
- 5:30 p.m.: Stadium gates open.
- 7:30 p.m.: 81st TaxSlayer Gator Bowl kickoff.
Missouri vs. Virginia by the numbers
| Category (NCAA rank) | Missouri | Virginia |
| Rushing offense | 234.1 (8) | 184.0 (T48) |
| Passing offense | 195.2 (101) | 242.3 (54) |
| Total offense | 429.3 (25) | 426.3 (26) |
| Rushing defense | 103.3 (17) | 110.5 (23) |
| Passing defense | 171.4 (11) | 202.8 (44) |
| Total defense | 274.8 (10) | 313.3 (24) |
| Scoring offense | 32.153 (32) | 32.167 (31) |
| Turnover margin | +7 (T26) | -5 (T107) |
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Missouri vs. Virginia in Gator Bowl, odds, injuries key matchup
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos