In the ever-changing landscape of college athletics (and college football especially) bowl games have taken a far back seat in terms of importance and fan interest. From player opt-outs to playoff talk taking all the oxygen from the room, it can be hard to put much passion into what is (and has always been) a glorified exhibition game. Despite all that, there are reasons for Mizzou fans to watch and care about the Tigers’ Gator Bowl appearance on Dec. 27. So I decided to rank them:
1. Going for 30
The Gator Bowl
is a chance to put a clean, historic number on what has already been one of the most successful stretches in program history. A victory would give Mizzou 30 wins over a three year span, a benchmark that has only accomplished once-ish in Tiger history. Gary Pinkel won 30 games in three years from 2006-2008 and again from 2007-2009, though the ’07 and ‘08 years did the heavy lifting. For fans who lived through the 80s and 90s, 30 wins should matter. It is a reminder that this era has produced sustained winning, not just one memorable run.
2. Hardy going for the record
Ahmad Hardy’s season has already been special, but the bowl stage adds one more chance for him to etch his name deeper into the record book. He has already reached the record books with his 300-yard performance in a single game, ranking second in Mizzou history to Devin West. But he wants, and Mizzou fans want more.
Cody Schrader holds the official single game record at 1,627 from his special 2023 season. Hardy currently sits at #4 on the list with 1,560 yards, meaning he’s only 67 yards away from history. Whether it is a single game mark, a season total or simply another showcase performance, the Gator Bowl gives Hardy a national audience and one more opportunity to remind everyone why he became the centerpiece of Mizzou’s offense. The chance to see history seems like a pretty good reason to care to me.
3. The Beginning of the Zollers Era?
Bowl games often serve as a bridge between seasons, and that is especially true at quarterback. With the departure of Beau Pribula, Matt Zollers is set for the third start of his career. While his previous two starts were less than spectacular, the extended bowl preparations (and the fact that he won’t be facing an SEC defense) may allow him to enter this game a bit more prepared. While Zollers’ performance in the Gator Bowl won’t determine what the coaching staff chooses to do in the portal regarding the quarterback position, a strong showing may help fans feel better about the next era of Mizzou quarterbacking.
4. An opportunity to finish the season ranked
Similar to reason #1, the Tigers have an opportunity to finish the season ranked in the AP poll for the third consecutive season, something that hasn’t been done in 15 years. Polls simultaneously matter and they don’t. They don’t matter much for remembering the 2025 team, but they do matter moving into 2026. Finishing the season ranked carries weight in recruiting and in public perception. The chances the Tigers enter next season ranked or at least close to the rankings improve greatly with a Gator Bowl victory and an end-of-season ranking.
5. The historic Gator Bowl
Sure, the prestige of bowl games has dropped precipitously in recent years, but if you’re team doesn’t make the playoffs, landing in the Gator Bowl is about as good as it can get. Historically, the Gator Bowl sits just below the New Year’s Six in terms of brand, importance and prestige, and that still means something me, dammit! It is a respected destination with a long history and a national broadcast. For players, it (hopefully) feels like a reward. For fans, it signals that the season cleared a meaningful bar. This is not a consolation trip. It is a bowl that suggests the program belongs in serious conversations.
6. A fun, rare match up
Bowl season (at least should) thrives on novelty and this game delivers on that. Despite Mizzou and Virginia’s combined 272 years of football, these two programs have only ever played each other once (a Tiger victory in 1973.) It’s fun to see the Tigers play new, different teams, especially good teams that will provide competitive games. This one checks all those boxes.
7. Last time to see seniors in black and gold
While this means less and less every year, as fewer and fewer players stay at one school for four (or five or six or seven) years, it’s still special to see the seniors play their last game as Tigers. Especially guys like Daylan Carnell, Connor Tollison and Logan Muckey, who have spent their entire careers in black and gold. Those players carried Mizzou through wins, losses and expectations. Caring about the bowl game is, in part, caring about sending them out with appreciation and attention.
8. Prime time on ABC
Timing matters. A prime time Saturday kickoff on broadcast television puts Mizzou in the national spotlight when most fans are actually watching. There is no work the next morning, no rushing through dinner, no half attention. It is the kind of window that makes a game feel bigger and more communal. When more eyes are on the Tigers, the moment carries more weight. Knowing the nation is watching the Tigers win (fingers crossed) will mean a whole lot more than a Tuesday day game on ESPN Ocho.
9. It’s more Mizzou football
This reason should not need much explanation. To be honest, I could put this one #1 and I’d feel good about it. The season is finite, and every additional game is a gift. Once the bowl is over, the wait begins again. Caring about the Gator Bowl is simply appreciating one more afternoon or evening of familiar uniforms, familiar traditions and familiar frustrations. For fans who plan fall Saturdays around kickoff times, more football is reason enough.
10. It will give you something to do that is not talking to your weird uncle
Bowl games live in the heart of the holiday season, and sometimes they provide a necessary escape. The Gator Bowl offers a socially acceptable reason to turn on the TV, check your phone or change the subject. In that sense, caring about the game is not just fandom. It is survival. No, Uncle Jerry, I don’t want to discuss immigration or income taxes, I’m watching the GOTDAM GATOR BOWL, BABY!
