‘Competitors want to compete’: Mizzou football relishes opportunity to end season on high-note

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Now-a-days, change is inevitable in college athletics...and bowl games aren't immune.

In the face of the new 12-team playoff, the meaning of bowl games has changed quite a bit over the past two seasons. In fact, just in this 2025 season, college football fans have seen multiple programs decide to opt-out of a bowl, altogether. However, that was never going to be in the cards for Mizzou football.

"I think competitors want to compete. You know, we talk about all the time. Warriors always run to the fight and, you know, these guys are made to compete. They love football. If you don't love football you wouldn't do it the way we're committed to doing it," Drinkwitz said. "I know our guys are going to want to play for the Brotherhood. You know, Coach [Tony] Elliott spoke about having the opportunity to do something that's never been done before in their program. We have an opportunity to do something that's never been done before in the history of our program. Three straight seasons of nine plus wins, to finish the season ranked three three consecutive seasons hasn't occurred here at the University of Missouri before. Winning three straight bowl games hasn't occurred at Missouri in a long time and so, you know, you always gotta find micro-goals...We all have high goals, achievable goals and when those things don't occur, you have to find the ability to reset and refocus. That's what we've done."

You can watch the full Gator Bowl press conference with Coach Drinkwitz and Virginia head coach Tony Elliot in the video player below.

Drinkwitz added that his team had a spirited practice on Monday and expects his guys to bring that same fire into Mizzou's first appearance in the Gator Bowl since 1968.

Although both MU and Virginia still have the fire to compete in bowl games, that hasn't been the case across the country. Notre Dame decided to opt out, after falling short of a College Football Playoff berth. In addition to the Irish, Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, Florida State, Auburn, UCF, Baylor, Rutgers and Temple have all decided to sit out bowl season.

Coach Eli said he can't speak to what's going on in other people's programs, but he did speak to core of the issue.

"think from a general point of view...we got to change the calendar. I think the calendar is driving the whole decision-making and issues. You know, we're not able to finish the competitive playing season before players, coaches, administrations have to make hard decisions. You know, I think you're seeing mid-season coaches being let go because they're afraid of the high school signing day and being behind in recruiting. Now you're seeing coaches, players making decisions because, you know, they want to be ahead of the transfer portal dates. You're seeing coaches make decisions because of all those things," he said. "To me, the easiest fix is the calendar. You know, when that's addressed, I think some of these decisions can be adjusted. I don't think there's competitors that don't want to play. I don't think there's competitors that don't want to participate. I think there's decisions that have to be made because of all the different circumstances that are involved because of the calendar."

As for the 2025 edition of the Taxslayer Gator Bowl, both head coaches were excited about the matchup, as Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliot and Coach Drinkwitz have crossed paths before. In fact, the pair battled for many years in the ACC, when Drink was at NC State.

In Elliot's fourth season at the helm in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers fell just short of a trip to the College Football Playoff. Virginia lost to Duke in the ACC Championship game over the week, but still claimed the regular-season title with a 10-3 mark overall and 7-1 record in conference.

Elliot's team has faced some tough competition in the ACC, but he expects this Southeastern Conference test to bring something a little different.

"They're built a little bit different than maybe what we see in our league, from a size standpoint," he said. "They got a tremendous offensive line. Like, that's the biggest thing that jumps out to me, like, okay, what are we going to do with the size that they got up front. Now, our league is a very tough league, but I think it's it's constructed a little bit different. I think Eli mentioned that earlier on, the defensive lines are a little bit heavier and bigger in the SEC."

It'll be Virginia's first bowl appearance since 2019, which is another factor in why that group Cavaliers is excited for the opportunity to compete.

It's clear that Coach Drinkwitz has quite a bit of respect for the year that Cavaliers were able to put together, as the Tigers look to grab their first ranked win of the 2025 campaign.

"It's a difficult challenge and a worthy opponent. Again, when you get into bowl season, that's what you're looking for," Drinkwitz said.

MU does expect the team to be mostly a full-strength for the trip down to Jacksonville, Florida. Drinkwitz has already a couple of players (wide receiver James Madison and running back Brenden Haygood) decide to transfer, following the conclusion of the regular-season. Although he still needs to wait and see who will declare for the NFL Draft, he believes his senior class will want to end the season on a high note.

In a game that's all about honoring those seniors and sending them out right, Drinkwitz said he's not going to play underclassmen that haven't earned the opportunity. It's not an unusual tactic, as some teams use bowl games to test out freshmen and see what they have coming down the pipe.

"This isn't a preseason game. This is a game against ACC regular-season champions, so if somebody can help us win, they'll get to play. But, this ain't a participation trophy," Drinkwitz said. "If a young guy earns it in practice, he'll get to play. If he doesn't, he won't."

Mizzou is currently in the process of shaking the rust off and getting back into practice. The team will begin preparations for Virginia in the next few days.

Coach Drinkwitz and his team will head down the Jacksonville on Dec. 23, before taking the field at EverBank Stadium on Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. You can watch that game on ABC 17.