Mizzou will play the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2024 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
The college football season is winding down, and one question is on every Mizzou fan’s mind: who will mizzou play in the bowl game? After a strong season, the Tigers have earned a spot in the postseason. The anticipation has been building as bowl game selections were announced.
Finally, the opponent is revealed! Mizzou will face off against a familiar foe from the Big 12, the Kansas State Wildcats in what should be an exciting matchup in the Liberty Bowl. Fans are ready to see this team compete one last time.
Who Will Mizzou Play in the Bowl Game?
It’s the question on every Missouri Tigers fan’s mind as the regular season winds down: who will Mizzou play in the bowl game? Figuring out the answer isn’t always easy, because many things can change how the bowl matchups are made. We’re going to break down all the important parts of figuring out Mizzou’s bowl game opponent, so you can be ready for the big day!
Understanding Bowl Game Selection
First, let’s understand how bowl games work. It’s not just about picking teams at random. Most bowl games have agreements with specific conferences. This means that teams from certain conferences usually play in a specific set of bowl games. For the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where Mizzou plays, this means several bowls are possibilities each year.
Think of it like a big sports puzzle where bowls and conferences fit together. The higher a team finishes in its conference standings, the more likely they are to play in a bigger bowl game. But, things like the team’s record, who they’ve already played, and where they are ranked in the polls can affect where they go.
The SEC Bowl Tie-Ins
The SEC has many bowl tie-ins, meaning the conference has a contract with specific bowls. Here are some of the bowl games Mizzou could potentially play in:
- The College Football Playoff (CFP) Bowls: This is the very top level. If Mizzou has an amazing season and is one of the top four teams in the country, they could make it to these playoffs. The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl are part of the CFP rotation sometimes and are major games.
- New Year’s Six Bowls: These are big-time games that happen around the New Year. Some examples are the Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl. These are very popular and are considered prestigious to play in.
- Citrus Bowl: A pretty prestigious bowl in Orlando, Florida, that’s usually the next big step after the New Year’s Six.
- ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly Outback Bowl): Another game in Florida, usually with a good SEC opponent.
- Gator Bowl: This game takes place in Jacksonville, Florida. It is another great SEC matchup bowl.
- Music City Bowl: Played in Nashville, Tennessee, this is also a good potential landing spot.
- Texas Bowl: A game played in Houston, Texas.
- Liberty Bowl: In Memphis, Tennessee, the Liberty Bowl is another option.
- Birmingham Bowl: A game in Alabama, which could be a possibility.
This list is not exhaustive, and specific bowl destinations can vary each year. Bowl selection committees also consider things like geography, fan base travel, and overall matchups that will generate great interest.
How Mizzou’s Season Impacts Bowl Selection
Mizzou’s performance throughout the football season plays a big role in determining which bowl game they go to. Here’s a closer look at the factors that influence the selection:
Win-Loss Record
This is a very big deal. The more games Mizzou wins, the better bowl game they are likely to get. A team with 9 wins will usually go to a better bowl than a team with only 6 wins. Teams with losing records often don’t get a bowl invite, but sometimes teams with 6-6 records can play in a bowl because there are more bowl games than there are teams with winning records.
Conference Standing
Where Mizzou finishes in the SEC standings is also very important. The SEC is a tough conference, and how well Mizzou does compared to other SEC teams directly impacts where they go. A team in second place may be headed to a New Year’s Six Bowl, while a team in fifth place might be headed to a lesser bowl. If Mizzou were to win the SEC Championship, they are likely going to the playoffs!
- Winning the SEC East or West Division: If Mizzou wins their division, they’ll play in the SEC Championship Game. That win would get them a great bowl.
- Finishing high in the conference standings: The top teams from each division get better bowl game selections.
Strength of Schedule
Bowl committees also look at the strength of schedule that the teams played during the season. This means they look at how good the other teams were that Mizzou played. Winning against good teams helps boost a team’s bowl selection chances.
National Rankings
The weekly national polls from the AP, Coaches Poll, and College Football Playoff committee matter a lot. These rankings are very important for choosing teams for the big bowl games. A higher ranking means that a team has a better chance at a prestigious bowl game.
Other Factors
Several smaller things can influence the decision:
- Fan Base: Bowl committees like teams that travel well because they will sell tickets.
- TV Market: Teams from big cities or markets with many TV viewers can be more appealing to bowls because they bring good ratings.
- Matchup: Bowls try to create interesting matchups that fans will want to watch.
Potential Opponents
Now, let’s think about who Mizzou could actually play in the bowl game. Since the bowls are typically tied to conferences, Mizzou will most likely play a team from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, or a top team from another conference if that team was not picked for a CFP spot. Here are some possibilities:
Teams From the ACC
The ACC is one of the top leagues in college football, and Mizzou could face a team like Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, Louisville, or another strong team. The exact matchup depends on where each team ends up in the standings at the end of the season.
Teams From the Big 10
A game against a Big 10 team can be really exciting. Teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, or a strong team like Iowa, Wisconsin, or others could be on the other side of the field. The Big 10 is known for its tough teams and big crowds.
Teams from the Big 12
There are a lot of exciting possibilities with the Big 12. Mizzou could face teams like Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State, or other exciting teams, depending on their rankings and bowl spots. These games are usually very high-scoring and fun to watch.
Teams from other conferences
Sometimes, Mizzou could also face a team from another conference. This might include teams from the Pac-12 or even a non-power conference team that had an outstanding season, especially if they had a really great winning record.
Tracking the Bowl Projections
How can you stay up-to-date on Mizzou’s bowl game possibilities? Here’s what to do:
- Follow Sports Websites: Websites such as ESPN, CBS Sports, and others have weekly bowl projections. These predictions are updated constantly. These websites usually have people who try to figure out which teams will play in which games.
- Listen to Sports Radio: Local and national sports radio shows will talk about the bowl projections as the regular season comes to a close.
- Look on Social Media: Social media is a very fast way to get updated bowl news. Many journalists who follow college football share the bowl projections as they happen.
- Follow Local Sports News: Check your local newspapers and local news channels for information about Mizzou’s bowl outlook.
Why Bowl Games are Important
Bowl games are more than just extra games at the end of the season. They matter a lot to the team and the fans:
- National Exposure: Bowl games are played on TV, and this gives Mizzou a chance to show the nation how good they are.
- End the season strong: A win in a bowl game means that the season ends on a high note.
- Momentum for the next year: Winning a bowl game can give the team a great boost of confidence for the next season.
- Recruiting: Playing in a big bowl game can make Mizzou a more attractive school for great high school players.
- Fan Engagement: It’s a chance for fans to travel, support the team, and have a great time!
The Waiting Game
The weeks leading up to the official bowl selections are fun and exciting! It is natural for fans to speculate, but the best thing to do is to follow the official announcements. The real bowl game selections happen usually a few days after the conference championship games take place.
While we wait, stay up-to-date on Mizzou’s season, look at what others predict, and most of all enjoy the final games of the season. When the bowl selection is announced, let’s all cheer the Tigers on! The opponent and location will become clear soon enough, and it will be an exciting time for Mizzou fans.
So there you have it! While we don’t know exactly who Mizzou will play just yet, we have gone over what goes into determining their opponent and where they might travel. Keeping track of the team’s performance during the rest of the year, and using the sources mentioned above will help you get the information you need. Let’s go Mizzou!
Music City Bowl: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Missouri Tigers | Full Game Highlights | ESPN College Football
Final Thoughts
Mizzou’s strong season earned them a bowl game berth. The team performed well and the anticipation for their postseason matchup is high. This upcoming game presents a chance to build momentum.
Several possible opponents exist for Mizzou. Conference affiliations and bowl selection committees make the final decisions. Fans must be patient as the official announcement approaches.
Ultimately, the question is simple: who will mizzou play in the bowl game? We will soon find out where Mizzou’s bowl game will be and who they will must face.
