Consistent with conference tie-ins, the game featured Virginia from the
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Missouri from the
Southeastern Conference (SEC). This was the second meeting between the programs; Missouri won their only prior meeting, in 1973.
Virginia Cavaliers The Cavaliers posted their most successful season to date under head coach
Tony Elliott, having reached 10 wins in a season for only the second time in program history after
1989. Included in their 8–1 start to the season (their best since
1990) was a seven-game winning streak, their longest since
2007. Virginia had their first appearances in an AP, Coaches, or
College Football Playoff (CFP) top 25 poll since 2019, with their initial No. 14 ranking being their highest since the inception of the CFP in 2014.
Missouri Tigers Missouri finished the regular season at 8–4. After opening the season with a non-conference slate, including a game against
Kansas, Missouri built momentum early. The season opener was part of a six-game home stretch to start 2025, the longest home stand in program history. Despite high hopes—buoyed by back-to-back 10+ win seasons prior—the Tigers hit turbulence in SEC play, finishing 4–4 in conference. On offense, Missouri averaged 32.2 points per game, while defensively they allowed just 19.4 points per game. ==Game summary==