The SEC has encountered a challenging start to bowl season, struggling to secure wins in its opening games. On December 27, No. 19 Virginia triumphed over Missouri with a score of 13-7, while No. 21 Houston edged out LSU 38-35, marking a disappointing beginning for the conference in non-playoff bowl matchups.
In the Gator Bowl, the Virginia Cavaliers faced Missouri, which was missing its starting quarterback, Beau Pribula, who opted out of the game to enter the transfer portal. Freshman Matt Zollers took over as quarterback, but it was the Tigers who struck first. Star running back Ahmad Hardy dazzled with a 43-yard rush early in the game, leading to a touchdown by Jamal Roberts that gave Missouri a 7-0 lead.
However, that would be the only time the Tigers found the end zone. Virginia’s Will Bettridge kicked a 42-yard field goal to narrow the gap, and a second-half surge culminated in a 2-yard touchdown run by Harrison Waylee, allowing the Cavaliers to reclaim the lead. An interception by Zollers led to another field goal for Virginia, solidifying their 13-7 victory and capping their season with an impressive 11 wins.
The matchup between LSU and Houston in the Texas Bowl presented a stark contrast; it began with excitement as LSU’s Barion Brown returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers capitalized on this momentum with a second touchdown shortly afterward. Nevertheless, Houston, led by quarterback Conner Weigman, rallied back with 21 consecutive points in the first half. The back-and-forth scoring continued, but in the end, Houston emerged victorious after a late-game touchdown sealed their win.
In addition to these bowl games, four SEC teams participated in the early rounds of the College Football Playoff, with Alabama and Ole Miss advancing to the quarterfinals. Georgia, which received a first-round bye, is set to play Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, while Alabama will face Indiana in the Rose Bowl the same day.
Last year, the SEC ended its postseason with a record of 8-7, reflecting a competitive spirit that the conference is known for. Historically, the SEC boasts a solid all-time bowl record of 296 wins against 225 losses, along with 9 ties. The upcoming Music City Bowl on December 30 will provide Tennessee with another opportunity to secure a win, as they take on Illinois at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, aiming for their ninth victory of the season. Meanwhile, other SEC teams, including Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, are set to compete in their respective bowl games, indicating a promising continuation of the post-season action.