PREGAMIN’ VIRGINIA

WELCOME BACK TO PREGAMIN’, HERE’S YOUR JAM OF THE WEEK

NICE TO SEE YA, JACKSONVILLE

I made a fewer cocktails this week, but let’s beryllium honest, there’s only 1 point I’m really drinking pinch existent consistency this clip of year: Eggnog. Apologies if you’re not a fan, but I’m crushing that nog pinch immoderate consistency. Your intoxicant of prime tin alteration pinch Eggnog, though I’m a instrumentality of bourbon (I’ll return rum successful a pinch, but I deliberation it makes everything a spot excessively sweet.) I for illustration a large bourbon too, thing barrel-proof is preferred.

Josh Matejka, Deputy Site Manager: I’m honestly a small shocked nary of my colleagues beneath mentioned nan transportation of Beau Pribula. As important arsenic it is to bring successful a caller OC, and arsenic large of a prosecute arsenic I deliberation Chip Lindsey will be, losing a starting QB astatine a programme for illustration Mizzou’s is simply a big deal. We cognize nan Tigers person been successful interaction pinch immoderate portal QBs, but there’s conscionable arsenic overmuch of a chance that Matt Zollers will beryllium nan QB1 successful 2026 astatine this point. That’s a stylistic displacement from Pribula, who underwhelmed aft a basking commencement for nan Tigers.

Nathan Hurst, Football Writer: Definitely nan departure of Kirby Moore and nan consequent prosecute of Chip Lindsey arsenic violative coordinator. Players travel and spell and often only enactment a year. Coaches tin make a overmuch greater semipermanent effect connected a programme and Lindsey’s prosecute will surely do that, for amended aliases worse. I can’t opportunity I’m thrilled pinch Drinkwitz’s determination to spell pinch Lindsey, arsenic he has a beautiful mediocre way grounds that looks a batch for illustration really Mizzou’s discourtesy has been operating. Time will show though.

Sammy Stava, Staff Writer: Transfers are going to happen. It’s conscionable portion of nan crippled — truthful it’s decidedly nan OC news. Eli Drinkwitz needs nan hiring of Chip Lindsey to spell right. There’s been a batch of differing opinions connected Lindsey and rightfully truthful — but I deliberation there’s upside present and he will decidedly request to beryllium an betterment complete Kirby Moore. We’ll spot what happens.

True Deck, Staff Writer: I’d for illustration to opportunity bringing successful Chip Lindsey was a awesome summation and arguably nan champion truthful acold for Drinkwitz and company, but I’ll alteration things up. I’ll spell pinch nan nonaccomplishment of Brad Larrondo, who was nan CEO of Mizzou’s NIL partner Every True Tiger Brands. Even though Lindsey wasn’t technically connected Mizzou’s staff, pinch nan existent authorities of NIL and each it does for a shot program, this is simply a large deal.

Josh Matejka: Miami vs. Texas A&M was a stone fight, but besides a somewhat pleasant surprise? I thought for judge nan Aggies were nan sleeper of nan full bracket, but nan Hurricanes unopen them down successful convincing fashion. I’ll beryllium seated for their 2nd information bout against Georgia.

Nathan Hurst: When it was over. A mates of nan games were close, but not good played. The games that were good played weren’t peculiarly close. I’m not complaining astir nan teams that sewage in. I deliberation nan committee sewage it right. But it was a very underwhelming information successful position of watchability.

Sammy Stava: Alabama coming down from a 17-point shortage to hit OU successful Norman. I conscionable bask watching nan Sooners lose. Miami vs Texas A&M was a bully protect conflict but having Tulane vs Ole Miss and James Madison vs Oregon arsenic nan later games wasn’t great.

True Deck: My favourite infinitesimal from nan first information of this year’s College Football Playoff was astir apt Malachi Toney’s touchdown drawback successful what I thought was going to extremity arsenic a touchdown-less title betwixt Miami and Texas. Toney is astir apt going to make nan NFL and for him to get a game-sealing touchdown pinch clip moving retired connected nan roadworthy was beautiful cool to see.

Josh Matejka: There’s rather a dearth of receivers connected this squad correct now, truthful Donovan Olugbode and Kevin Coleman, Jr. should spot plentifulness of targets. But I’d beryllium funny to get Shaun Terry connected nan section to spot what he tin do. He’s sewage a chance to put himself successful rod position to switch Coleman adjacent season, and a bully showing against nan Cavaliers would beryllium a bully start.

Nathan Hurst: Daeden Hopkins. He really flashed later connected successful nan play and still sewage to support his redshirt. With nan readiness of Zion Young and Damon Wilson up successful nan air, I deliberation Hopkins tin really commencement moving toward earning a starting spot adjacent twelvemonth pinch a beardown capacity against Virginia.

Sammy Stava: Matt Zollers is an easy reply because he’s QB1, but let’s spell pinch Donovan Olugbode astatine nan WR position because he’ll person an opportunity to look arsenic nan spell to wide receiver pinch Josh Manning and Marquis Johnson entering nan transportation portal. This is his chance to really showcase his talent and potential.

Josh Matejka: I person nary assurance whatsoever successful this crippled either way. Mizzou is starting its third-string QB, but has nan amended rushing attack. The defense is elite and whitethorn aliases whitethorn not beryllium missing a fewer starters? I’m afloat of Christmas leftovers and my encephalon is moving slow, truthful I’ll conscionable prime nan measurement my gut wants: Mizzou squeaks 1 out, but Virginia covers, 21-17.

Nathan Hurst: Can Mizzou get a win? Definitely. Will they? Ehhhh I’m not ace confident. The defense will beryllium missing immoderate pieces and Zollers hasn’t wowed yet astatine quarterback. If I had to put money connected nan -4.5 spread, I’d return Virginia. Thankfully, nary 1 is making maine put money connected nan game, truthful I’ll prime pinch my heart. Mizzou wins!

Sammy Stava: Plenty of injuries and transfers person constricted Mizzou’s roster, BUT I deliberation they person capable talent to separator a beautiful bully Virginia team. Drinkwitz will person nan boys fired up to triumph their 3rd consecutive vessel game. I’ll opportunity 24-20 Mizzou.

True Deck: I don’t spot this crippled being very breathtaking pinch a small of backups lined up to play, and Missouri’s discourtesy struggling to jumpstart each season, but I deliberation nan Tigers sneak it out. I’ll return Mizzou ugly, 18-13.