“Florida is the job for you,” “Need a 24 team playoff”: Fans react to Missouri HC Eli Drinkwitz slamming “playoffs or bust” mentality

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz believes there's more to college football than reaching the playoffs. According to On3 Sports, Drinkwitz said,

"We gotta get out of this ‘Oh man, it’s playoffs or bust,' If the season only counts for 12 football teams, and we got 127 D1 football teams, that math’s not gonna math very well... There’s a whole heck of a lot to be proud of."

College football fans saw his comments and took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their reactions.

A fan said, "Then Florida is the job for you young man!" Another added, "Coaches now a days are too happy with being mid and precipitation Awards" One wrote, "Says the guy who just got eliminated from the playoffs…."

Some fans were more understanding of his take,

One said, "This is why we need a 24 team playoff! Including this many teams would still be a smaller percentage of teams making a playoff than amount of teams we let in NCAA basketball" Another stated, "He is correct. The playoff format has eliminated the joys of what used to be just making a bowl for some teams. We used to get excited about simply playing in notable games like the Fiesta or Rose. Now there is no excitement if you don't make playoffs. The game has changed a lot" One chimed in, adding, "He’s not wrong. Most teams start a season with 0 chance at the playoff. If they don’t make it then what? And there are also different levels of success."

Eli Drinkwitz took over the Missouri Tigers head coach gig after a successful spell with the Appalachian State Mountaineers. He has led the Tigers to three consecutive winning seasons and has been one of college football's most consistent sides.

Drinkwitz believes that the playoff-or-bust mentality is adversely affecting the game.

Eli Drinkwitz's Missouri up against Mississippi State in Week 12

Eli Drinkwitz's Missouri Tigers will host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their final home game of the 2025 college football season. The game will close out what's been an interesting season at home for the Tigers.

The Missouri Tigers have lost just three games this season. One was a home game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the next was at the home ground of the Vanderbilt Commodores, and the most recent loss was against the Texas A&M Aggies at home.

Up next for Eli Drinkwitz's troops is a showdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are 5-5 entering the game. They're one win away from securing bowl game eligibility, and would love to spoil the party at the Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.

With both teams looking to win for pride and bowl game status, here's what you need to know about watching the game.

• Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
• Livestream: FuboTV and DAZN
• Time: 6:45 p.m. CT
• TV Channel: SEC Network
• Venue: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium

Edited by Nick Igbokwe