The 1950 Gator Bowl was the fifth edition of the Gator Bowl and featured the Maryland Terrapins representing the University of Maryland and the Missouri Tigers representing the University of Missouri. It was the first-ever meeting of the two teams. The game was described as a "proving ground" for the split-T formation, which was employed by both teams. Several prominent Southern coaches were in attendance at the game to watch the formation, including Bob Neyland of Tennessee, Wally Butts of Georgia Tech, Frank Howard of Clemson, George Barclay of Washington & Lee, and Tom Nugent of VMI.