Bowl Projections 2024-2025!

[Escambia94]

When the Gators lost to Tennessee on October 12, I stopped thinking about bowl projections and started thinking about replacing Billy Napier. Since then, the Gators have gone 3-2, 3-0 at home, and 4-0 when DJ Lagway starts and finishes a game. By most accounts, the Gators were one DJ Lagway injured hamstring away from upsetting the Georgia Bulldogs in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. With the 2-9 listless FSU Criminoles next on the schedule, the 2024-2025 Gators have an opportunity to go 7-5 with an opportunity for 8-5 with a bowl win. Here are the latest bowl projections.

Gasparilla Bowl, December 20, 2024; Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
- Virginia Tech (247 Sports)
- South Florida (College Football Network, Hodgkinson)
- West Virginia (CBS Sports, Palm)

Birmingham Bowl, December 27, 2024; Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
- North Carolina State

Liberty Bowl, December 27, 2024; Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, TN
- TCU (ESPN, Schlabach)

TransPerfect Music City Bowl, December 30, 2024; Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
- Michigan (ESPN, Bonagura)
- Louisiana (ESPN, Schlabach)

 

[DRU2012]

I don't care too much about WHICH bowl, long as it isn't NO BOWL at this point. That hurdle behind us, we can move on.
My gut says "the later the better" is preferable, just from the P.O.V. of "staying in the spotlight" during holiday season...With the current crazy pay-for-play/"musical chairs" routine that the post- and inter-season has become, NONE of these "Hardly If Ever Heard of Them-Bowls" are particularly attractive...BUT--
Just think: By your own "damn close/IF ONLY"s above, E-- (and my own eyes, by the way), THIS Gator team was a healthy DJ away from 9-3 and at least TALK of potential inclusion in the CFB Playoff, in what might have been one of the most dramatic TURNAROUNDS in modern CFB History!
Hell, since that first bye-week, the way this whole TEAM elevated its game with DJ in there suggests that even the Texas game might at least have been competitive.
But it all means nothing if we don't go out and "take care of business" versus the Criminoles (NOT "cinnamon rolls"--I LIKE cinnamon rolls!) Saturday.
As in "BEAT 'EM!"--Take them out behind the woodshed and administer a severe caning!
They've beaten us home and away last coupla years--gloated and rubbed it IN EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, too.
We'll keep this mainly to ourselves for now...No trolling their sites, descending to THEIR level.
But we want this one BAD, Coach:
This is one time Gentleman Billy needs to turn the dogs LOOSE. Let his charges step on their necks, kick 'em when they're down...
THIS week's rallying cry:
"PUT 'EM OUT OF THEIR MISERY!"l
Consider it "a step along the way", Coach.
Another important learning experience re "How it is done in the SEC":
Spurrier Lesson One--"Hang half a hunnert on 'em!"
We'll get back to all the rest in the Spring.
For now let's finish right and simple.

 

[Escambia94]

Updated projections:

CBS - Gasparilla Bowl vs Memphis (10-2)
ESPN - Liberty Bowl vs TCU (8-4)
ESPN - Gator Bowl vs #23 Syracuse (9-3)

 

[DRU2012]

I guess I'd most likely to see us play Syracuse in the Gator Bowl--most exciting AND highest-national-profile game, played on January 2 (and ONLY game that evening).
Probably the toughest, hottest opponent at the moment--but, as I THINK most of our team will PLAY in this one, it'd be a good, memorably exciting game, enjoyable to watch.

 

[Leakfan12]

Gasparilla Bowl is likely especially with a Gator fan base in the Tampa Bay area.

 

[Escambia94]

Gator Bowl representatives were present at a couple of Gator games. They know that Gator fans would instantly sell out the Gator Bowl. If the Gators do play in that bowl game, I hope they wear longer cleats. The field is falling into disrepair as they prepare for renovations that include removing the TifTurf and replacing it with artificial turf. Note that both UF and UGA use the same TifTurf.

 

[DRU2012]

Gator Bowl representatives were present at a couple of Gator games. They know that Gator fans would instantly sell out the Gator Bowl. If the Gators do play in that bowl game, I hope they wear longer cleats. The field is falling into disrepair as they prepare for renovations that include removing the TifTurf and replacing it with artificial turf. Note that both UF and UGA use the same TifTurf.

Oh yeah--the deadly turf that git DJ injured (and saved UGA's ASS!
FORGOT about that. Well, maybe we pass, go to Tampa...Longer cleats not necessarily enough...

 

[Escambia94]

Bowl game selections should be official on Sunday.

Predictions include:

• Bill Bender, Sporting News: Florida vs. TCU in the Liberty Bowl. Dec. 27
• Brett McMurphy, Action HQ: Florida vs. Iowa in the Reliaquest Bowl. Dec. 31
• Jerry Palm, CBSSports.com: Florida vs. Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl. Dec. 20
• Athlon Sports: Louisville vs Florida in the Gator Bowl, Jan. 2
• USA Today: Florida vs. Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl, Dec. 27
• The Athletic: Florida vs. Duke in the Gator Bowl. Jan. 2
• College Football News: Florida vs. North Carolina in the Gasparilla Bowl, Dec. 20
• College Football Network, the Action Network and 247 Sports: Florida vs. Michigan in the Reliaquest Bowl, Dec. 31

 

[DRU2012]

Latest buzz has us (AGAIN!) playing Michigan New Year's Eve in the "ReliaQuest--" (formerly "The Outback--") Bowl against Syracuse...a matchup (debateably) "highest profile" among the various possibilities open to BOTH institutions, I suppose--though hardly an exciting prospect for Gator Fans, anyway.
I suppose my OWN preference, just from the P.O.V. of a Gator looking forward to an exciting game played before a near-home-hyped crowd of rabid Gator fans in Jacksonville, the
<r probably thus be the likely largest potential national audience for a non-playoff game this time around.B>loop
(Most interesting, highest profile game, featured ALONE that day on national TV...Remember: Portal completion ongoing and further vying for placement among top programs regarding last minute depth fills!)