The Florida Gators will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Gator Bowl which quite possible could be better named the Urban Meyer bowl since he will be helping face off against his former school and interim coach Luke Fickell.
The Buckeyes (6-6) will head to Jacksonville on Jan. 2 for the event which gained a unanimous decision. The committee also had Penn State under consideration. The committees decision was based off setting a good matchup, the ability to sell tickets and the ability for fans from both schools to travel to the event and watch it on TV.
In their final ruling the committee said Penn State’s appearance in the Outback Bowl last year ultimately led their decision.
According to Gator Bowl president Rick Catlett:
“Regardless of the type of year these two teams have had, they’re still recognized around the country as two of the traditional powers in college football,” while adding “With Urban Meyer taking the Ohio State job, we think this will motivate Florida fans to attend the game.”
In the meantime the Gators (6-6) will be making their 21st bowl appearance, the second longest streak nationally, falling only behind Florida State’s 30 consecutive years.
The Gators will play in a January bowl for a seventh consecutive year in a row but for Ohio State it’s only the second ever appearance in the bowl, their first was a loss to Clemson in 1978.
Who will you be cheering for during the Florida and Ohio State matchup?
[Image via Jeff Kinsey / Shutterstock.com ]
