Last season, Florida football failed to earn a bowl game bid for the second time in three years after appearing in five straight postseason events prior. This fall, the Gators are just one win away from clinching a bowl berth after starting the campaign with four straight wins and a fifth last weekend.
With the dust settled on college football's Week 7 slate, Athlon Sports senior editor released his updated bowl game projections and once again foresees Florida facing Clemson in the Gator Bowl — the same opponent and matchup he predicted last week.
The Gators hold the edge in the all-time series against the Tigers dating back to 1911, with nine wins, three losses and a tie. The last time the two schools faced off on the collegiate gridiron was
in 1961 in Gainesville, where the home team prevailed, 21-17; Clemson's last victory came in 1954 — a 14-7 triumph in Jacksonville.
Florida has played in the Gator Bowl nine times dating back to 1952, with seven wins over that span. The last time UF participated in the in-state event came in 2012 during Will Muschamp's first season on the sidelines, beating Ohio State, 24-17. The last time Florida lost a Gator Bowl game was in 1975, when Maryland shut out Doug Dickey's squad, 13-0.
This week, USA TODAY Sports, Sports Illustrated, ESPN and The Athletic also projected Florida to participate in the Gator Bowl against various opponents.
Athlon Sports' Week 7 bowl projection
- Bowl: Gator Bowl
- Opponent: Clemson
- Date: Dec. 30
- Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
- Conference matchup: SEC vs. ACC
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Athlon Sports has familiar bowl game, opponent projection for Florida
