Florida football was unable to bounce back from its first loss of the season, succumbing to South Carolina in their homecoming game in Week 6, 38-19. It has been a harsh reality check for the Gators after starting the Jon Sumrall era with four straight wins — including a signature victory over Ole Miss.
After the dust settled on Week 6's college football action, USA TODAY Sports editor Erick Smith unveiled his latest bowl game projections, with Sumrall and Co. landing in the Gator Bowl — the same venue he offered in his predictions last week — against Maryland.
The Gators and Terrapins have faced off on the collegiate gridiron a total of 18 times dating back to 1927, with UF holding a firm 12-6 lead all-time between the two schools after winning
the last three meetings. Six of those games have come on a neutral field; Florida has won four of those, most recently a 56-23 Orange Bowl triumph in 2001.
Florida has played in the Gator Bowl nine times since 1952 with seven wins. UF previously participated in the Sunshine State event during Will Muschamp's first season on the sidelines in 2012, beating Ohio State, 24-17. Florida's last loss in a Gator Bowl game was in 1975, when Maryland shut out Doug Dickey's squad, 13-0.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida projected for this in-state bowl game after Week 6 loss
