The Florida Gators' College Football Playoff aspirations were deep-sixed by a rough 27-8 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in their Week 9 rivalry game, which also kept the Orange and Blue one win short of clinching a bowl game berth.
While it is almost certain that Florida will win at least one more game and reach the postseason after missing out last year, one cannot count the chickens before they hatch. Nonetheless, CBS Sports writer Brad Crawford included Jon Sumrall's squad in his latest bowl projections, in which he predicts they will play in the Gator Bowl against the Pitt Panthers.
"Panthers and Gators in the Gator Bowl? There's some bite to that potential matchup, especially with Florida getting a postseason stage practically in its backyard.
Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium will host the game in December, but next year's game is scheduled for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville due to ongoing renovations," Crawford notes.
"This pairing would give both programs plenty to play for beyond another postseason participation trophy — like offseason momentum. The Panthers and Gators have met once all-time, and it ended in a 17-all tie in 1977."
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.
CBS Sports' Week 9 bowl projection
- Bowl: Gator Bowl
- Opponent: Pittsburgh
- 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: CBS Sports projects Florida to play in in-state bowl game vs ACC team
