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.