OGT 2024: Gasparilla Bowl - Florida Gators vs Tulane Green Wave

[Escambia94]

Overview
The Florida Gators (7-5, 4-4 SEC) will renew their 109-year rivalry with former SEC opponent Tulane Green Wave (9-4, 7-1 AAC). The two team will kick off the bowl season by facing off in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 20, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET. The Gators lead the overall series 13-6-2, and their last meeting was a 63-21 thrashing by the Gators in 1984. The Gators have not lost to Tulane since 1946.This will be the 49th all-time bowl game appearance for the Gators (#14 in the nation) where they have a 24-24 record since 1953. Billy Napier is 2-2 in bowl games at Florida and Louisiana. Florida ended the season outscoring its opponents by 12.7 points per game--including against #21 LSU and #9 Ole Miss. DJ Lagway will join Wayne Peace (1980 Tangerine Bowl), Chris Leak (2004 Outback Bowl), and Treon Harris (2015 Birmingham Bowl) as the only true freshmen to start a bowl game.

Preview
The Gators are favored by 11 with an over/under of 49.5 points. The Gators have no opt-outs for this bowl game. Tulane's starting QB Darian Mensah has opted out. Former Oregon backup Ty Thompson will start against the Gators and also transfer out. The Green Wave plays disciplined, team football on both sides, so do not count them out.

	Florida	Tulane
	DJ Lagway 6'3" 239 FR Willis, TX Yr Team CMP ATT CMP% YDS AVG TD INT LNG SACK RTG 2024 FLA 93 157 59.2 1,610 10.3 11 7 85 12 159.6 Career 93 157 59.2 1,610 10.3 11 7 85 12 159.6	Ty Thompson 6'4" 224 TRJR Gilbert, AZ Yr Team CMP ATT CMP% YDS AVG TD INT LNG SACK RTG 2021 ORE 7 15 46.7 87 5.8 2 1 54 1 126.1 2022 ORE 11 20 55.0 72 3.6 0 2 17 0 65.2 2023 ORE 24 31 77.4 297 9.6 4 1 60 0 194.0 2024 TUL 6 11 54.5 74 6.7 2 0 24 0 171.1 Career 48 77 62.3 530 6.9 8 4 60 1 144.1
	Jadan Baugh 6'1" 227 FR Atlanta, GA Yr Team CAR YDS AVG TD LNG 2024 FLA 119 603 5.1 7 55 Career 119 603 5.1 7 55	Mahki Hughes 5'11" 210 SO Birmingham, AL Yr Team CAR YDS AVG TD LNG 2023 TUL 258 1,378 5.3 7 58 2024 TUL 257 1,372 5.3 15 51 Career 515 2,750 5.3 22 58
	Elijah Badger 6'1" 192 TRSR Sacramento, CA REC YDS AVG TD LNG 2021 ASU 7 61 8.7 0 19 2022 ASU 70 866 12.4 7 39 2023 ASU 65 713 11.0 3 65 2024 FLA 37 789 21.3 4 77 Career 179 2,429 13.6 14 77	Mario Williams 5'9" 178 TRJR Tampa, FL Yr Team REC YDS AVG TD LNG 2021 OU 35 380 10.9 4 36 2022 SC 40 631 15.8 5 65 2023 SC 29 305 10.5 2 29 2024 TU: 54 940 17.4 5 68 158 2,256 14.3 16 68

 

[DRU2012]

Well, the above has got to be a relatively fresh take on this matchup, as compared with just about every other one out there online, on TV and radio leading up to this one.
However, perhaps its most relevant point is probably the warning summation with which it ends!
As it turns out, we pretty well have the collective attention of the whole college football world to ourselves today heading into the pending first iteration of the hugely expanded CFB Playoff.
We're not a part of that, of course--but the timing of this one, its broadcast availability on a Friday late-afternoon just before that first 12-team free-for-all is about to begin, and involving a Florida team that has garnered a lot of comment and attention for a myriad of reasons in the final weeks of the regular season, AND in its activity in recruiting and the transfer portal in growing fashion these last few DAYS, if anything has us in the spotlight at an opportune moment, it would seem.
This could help us in a number of ways.
But the main thing is to just go out there and WIN THE DAMN GAME!
We are in relatively good shape heading into this one, especially as compared to Tulane, who will be down a number of key players (including 2 quarterbacks).
Here's hoping DJ is healthy and is able to put on somewhat of a show in the first half. Be nice if Billy opened up the playback some in order to give him a chance to shine.
Main thing though is to come out of it healthy and with the victory to send us into the 2025 on a positve note--and an 8-win 2024.

 

[DRU2012]

Here we go. Already in a 3rd down situation here.
They are NOT protecting DJ well so far.
I don't like it...bad sign: That Tulane defense is ready to play.
CRAP! Onlyv10 men on the field for the punt--had to waste a time out already. Back to szne old dumb ass shit that a proper OC would help cure!

 

[DRU2012]

INT.
I was just starting to think we looked "off" early.
But got the ball back.

 

[DRU2012]

Driving the ball again.
Looks like the Tulane front is pressuring our guys, but now beginning to adapt.

 

[DRU2012]

Damn--slipped or matmybe a TD!
Then DJ sacked--once promising drive broken by missed block. Gonna have to settle for a 3.

 

[DRU2012]

OK...If our D can keep them under control, I think we can establish dominance here.

 

[DRU2012]

The next couple of series by each team's possession of the ball will determine how this one goes, eventually turns out.

 

[DRU2012]

I don't like how this is going now.
Crowd causes a penalty, but this Green Wave squad is talented and determined. We are gonna have our hands full.
Big play on 4th down here...

 

[DRU2012]

Damn. Looked like at least TWO of their linemen moved, but no penalty flags--and they get just enough for the first down.

 

[DRU2012]

Another nail-biter against a decent team ready to compete. It's gonna depend on our defense in this one. We could really use those edge rushers now...

 

[DRU2012]

This Tulane "backup QB" is a pretty good thrower; I Gove outer D credit for limiting him so far.

 

[DRU2012]

So we get it around 10 on the punt put of bounds. Lets see if DJ and Co. can grind out a long drive.
Poor start...

 

[DRU2012]

Nice quick strike for a first down.

 

[DRU2012]

Keep it going, boys.
WHERE'S THE PI CALL?
Gators got robbed on the bomb. Then dumb penalty on 3rd puts us in a hole--and DJ throws a pick.
F*CK!!! We are blowing this...

 

[DRU2012]

At LEAST lets hold them to 3...3rd abd short as 1st quarter ends.
We aren't likely to impress anyone with our performance here today, no matter WHAT the eventual score turns out to be.
We'll be fortunate to somehow pull our a close win late, I fear.
Things could have gone either way--and they DID: Just not OUR way!

 

[DRU2012]

MISSED IT! So it doesn't cost us after all.
We get it back pretty well where we lost it.
Now, if we can just grind out a long drive now, maybe we can reestablish ourselves here.

 

[DRU2012]

Driving now. GOTTA score here, a full on 7 points. No more screwing around if we wanna begin to take over here after all.

 

[DRU2012]

STUPID PENALTY AFTER THE PLAY.
THIS is why we are having another "off" day so far!

 

[DRU2012]

We are just screwing OURSELVES now.
This is just embarrassing...We had a nice drive going, but now we'll have to punt, I am afraid.
HERE GOES NOTHING...and Bily goes for the field goal field position.
(AGAIN the special team unit late getting on--abd it costs us ANOTHER wasted Time Out...)
So a touchdown drive turned into another fg-drive by our own foolish mistakes.