It was a long journey for the Florida Gators, from the college football preseason to the final game of the schedule.
Alas, the Orange and Blue survived the toughest schedule in the sport this fall, earning a 7-5 overall record and a trip to the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa to face the Tulane Green Wave. The two programs will take the field opposite each other on Friday in a series that UF leads with an all-time record of 13-6-2 dating back to 1915.
Billy Napier and Co. come into this one with tons of momentum while Jon Sumrall’s squad is still smarting from a beatdown in the American Athletic Conference title game against the Army Black Knights. Additionally, the opening of the transfer portal has changed some team dynamics as well.
Ahead of Florida’s first bowl game since 2022, the Gators Wire staff convened to offer their respective takes on this year’s Gasparilla Bowl matchup.
Florida is poised to dominate
The upcoming Gasparilla Bowl offers an interesting matchup between Florida and Tulane. Spearheaded by freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, Florida has hit a late-season stride that should terrify any opponent. Lagway’s arm strength and on-field leadership have been instrumental in Florida’s resurgence, propelling the team to notable victories against top-tier opponents.
Although Tulane boasts a robust defense and a talented running back in Makhi Hughes, they face a significant setback with the departure of their standout quarterback. This adjustment might just be too much to overcome against a Gator squad that’s gaining momentum and cohesion at the right time.
Backed by a surging offense and revitalized team spirit, Florida is poised to not only compete but to dominate in the Gasparilla Bowl, making it a game that Gator fans can eagerly anticipate as a display of Florida’s rising prowess. — Aidan Gallardo
Florida 42, Tulane 21
Lagway soars, defense smothers
Florida is favored by two touchdowns coming into this one despite the stark difference in records. Of course, the difference between the SEC and AAC is night and day, and Tulane got creamed by a top-25 Army squad in the title game.
Additionally, The Green Wave has seen more significant departures into the transfer portal than the Gators. Combine that with Napier and Co’s momentum coming into this one, it should be a slam dunk.
I expect DJ Lagway to put up season-best numbers in this one while the defense smothers an over-matched opponent. The Gators have won the last 11 meetings, albeit the last one coming in 1984. I see victory No. 12 after the final horn sounds. — Adam Dubbin
Florida 38, Tulane 13
Montrell Johnson Jr. will be the stud
This Florida team has done a lot whenever it has a week off, and the extra practices that come with a bowl game should benefit the team greatly. Sure, a handful of players will be missing, but most of the departing transfers aren’t starters and the team was already banged up. Tulane has lost more, too.
This should be a relatively easy win for the Gators, especially if the team plays like it did against LSU and Ole Miss. I’m not sure Adam’s prediction of a Lagway season-best is in the cards — the kid threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns against Samford — but he should still show out.
I’m more inclined to believe that Montrell Johnson Jr. will be the stud here. One last big game for one of Napier’s favorite players. — David Rosenberg
Florida 42, Tulane 17
How to watch Gasparilla Bowl
The Florida-Tulane game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 20, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
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