The 2023 season was put into peril on Saturday when Florida football failed to defend its home turf against the Arkansas Razorbacks, who won for the first time ever in the Swamp, 39-36, thanks to overtime. The loss was embarrassing for many reasons, but it also put a huge damper on the Gators’ bowl game plans.
The sports media’s backlash to the loss was expected, but many still think the Orange and Blue have an outside chance at a December matchup. CBS Sports and ESPN still have projections for Billy Napier’s squad — albeit in very minor venues — but that still represents a modicum of confidence in Florida’s chances.
USA TODAY Sports’ Erick Smith, however, omitted the Gainesville gang from his latest bowl predictions following Week 10. Last week, the Gators were matched up with Southern Methodist Mustangs on Dec. 23 in the Birmingham Bowl after a few weeks in a holding pattern there.
Next up for Florida are the LSU Tigers, who host the Gators in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Nov. 11, inside Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on the SEC Network.
Check out the full bowl projections from USA TODAY Sports below.
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