Florida football just pulled off a crucial road win against Texas in Week 7, snapping a brutal two-game losing streak and bringing that swagger back to the Orange and Blue. And now? USA TODAY Sports writer Erick Smith is already projecting them for the Gator Bowl, but with a new opponent: Wake Forest. Smith had the Gators pegged for the Gator Bowl last week, even after their homecoming loss to South Carolina, and the week before that too. But after upsetting the Longhorns, Jon Sumrall’s squad is looking at a fresh challenge in the projection.
Gators on the Comeback Trail
This road win against Texas wasn’t just any victory; it restored some serious optimism around the program. More importantly, it puts the Gators just one win away from clinching a bowl game berth. That’s a huge step for Sumrall’s team, who are clearly focused on improving their standing in the postseason outlook. The big change this time around in Smith’s projection is seeing Wake Forest in the opposite dugout instead of Maryland. Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. was straight-up offensive player of the game in that upset victory, making big plays and throwing passes, including to wide receiver Dallas Wilson. The momentum is real.
Gator Bowl History and a Familiar Foe?
The Gators know their way around the Gator Bowl, having played in the Sunshine State event nine times since 1952. They’ve walked away with seven wins in those matchups, including a 24-17 victory over Ohio State in Will Muschamp’s first season back in 2012. Their last loss in a Gator Bowl was way back in 1975, when Doug Dickey’s squad got shut out 13-0 by Maryland. Now, about Wake Forest: these two teams haven’t faced off since 1957, and only four times on the collegiate gridiron dating back to 1923. Florida has prevailed in all four of those matchups, winning 16-7 in Tampa in 1923, 34-0 in Tampa in 1924, 24-3 in Gainesville in 1925, and 27-0 in Gainesville in 1957. If this projection holds, it would be a reunion more than half a century in the making, and with a clean slate of wins in the history books for the Gators.
What’s Next for Jon Sumrall’s Squad
With Jon Sumrall’s team just one victory shy of sealing that bowl game berth, every game from here on out is a massive opportunity. The Texas win was huge, not just for the streak, but for setting them up for a shot at postseason play. Keep an eye on Tramell Jones Jr. and this Gator offense as they chase that clinching victory and aim to lock down a spot in Jacksonville.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply