Florida Gators Football: Evaluating Pre-LSU Bowl Game Possibilities

Nov 12, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) is congratulated by wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) after he ran with the ball for first down against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway (81) runs with the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at EverBank Field. Florida Gators defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

TaxSlayer Bowl

Mark Schlabach of ESPN believes the Florida Gators will play the rival Miami Hurricanes in the TaxSlayer Bowl on New Year’s Eve. That bowl game will be held at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.

In other words, Schlabach believes that a rivalry could resume with a neutral venue that remains in-state. There’s not much better than that.

A clash between Florida and Miami would be significant for several obvious reasons. The first is that it’d create bragging rights between two in-state rivals that happen to be two of the most decorated programs in NCAA history.

The bigger long-term effect could be on the recruiting trails, however, as both teams would be auditioning for local prospects.

The TaxSlayer Bowl was formerly known as The Gator Bowl, and for all intents and purposes, it still should be. This could be unlikely for financial reasons, but Florida has a chance to play an in-state game and close out in style.

This bowl game doesn’t guarantee Florida will play Miami, but any win over an ACC opponent would be valuable for recruiting purposes.

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