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The ACC teams in the mix for the 80th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl have been narrowed to five possibilities – four if Southern Methodist beats Clemson on Saturday in the ACC Championship game in Charlotte, N.C.
The Gator Bowl is Jan. 2, 2025 (7:30 p.m., ESPN) and matches an SEC team versus an ACC team.
SMU (11-1) is ranked third in the College Football Playoff bracket and would at least remain in that spot and get a first-round bye with a victory over Clemson. It’s possible the Mustangs would move up if No. 1 Oregon (12-0) is upset by No. 5 Penn State (11-1) in the Big Ten championship game; or if No. 2 Texas (11-1) loses to No. 7 Georgia (10-2) in the SEC championship game.
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, trying to shake off a tackle by Georgia defensive back K.J. Bolden, has led the Gators to three victories in a row and bowl eligibility.
If Clemson upsets SMU it could knock the Mustangs out of the playoff and into the ACC’s “Premium Pool:” the Gator Bowl, the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando and the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Clemson would get an automatic spot in the CFP as a conference champion.
How will the ACC championship affect the Gator Bowl?
If SMU beats Clemson: The Mustangs go to the CFP. Clemson will play in either the Pop Tarts Bowl or the Holiday Bowl, since the Tigers can’t play in Jacksonville two years in a row (they beat Kentucky last year). That leaves Miami (10-2), Syracuse (9-3), Duke (9-3) and Louisville (8-4) as Gator Bowl possibilities. Teams with 7-5 records (Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Boston College) would not be eligible if there are available 9-3 or 8-4 teams.
If Clemson beats SMU: If the Tigers win a close game, SMU could still remain in the playoff bracket. If Clemson wins easily, all bets may be off and it might knock SMU into the Premium Pool.
Syracuse might be an intriguing team for…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gator-bowl-final-projections-florida-100817263.html
Author : The Florida Times-Union
Publish date : 2024-12-06 10:08:00
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