The Gator Bowl

Buckeyes head to the Gators home turf

When two unranked football teams meet in a bowl game there is usually not much to cheer about, but in the case of this season's TAXSLAYER.com Gator Bowl pitting Ohio State against Florida a close match should ensue. Both teams come into the game with a won-loss record of 6-6, but if either team were to be part of weaker conferences they could each easily be 9-3.

Florida hit a terrible losing streak in the middle of their season, losing four straight games to the likes of Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Georgia. Ohio State had it's share of tough opponents as well, losing to Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and Nebraska. On top of all this Ohio State had to endure losing coach Jim Tressel as well as a number of key players to suspension due to "tattoo-gate". While the future looks brighter for the Buckeyes with the retention of Urban Meyer starting next year, this season will have to be endured under interim coach Luke Fickell.

While neither team has one true superstar player, both teams have their fair share of competent talent. On the Florida side the offense is balanced and spreads the ball around well. Quarterback John Brantley is having a good season with over 1,900 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions in 224 attempts. With two excellent running backs in Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps Florida has the advantage over Ohio State in being able to effectively run or pass the ball when the situation is required. Rainey averages 5.1 yards per carry and has 866 rushing yards so far this year, and Demps averages 5.9 yards per carry with 580 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.

The Ohio State offense comes into the Gator Bowl led by quarterback Braxton Miller, while not an outstanding passer Miller still possesses big play capability with his feet. Miller has only completed 50% of his passes this season but has 11 touchdown passes against only 4 interceptions. Running the ball is Miller's forte so far, amassing 895 yards rushing good for a 4.8 yard per carry average. Returning from an early season suspension running back Dan Herron is regaining his form, rushing for 639 yards in only six games. To provide a good change of pace for the Buckeyes offense running back Carlos Hyde has exceeded most expectations, rushing for 560 yards good for a 5.4 yard per carry average.

The bottom line as to which team will win this year's TAXSLAYER.com Gator Bowl will be determined by two critical aspects - turnovers and defense against the run. While both teams possess decent defensive skills it will be imperative that Florida contains the Ohio State running game and forces Braxton Miller to pass at least 25 times. If Ohio State is to win it is largely dependent upon the Buckeyes ability to maintain ball control and keep the Florida offense on the sideline. In any case scenario this year's TAXSLAYER.co Gator Bowl should be a close game to the finish.

Guide To The Gator Bowl

The Gator Bowl is the sixth oldest bowl game in college football. It has been played every year since 1946. It has always been held in Jacksonville, Florida except for 1994 when the game was played in Gainesville. Currently, the game is played at Ever Bank Field, the home of the NFL football's Jacksonville Jaguars. The game is a major tourist attraction for Jacksonville. Estimates say the game brings in 40,000 tourists and an economic impact of over $50 million to the area. Attendance has steadily increased over the years. Over 70,000 watch the game now, compared to a little over 7,000 at the first Gator Bowl. Wake Forest defeated South Carolina in the first Gator Bowl in 1946.

The Gator Bowl has been played on New Year's Day or January 2nd every year since 1996. Beginning with the 2011 game, the Gator Bowl will be a game between a team from the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten Conference.

Prior to that, the Gator Bowl had many different ties. From 1996 through 2010, the game featured a team from the ACC against either a team from the Big Twelve, Big East, or Notre Dame. The Gator Bowl is organized by the Gator Bowl Association. They are a nonprofit organization with charitable ties devoted to youth and athletics in North Florida. In addition to the area schools, Pop Warner and the Tony Boselli Award of Excellence receive contributions from the Gator Bowl Association. Sponsors for the game have included Toyota, Mazda, Outback, and Konica Minolta.

The Gator Bowl has a payout of $2.5 million, a high amount for a non-BCS game.

The game has been played on various networks. Currently, the Gator Bowl airs on CBS on New Year's Day the same day as the Rose Bowl. CBS has had the rights since 2007. Prior to that, NBC, TBS, and ESPN had runs with the game. ABC also had a long run broadcasting the games. People like Al Michaels, Keith Jackson, and Verne Lundquist have been among the men calling the game on television.

There have been a couple of noted historical moments involving the Gator Bowl. In 1963, a post game party at the Hotel Roosevelt resulted in a fire that was responsible for 22 deaths. It was a tragic event, but the party was determined to not be the cause of the fire. In 1978, legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes saw his career end when he hit Clemson player Charlie Bauman. Hayes was fired shortly after the game.

Clemson has played in the Gator Bowl nine times, more than any other team. But the Tigers have only won the Gator Bowl four of those nine times. Florida and Florida State have each won the game six times. North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Auburn, and West Virginia have all played in the Gator Bowl at least five times.

The Gator Bowl awards an MVP award to a player from each team. Over the years, many great players claim the MVP award. Among those players are Archie Manning, Calvin Johnson, Philip Rivers, Michael Vick, Jason Walker, Pat White, Thurman Thomas, and Donovan McNabb. In the sportsbook we will have all types of college football betting lines for the game including MVP awards and all types of bowl props which let you bet from the coin toss to the last play of the game with our live or ingame betting. This is also perfect timing to place your last minute wager for NFL MVP as well.

The Gator Bowl preview, the Gator Bowl Odds for the game and all our Gator Bowl betting options are released when the final teams are assigned to this bowl game. This happens at the completion of the regular season and the bowl selection show.