December 3rd, 2010 at 5:24 PM ^
No? Whew...
Interesting matchup.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:24 PM ^
I've read online that Michigan is 20-5 all time versus the SEC. This bodes well for Michigan, it's just too bad we might have to play Kiffin's leftovers.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
by their shower discipline.
December 3rd, 2010 at 7:11 PM ^
Resist...urge...to...make...soap...joke....
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
We can get sweet revenge for the last time we played tenn in a bowl game.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^
I'd loved to payback the Vols for that ass-kicking they gave us about 8-9 years ago.
December 3rd, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^
yea. we can really show fullmer, clausen, and stallworth who's boss.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^
As long as no one from this board beds Arnett
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:29 PM ^
I think it was Tennessee under Kiffin that was beddin' down recruits if you know what I mean...
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:32 PM ^
Kiffin's wife...
just sayin'
December 4th, 2010 at 5:12 AM ^
wrecker.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
Agreed... I still hate that game: Hung-over, angry, and embarrassed is no way to spend New Year's
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:46 PM ^
you on the hung over part, it made that game so much worse to watch... i was so pissed i decided to clean...
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
Revenge for the horrible 1/1/02 Citrus Bowl -- Casey Clausen (older brother to Jimmy) was the Vols' QB. That game sucked big time.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^
exactly. plus, i'm told that they really, really hate us down there. like not even close to getting over the woodson/manning thing.
screw 'em. go blue.
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
Well living about 25 minutes away from UT campus, I can tell you the fans here do not even care about the Heisman due to that year. I moved to Knoxville at the end of 2001 and had to endure that game here, where by the way I was glad I did not watch the game with my wife! Would never have happened if Tennessee did not look past LSU in the SEC championship. Killed me, but we will always be able to bring up the Heisman.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^
We need a win in the worst way.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
Please God, let it be true.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:29 PM ^
I can't see the Gator Bowl passing on Florida, let alone passing on an SEC team with a winning record (Miss. State) in favor of a 6-6 team (whether Tennessee or Georgia).
Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and 'Bama are destined for the BCS, BCS, Cotton and Cap One
Then you have 9-4 (assuming) S. Carolina, 8-4 Mississippi State and 7-5 Florida for the Outback, Gator and Some-Other-Bowl
THEN .... you finally get to 6-6 Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky
How could anyone argue that a 6-6 team in the SEC gets to leap over a 7-5 Florida AND an 8-4 Mississippi State or 9-4 S. Carolina?
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
This is what I was trying to say earlier -- I just didn't feel like taking the time to look up records and all that. I don't see any good reason to take a bland Tennessee team over several better and more interesting ones.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
Why does Michigan get the nod for the Gator bowl? Because we travel well and bring in money. Tennessee is the same way, so why not Miss. State? That one is easy! Tennessee will bring much more money in!
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
Yeah, but having UF there would be an auto-sellout.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:38 PM ^
Hotels/Restaurants
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^
But a lot of those Florida fans would be making day trips to go to this game. Most people from Tennessee will at least be staying the night, spending money.
edit: gotta be quicker.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^
We would also bring more fans, viewers and money to the Capital One Bowl than Michigan State would, but they have a far superior record this year and therefore deserve to go to the better game.
Mississippi State is a much better team than Tennessee -- so is South Carolina and so is Florida -- so it seems like record should have some effect (although the Gator Bowl exec basically said it doesn't, so you're probably right).
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^
I don't know how the SEC does their bowl selection, but I know in the Big 10 bowls have a selection order that limits the bowls to selecting any team within one game of the team "slotted" for their bowl. Meaning, since the Capital one bowl gets 2nd choice (really 3rd), they can pick MSU or anyone within one game of MSU (nobody, this year). I would be surprised if the SEC would limit their selections that way, after all, it's all about money in SEC country.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:46 PM ^
That's correct regarding the Big Ten, and I don't think the SEC has that type of selection limits (they don't seem to have rules on anything else, so I don't see any reason they'd have bowl selection limits).
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
I was just going to edit my post. It wouldn't matter if the SEC had the same procedures, Tenn. (3-5), UF (4-4) and MSU (4-4) are all within one game. Gator Bowl could choose whoever they want out of that group.
I'm not positive, but does the gator bowl have the fifth (really sixth) choice from the SEC? Assuming Auburn, Ark to BCS bowls, and LSU, USC, and Bama to the Capital One, Peach and Outback? Leaving the Gator bowl the next choice and bowl eligible SEC team but Kentucky?
Edit: Forgot about the Cotton Bowl. Tenn. isn't that far fetched when the Gator bowl is that far down the pecking order. I still think it will be Florida though.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^
The Florida answer is over concern that with Florida's recent big bowl games, they won't travel to Jacksonville, and those that will will be traveling for the game only, meaning no hotel stays, no restaurant bills. The Gator Bowl has made it clear that they care about all those factors, not just selling tickets and seeing good teams.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^
Is this Bowl in bed with the Tourism bureau (kick-backs and tax breaks)? Because the Bowl doesn't make any money through hotels and restaurants.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^
It's still good business sense to boost the local economy as much as possible when it's otherwise all the same. Either way they sell tickets and people watch.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^
MISSION STATEMENT
The Gator Bowl Association’s mission is to provide Northeast Florida with the very best in college athletics and related activities in order to maximize positive impact on the area’s economy, national image and community pride.
pretty much says it all
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
I'm not sure you have this figured out correctly.
#1 Auburn is going to the BCS.
#2 Arkansas goes to the BCS
#3 LSU is in the Citrus
#4 Alabama/#5 Sakerlina/#6 Mississippi State into the Cotton/Chick Fil A/Outback.
THEN
The Gator Bowl can take its pick. This leaves it open to everybody from the SEC East except Vandy.
I don't think they'd pass on a UF, but stranger things have happened.
December 3rd, 2010 at 7:27 PM ^
Peach Bowl picks ahead of the Gator Bowl, and may snag Florida.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
Well, that's pretty much the best case scenario. UT is certainly a winnable game over an ESSSSEEEECEEEE opponent in a bowl where a lot of our players will get to play close to home for once.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
I really think mich will destroy this team. That will put us 24-5-1 against the SEC. Go blue!
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
at this point, anything to help us get RRod 1 more year of Dilithium powered offensive goodness
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
Could it possibly be Michigan vs Tennessee in the Outback Bowl? Would that make more sense?
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
Nope, per Chris Balas as thewolverine.com its the Gator!
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
I dont care who the opponent is as long as it invovles Martin pwning the mediocrity in front of him.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
If this is true, we got a great draw. We'll be the favorite in this game. Lets end the season in style!
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
A 3-5 Big Ten team against a 3-5 SEC team. New Year's Day bowls aren't what they used to be. Well, it's winnable.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:32 PM ^
pretty much nothing about bowl season is what it used to be.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^
Tennessee or Florida??? I say Tennessee, we should be the favorite in this game.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^
I don't know, it'll be tough blocking their 12th defensive player all game.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^
13th. They had 13 on the field. In the words of the immortal Spencer Hall:
Then the ball is snapped with the game on the line between two major college football powers with one team having 13 men on the field and another with a non-running running quarterback who watches in horror as the ball is snapped over his head and covered for a game-ending busted play. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN REAL LIFE.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:51 PM ^
LOL. I had forgotten it was that bad... my favorite part of that quote is the last sentence... i finally lost it at work and erupted in laughter. Sadly, no one will understand it.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^
Both are winnable but I 'd rather be the underdog.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:46 PM ^
How can they pick without knowing which teams will be in BCS games? If only Auburn goes, then Miss St is the highest team at 8-4 and they can't pick Tennessee over them.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^
Because there's not even the slightest snowball's chance that only one SEC team goes the BCS. If Auburn drops out of the title game, they'll be snapped up by the Orange Bowl, and if they do go to the title game, the Sugar will take Arkansas or LSU without a moment's hesitation.