Gators and Buckeyes might be 6-6, but Gator Bowl officials still expect large turnout
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
The Gator Bowl remains one of the premiere non-BCS bowls on the schedule, a game with a rich history and tradition that dates back to New Year's Day 1946.
The game also features a handsome purse, with a minimum payout of $5.45 million for last year's game between Mississippi State and Michigan.
However, not until the 2009 season did a team with a .500 regular-season record get invited. That was a 6-6 Florida State team that offered a unique appeal: Bobby Bowden's final game as FSU's head coach.
The game didn't disappoint, drawing a Gator Bowl-record crowd of 84,129 to see Bowden win his final game against a 9-3 West Virginia team.
The Gator Bowl is making history once again with the Florida-Ohio State matchup. It's the first time two 6-6 teams will play in the game.
During a teleconference Sunday night, Gator Bowl selection committee chairman Greg Smith said the committee voted unanimously on the matchup for multiple reasons, the first being that both schools' fan bases travel well.
While one team will leave EverBank Field with a losing record on Jan. 2, the committee was sold that a Gators-Buckeyes game would have national appeal, even moreso after former Gators coach Urban Meyer was introduced as Ohio State's new coach last week.
“This is going to be an exciting game – two great programs, very rich traditions,'' Smith said.
While a bowl game between 6-6 teams might not be for everybody, bowl officials are optimistic for a large turnout for a game that has averaged more than 72,000 fans the past three years. More than 60,000 tickets have reportedly already been sold.
Gators coach Will Muschamp, whose team will try to extend the program's streak of non-losing seasons to 32, is urging Gator fans to make the trip to Jacksonville and provide a true home-field advantage. Florida has played in the Gator Bowl eight times – second only to Clemson's nine visits – but not since 1992.
“They need to support the Florida Gators,'' Muschamp said. “We've got the best fans in the country and they are upset and they are frustrated and I don't blame them, but again, our guys are going to work hard and we are going to put on a good show there against Ohio State.''
Buckeyes coach Luke Fickell will serve as Ohio State's head coach for the final time. He has an offer from Meyer to remain on staff. Despite the up-and-down season, Fickell knows the Buckeyes will have plenty of support from their fans less than two hours from Florida's campus.
“I would expect nothing less of our fans,” Fickell said. “If anything, I would expect more [ticket sales] than normal because we're moving forward. I think our fans and our people will be excited about this – not just the matchup – but Ohio State moving forward after a tough year.''
