Offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor in action against Michigan in the 2017 season opener in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Gators Get Peachy Rematch with Michigan
Sunday, December 2, 2018 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators opened the 2017 season against Michigan. Next up: closing the 2018 season against the Wolverines.
The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl announced Sunday afternoon a Florida-Michigan matchup on Dec. 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, marking the third time in four seasons the programs will meet. Michigan defeated Florida 41-7 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando to conclude the 2015 season, and in last year's season opener in Arlington, Texas, Michigan beat Florida 33-17 in the Advocare Classic.
Florida (9-3), No. 10 in Sunday's College Football Playoff rankings, is headed back to a bowl in its first season under head coach Dan Mullen.
"I'm proud of our team of how they have embraced everything this year and finished strong and now they get the reward of playing in a high-profile bowl game for the opportunity to win 10 games," Mullen said. "We will have some more time off to focus on academics and get our bodies right before we get back to work, prepare for the game and enjoy our time in Atlanta, which is a special city for us and our fans."
Most projections had the Gators facing either UCF or Michigan in the Peach Bowl. However, UCF is headed to the Playstation Fiesta Bowl to face LSU. The Knights, ranked No. 8 and winners of 25 consecutive games, defeated Auburn in last year's Peach Bowl.
"You want to pay particular attention to not sending the same teams to the same bowls," playoff selection committee chairman Rob Mullens said on ESPN when asked about how teams were assigned to New Year's Six games. "Michigan being ranked No. 7, obviously, deserved to stay closest to home, so that's what placed them in Atlanta."
Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, one of six new representatives on the 13-member playoff committee, has placed his stamp on Florida's football program since last year's loss to the Wolverines. Stricklin made a coaching change midseason a year ago and hired Mullen away from Mississippi State following Florida's 4-7 finish.
"I'm happy for Coach Mullen, his staff and the players who put in a lot of work to have the opportunity to play in New Year's Six bowl," Stricklin said. "It will be a great week in Atlanta for our players, staff and fans."
The Wolverines (10-2), seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings, were knocked from contention for a playoff berth in a 62-39 loss at Ohio State eight days ago. Michigan lost its season opener at Notre Dame, then reeled off 10 consecutive wins under fourth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh.
However, Harbaugh dropped to 0-4 against the Buckeyes as Michigan allowed the most points in school history in a regulation game. Coincidentally, former Gators head coach Jim McElwain, who was in charge of the program prior to his dismissal in October 2017, spent this season as Michigan's receivers coach.
Reports surfaced early Sunday afternoon that McElwain will be introduced as head coach at Central Michigan on Monday, casting doubt whether he will coach Michigan's receivers in the bowl game.
Florida is 0-4 all-time against Michigan since the schools first met in the Outback Bowl to conclude the 2002 season. The Gators closed the regular season with a 41-14 victory at Florida State. This is the Gators' first trip to a New Year's Six bowl game since 2012.
TICKET INFORMATION
The Gators Ticket Office is accepting bowl order requests now until Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. Football Season Ticket Holders can login to their account (Account Manager) to place their order.
Complete bowl ordering information can be found here: https://floridagators.com/sports/2018/10/22/football-bowl-tickets.aspx
University of Florida students will be receiving separate information about their ordering process for bowl tickets.
The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl announced Sunday afternoon a Florida-Michigan matchup on Dec. 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, marking the third time in four seasons the programs will meet. Michigan defeated Florida 41-7 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando to conclude the 2015 season, and in last year's season opener in Arlington, Texas, Michigan beat Florida 33-17 in the Advocare Classic.
LET'S GET IT, @CFAPeachBowl!
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 2, 2018
Story: https://t.co/C0jH1Xasxk #GatorStandard 🐊 #RelentlessEffort pic.twitter.com/sZ4bqYUv65
Florida (9-3), No. 10 in Sunday's College Football Playoff rankings, is headed back to a bowl in its first season under head coach Dan Mullen.
"I'm proud of our team of how they have embraced everything this year and finished strong and now they get the reward of playing in a high-profile bowl game for the opportunity to win 10 games," Mullen said. "We will have some more time off to focus on academics and get our bodies right before we get back to work, prepare for the game and enjoy our time in Atlanta, which is a special city for us and our fans."
Most projections had the Gators facing either UCF or Michigan in the Peach Bowl. However, UCF is headed to the Playstation Fiesta Bowl to face LSU. The Knights, ranked No. 8 and winners of 25 consecutive games, defeated Auburn in last year's Peach Bowl.
"You want to pay particular attention to not sending the same teams to the same bowls," playoff selection committee chairman Rob Mullens said on ESPN when asked about how teams were assigned to New Year's Six games. "Michigan being ranked No. 7, obviously, deserved to stay closest to home, so that's what placed them in Atlanta."
Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, one of six new representatives on the 13-member playoff committee, has placed his stamp on Florida's football program since last year's loss to the Wolverines. Stricklin made a coaching change midseason a year ago and hired Mullen away from Mississippi State following Florida's 4-7 finish.
"I'm happy for Coach Mullen, his staff and the players who put in a lot of work to have the opportunity to play in New Year's Six bowl," Stricklin said. "It will be a great week in Atlanta for our players, staff and fans."
The Wolverines (10-2), seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings, were knocked from contention for a playoff berth in a 62-39 loss at Ohio State eight days ago. Michigan lost its season opener at Notre Dame, then reeled off 10 consecutive wins under fourth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh.
However, Harbaugh dropped to 0-4 against the Buckeyes as Michigan allowed the most points in school history in a regulation game. Coincidentally, former Gators head coach Jim McElwain, who was in charge of the program prior to his dismissal in October 2017, spent this season as Michigan's receivers coach.
Reports surfaced early Sunday afternoon that McElwain will be introduced as head coach at Central Michigan on Monday, casting doubt whether he will coach Michigan's receivers in the bowl game.
SOURCES: Central Michigan to hire Jim McElwain as next head coachhttps://t.co/yvEehrvzRv pic.twitter.com/6gpd4McWoU
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) December 2, 2018
Florida is 0-4 all-time against Michigan since the schools first met in the Outback Bowl to conclude the 2002 season. The Gators closed the regular season with a 41-14 victory at Florida State. This is the Gators' first trip to a New Year's Six bowl game since 2012.
TICKET INFORMATION
The Gators Ticket Office is accepting bowl order requests now until Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. Football Season Ticket Holders can login to their account (Account Manager) to place their order.
Complete bowl ordering information can be found here: https://floridagators.com/sports/2018/10/22/football-bowl-tickets.aspx
University of Florida students will be receiving separate information about their ordering process for bowl tickets.
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