ATAT Stadium, site of Florida's historic first trip to the Cotton Bowl in program history.
Cotton Bowl Game Day: No. 7 Florida vs No. 6 Oklahoma
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | Football, Chris Harry
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Under normal circumstances, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl between seventh-ranked Florida (8-3) and sixth-ranked Oklahoma (8-2) at gartantuan and palatial AT&T Stadium would set up as one of the most attractive bowl matchups of the season, headlined by a couple brand-name programs and two of the most explosive offenses in college football.
If you haven't done so already, let's flush out the numbers, just for kicks.
Toney, the joystick wingback and kick-return specialist, caught a team-high 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, was the team's fourth-leading rusher with 161 yards on a team-best 8.5 yards per carry and a score, plus was the lone Gator to return a kick for a score. Pitts, the 6-foot-6, 250-pound man child and first UF first-team All-American in five years, caught 43 passes in just eight games for 770 yards, averaging nearly 18 per catch, and 12 touchdowns. Grimes had 38 receptions for 589 yards and nine TDs. All three chose to bypass the bowl game to get ready for the 2021 NFL Draft. Copeland, meanwhile, was scratched from the game due to coronavirus. He had 23 catches for 435 yards and three touchdowns.
They were UF's first, second, third and fourth leading receivers, respectfully, and accounted for — all told — 174 receptions, 2,778 yards and 34 TDs. Put another way: 58.8 percent of the team's catches, 65.0 percent of its receiving yards and 75.6 of its touchdowns receptions.
While Florida's historic first appearance in the Cotton Bowl — and third straight New Year's Six game in as many seasons under Coach Dan Mullen — is an appropriate reward for a job-well-done during the trying circumstances of the 2020 campaign, the early departures of some of the Gators' greatest star power practically makes it a preview of 2021.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]
Kyle Trask's final game with the Gators will double as a getting-to-know-you exercise with his backup receivers.
Trask, one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, had a heavy hand in the aforementioned quartet compiling those fat statistics. He was the triggerman in an offense that averaged 41.8 points and 508.8 yards, and finished as the top-ranked passing attack in the country. Trask will be minus his most deadly bullets, so it'll be up to a bevy of backups — Justin Shorter, Kemore Gamble, Xzavier Henderson, Keon Zipperer, Trent Whittemore, to name a few — to capitalize on an incredible opportunity.
Though it's a big bowl game and one both teams desperately want to win, given the skill-position chasm on the Florida side, a case could be made it'll also be like a spring game on steroids.
Who will step up and make a statement about 2021?
How loud a statement will depend greatly on Trask, who in playing his final game in UF uniform (presumably) already has set single-season school records for passing yards (4,125) and touchdowns (43), hitting on over 69 percent of his throws with just five interceptions. He's done it while navigating a rushing attack that ranks among the lowest in the nation (12th in the Southeastern Conference; 112th in the country) and has allowed defenses to play back and dare Trask to find holes in the secondary.
And he's done just that.
It would be a nice parting gift for Trask if either Dameon Pierce (450 yards, 4 TDs) or Malik Davis (279 yards, no TDs) or Nay'Quan Wright (169 yards, 2 TDs) — or all three tailbacks — could get something going against an OU defense, minus top cornerback and lone opt-out Tre Brown, that ranked first in the Big 12 in stopping the run at just 90.6 yards per game. Then again, the Big 12 isn't exactly known for running.
It is known for throwing. And scoring.
Spencer Rattler, with his nearly 2,800 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, is the latest in a long line of hotshot QBs at Oklahoma.
Oklahoma, winner of six straight conference championships, averaged 41.8 points and 475.8 yards per game this season, both first in the league, and boasted the Big 12's best passing attack at 321.6 yards per outing. Quarterback Spencer Rattler (2,784 yards, 25 TDs, 7 INT) will take aim at a Florida secondary that has struggled for most of the season.
The Gators' pass defense barely snuck it in the nation's Top 100 for the season, currently 99th at 258.3 yards per game. UF will be without starting defensive backs Marco Wilson and Shawn Davis, who fell in line with their opt-out teammates. Again, more opportunity for future guys.
Come what may, say goodbye Wednesday night to Florida football 2020, while ushering in a preview of 2021.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN, with the crew of Joe Tessitore on play-by-play, Dusty Dvoracek providing analysis, and Holly Rowe working the sidelines. The game will be rebroadcast Thursday at 4 a.m. on ESPN. For Gator Radio Network info, click here.
Finally, follow senior staff writer Scott Carter on Twitter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the evening. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage from the game Saturday and fresh season-wrap content Sunday, as well.
