Wake Forest Projected as Florida’s Gator Bowl Foe After Texas Upset
Erick Smith shifted his Week 7 bowl projection from Maryland to Wake Forest following the Gators' return to the top 25.
Jacksonville’s postseason college football economy is taking shape around a potential Southeastern Conference-Atlantic Coast Conference matchup, with USA TODAY Sports projecting Wake Forest to face Florida in the upcoming Gator Bowl. The Week 7 projection from USA TODAY Sports writer Erick Smith pairs Jon Sumrall’s squad against the Demon Deacons following an upset road victory over Texas that snapped a two-game losing streak for the Gators.
Smith had previously projected Maryland as Florida’s opponent in the Jacksonville venue before shifting the forecast to Wake Forest. Florida now needs one additional victory to clinch bowl eligibility after falling to South Carolina during its homecoming game and defeating Texas on Oct. 17 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
The Texas win carried immediate consequences beyond the regular-season standings. Tramell Jones Jr. earned offensive player of the game honors for his performance under center. Wide receiver Dallas Wilson was targeted heavily during the first half, drawing coverage from Texas defensive backs Bo Mascoe and Kade Phillips alongside Jelani McDonald. The result pushed Florida back into the USA TODAY Sports re-rank top 25.
A trip to Jacksonville would mark Florida’s 10th appearance in the Gator Bowl since 1952. The program holds a 7-2 record in the event. Its most recent participation came in 2012 during Will Muschamp’s first season, resulting in a 24-17 victory over Ohio State. The last time the Gators lost in Jacksonville was 1975, when Doug Dickey’s roster was shut out 13-0 by Maryland.
Wake Forest represents unfamiliar territory for modern Florida rosters. The two programs have met only four times since 1923, and they have not shared a field since 1957. Florida won all four matchups: 16-7 in Tampa in 1923, 34-0 in Tampa in 1924, 24-3 in Gainesville in 1925, and 27-0 in Gainesville in 1957.
Sumrall and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian met at midfield before the Week 7 kickoff in Austin, according to photographs published by Scott Wachter via Imagn Images and Reuters Connect. That pregame exchange preceded a result that altered both programs’ trajectories heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
