The New Year's Day bowl in Tampa gets its top pick in 16th-ranked Florida.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published December 4, 2003
GAINESVILLE - For the past several weeks, members of the Outback Bowl selection committee had just a few words of advice for president Jim McVay: If the Florida Gators are available, don't let them get away.
When the SEC officially released the Gators for bowl selection Wednesday afternoon, "our guys said grab them," McVay said.
He did.
Florida accepted an invitation Wednesday to play in the New Year's Day bowl, ending days of speculation about whether the No.16 Gators were Peach Bowl bound or headed to Tampa. Florida (8-4) faces one of two potential Big Ten representatives - No.11 Purdue or No.12 Iowa; both are 9-3.
"I can't say enough about being able to go back to Tampa," Florida coach Ron Zook said. "The fact that we stay in state is good for recruiting and it's great for our fans. We had a great time down there last year. It's close, it's a great stadium, they do an unbelievable job of hospitality and we know the course so to speak. Our guys are excited about this game. I'm excited. I think it's going to be a great deal."
It will be the Gators' second straight appearance in the Outback Bowl. Florida lost 38-30 to Michigan last season.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have the Gators back," McVay said. "They are an outstanding team as evidenced by the fact that they are co-champions of the SEC East. They are the only team to beat LSU and Georgia, and those teams are in the (SEC) championship game. This is a great team and they bring with them great storylines: the way Ron Zook rallied this team (after a 3-3 start), a wonderful freshman quarterback (Chris Leak). It's just an honor to have them."
McVay said the Outback selection committee may have to wait until Sunday to determine the opponent.
"The Big Ten won't release their teams because Ohio State is still in it (BCS consideration)," he said.
If Ohio State receives a BCS invitation, Purdue likely would go to the Capital One Bowl and Iowa would head to Tampa.
Either opponent will provide a good game for the Gators, Zook said.
"They are both (ranked) ... and good football teams," Zook said. "I know from being at Ohio State and in the Big Ten that Iowa has always got a rough, hard-nosed, well-coached football team. And Purdue, I saw them on TV one time this year and they are a wide-open, explosive, offensive football team. It doesn't make any difference, they are both great football teams and it's going to be a great football game."
While many speculated Tennessee would be the Outback selection, McVay said bowl officials evaluate every possible team, but ultimately always wanted the Gators.
McVay said there's no concern about a lack of interest and lackluster ticket sales because of Florida's repeat engagement.
"The people we talked to overwhelmingly wanted the Gators back," he said. "Gator fans in this area and in the state have fallen in love with this team ... and the Big Ten opponent will also travel well and sell tickets. The tickets will move fast, so you better get them soon."
Zook said the players aren't disappointed about returning to the same bowl for the second year, adding that after Saturday's 38-34 loss to Florida State, the Gators just want another opportunity to play.
"It's important that we win this game, and our team will be ready to play," Zook said. "I could tell in their (players) eyes tonight they just want to play. They want to line up and play."
