The Athletic’s preseason prediction for Florida’s bowl game

Florida football faces one of the toughest schedules in recent memory this season which includes a gauntlet of top-25 teams. While some struggle to foresee a bowl appearance for the Gators this winter, others can squint hard enough to envision the Orange and Blue in the postseason.

The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman and Stewart Mandel put together their college football preseason bowl projections recently and the good news is that Billy Napier and Co. earned a December berth — which assumes at least a .500 finish during the regular season.

Dochterman and Mandel picked Florida to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Liberty Bowl held in Memphis, Tennessee, on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. ET.

Other bowl predictions

USA TODAY Sports writer Erick Smith submitted his preseason bowl projections and foresees Florida making it into the Gasparilla Bowl against the Duke Blue Devils . That game is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Florida’s season opener for 2024

The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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