Gator Bowl

The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. It is the sixth oldest college bowl, held continuously since 1946. Its current full name is the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl after its present sponsor, Konica Minolta. With a 6-6 regular season record, the Seminoles are struggling so far. On New Year’s Day bowl game, their participation is not expected but the scenario will change if Bobby Bowden announces his retirement as expected. If coach Bowden retires then Florida State will be invited to play in the 2010 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.

Preseident of Gator Bowl Association, Richard Catlett said,

“If Coach Bowden retires and coaches a bowl game, we would invite them.”

Bowden has coached the two big teams like West Virginia and Florida State at over the past 43 seasons because Seminoles would likely to come against West Virginia in the game. Catlett said,

“I think it would be great for the Gator Bowl but also a great way for the city to honor him.”

Gator Bowl Association have to finalize matters in the conference before it’s official. Catlett said,

“We have to get permission from the conference,”

He added,

“We like to wait until Sunday but with all of this going on I am pretty sure the conference would honor Bowden.”

Well as far as the rules are concerned, Saturday’s ACC Championship Game between Clemson and Georgia Tech., loser of that game will not be required at Gator Bowl. According to Catlett, Virginia Tech. is going to be selected by the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta. Catlett said,

“We absolutely have had discussions,”

He added,

“We have a one-win rule but we aren’t required to take the loser of the ACC Championship Game. We can look at the next level down and the next level is a 5-3 or 4-4 (in conference).”

Expected retirement announcement by Coach Bowden will be tough for Catlett and the services of Bowden can never be forgotten. Catlett said,

“It hasn’t sunk in,”

He added,

“It is hard to believe college football without Bobby Bowden. The excitement and the thrill that I will get to see him coach his last game. Vince Dooley coached his last game in the Gator Bowl so it is kind of a once in a lifetime.”

On New Year’s Day at 1 p.m the Gator Bowl is played and it will be televised by CBS Sports.