After completing their worst regular season performance since 1979, the Florida Gators (6-6) have accepted an invitation to play the Ohio State Buckeyes (6-6) in the 2012 Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, FL.

The game will air live at 1 p.m. on ESPN2 with Mike Patrick, Craig James and Jeannine Edwards assigned to the contest by the network.

Held continuously since 1946, the Gator Bowl is the sixth oldest college bowl game and the first one televised nationally.

It is one of three Southeastern Conference-Big Ten games set to be played on Jan. 2, getting the fifth selection from the SEC and fourth from the Big Ten.

Florida has participated in the event eight times in its history, posting a 6-2 record including a 27-10 win over North Carolina State in their last appearance in 1992. Ohio State has not played in the game since 1978, when they lost 17-15 to Clemson.

(That OSU appearance, the team’s only time playing in the bowl, led to the firing of head coach Woody Hayes, who struck a Clemson player that ran onto his sideline after catching a pass with the game winding down.)

The Gators are 1-0 all-time against the Buckeyes, defeating them 41-14 for the 2007 BCS National Championship in Glendale, AZ.

In addition to the game being a rematch of the 2006 national championship, it features a further level of intrigue seeing as head coach Urban Meyer recently agreed to take over the Ohio State program in 2012. However, current head coach Luke Fickell will lead the Buckeyes in the bowl game as Meyer does not take over until next year.

Each school will earn nearly $3 million for participating in the bowl.

Florida will be appearing in its 21st consecutive bowl game, a mark that ranks first in the SEC and second nationally.

Tags: BCS, BCS National Championship, Big Ten, EverBank Field, Gator Bowl, Ohio State Buckeyes, SEC, Urban Meyer

Just 10 months after coaching his final game with the Florida Gators, Urban Meyer has agreed to don a whistle once again after deciding to become the next head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes beginning in 2012, sources confirmed to ESPN Monday.

Meyer, who has spent the 2011 college football season as an analyst for ESPN, has also been traveling around the country making appearances at events, viewing his daughters’ volleyball games and spending time at home in Gainesville, FL with his wife and son.

A two-time national champion at Florida, Meyer was named Coach of the Decade by Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News in 2009. He led the Gators to a 65-15 record with three 13-1 seasons while at the helm, was 36-13 in Southeastern Conference play and won five of the six bowl games Florida played in during his tenure.

Prior to signing with UF, Meyer won Coach of the Year after leading Utah to a BCS bowl in 2004 and going 22-2 in two seasons. He also went 17-6 from 2001-02 at Bowling Green.

Meyer initially resigned from his post with the Gators on Dec. 26, 2009 due to a health scare but changed his mind – choosing to take a leave of absence instead – and returned to the team on March 17, 2010 for the following season.

Florida went 8-5 during his final year at the helm, and Meyer resigned once again on Dec. 8, 2010 citing his health and decision to spend more time with his family. His final game with the Gators was a 37-24 victory over Penn State in the 2011 Outback Bowl.

An offensive coach at Ohio State from 1986-97, Meyer is a native of Ashtabula, OH who played and graduated from Cincinnati before receiving a master’s degree in sports administration from OSU.

He will take the reins of the Buckeyes from Luke Fickell, who was promoted from co-defensive coordinator to head coach after Jim Tressel was fired in the offseason. Fickell is expected to be retained on the staff at a to-be-announced position.

Tressel was head coach of Ohio State from 2001-10, winning one national championship (2002) and six Big Ten titles (2002, 2005-09) while at the helm.

He resigned in the spring of 2011 after the school learned that he withheld information and lied to NCAA investigators in order to keep players on the field. Tressel had already been suspended by OSU for failing to notify the school of NCAA violations.

The NCAA has yet to fully sanction the Buckeyes but is expected to do so in the offseason. Meyer accepted the Ohio State job aware that punishments are pending.

Photo Credit: ESPN

Tags: Big Ten, Jim Tressel, Luke Fickell, NCAA, Ohio State Buckeyes, SEC, Urban Meyer

Event: Global Sports Shootout
Location: Value City Arena – Columbus, OH [Capacity: 18,809]
Time: 8:00 p.m. (ET)

TV: ESPN2/ESPN2HD
SiriusXM: 85
Online Video: ESPN3.com
Live Updates: @OnlyGators

Odds: Florida +10, O/U 136.5

HOMEWORK

Need to catch up on the Gators before the big game? No problem. OGGOA has been here all season long compiling a ton of information so you can do your homework on the team before its next exam Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

Allen’s Alley: Previewing the 2011-12 Gators | The Countdown: 35-23, 15-1

Ohio State pre-game | Jackson State post-game | UF routs JSU by 40

HISTORY and STREAKS

» Ohio State leads the all-time series against Florida 4-7. The Gators are winless against the Buckeyes in Columbus, OH (0-3) but are 2-2 all-time against them under the stewardship of Donovan. UF defeated OSU 84-75 to win the 2007 NCAA Championship.
» Florida and Ohio State won their respective conferences in 2010-11.
» UF and OSU are each without three starters from a year ago. The Gators no longer have Chandler Parsons, Alex Tyus or Vernon Macklin, while the Buckeyes are missing Dallas Lauderdale, David Lighty and Jon Diebler.
» Florida has never defeated an opponent ranked in the top three in a true road game and has not taken down one ranked No. 4 or better in such a contest since 1988.
» The Gators won their 21st consecutive season opener last week.
» Florida is 7-7 against Big Ten teams under Donovan.
» Ohio State is returning four of their top six scorers from a year ago.
» The Gators won three out of every four road games they played in 2010-11 and captured eight true road victories for the first time since 1993-94.
» Florida has made a three-pointer in 652 consecutive games dating back to Jan. 1992.
» UF has the best winning percentage against ranked opponents (.558) among SEC teams dating back to 1999-2000.
» Tuesday’s game is part of the Global Sports Shootout, in which five teams each play four games against common opponents to begin the season.
» Ohio State has held 11-straight opponents under 67 points.
» The Buckeyes are 81-5 at home against non-conference opponents.
» OSU is 33-5 in November under Matta.
» Ohio State was 19-0 at home in 2010-11, shot 50 percent from the field on their court, outscored opponents by 24.1 points per game and outrebounded them by 6.1 boards.

LAST TIME OUT
Click to expand and read the remainder of the Florida-Ohio State gameday preview.

Tags: Big Ten, Billy Donovan, Brad Beal, Erving Walker, Global Sports Shootout, Jared Sullinger, Kenny Boynton, Mike Rosario, Patric Young, SEC, Thad Matta, Value City Arena

After completing their worst regular season performance under head coach Urban Meyer, the Florida Gators (7-5, 4-4) have accepted an invitation to play the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5, 4-4) in the 2011 Outback Bowl on New Years Day at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

Held continuously since 1986, the Outback Bowl is currently one of three Southeastern Conference-Big Ten games set to be played on Jan. 1.

Florida has participated in the event three times in its history, posting a 1-2 record including a 31-24 win over Iowa in their last appearance in 2005. Penn State has played in the game three times and is 3-0 including a 20-10 victory over Tennessee in 2006.

The Gators are 2-0 all-time against the Nittany Lions.

“We are excited to hear that we are going to the Outback Bowl and play in another New Year’s Day game,” Meyer said. “We are proud of our history of playing in January Bowl games – not everyone gets to enjoy that experience. We’ve been fortunate around here to be in a bowl game for 20 consecutive years and I’ve told our players and staff to not take that for granted. This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a football team, while having a week of hospitality in the great Gator city of Tampa.”

“I have fond memories of my first bowl game at Florida in the 2006 Outback game. I remember the great job that Jim McVay and his staff did in hosting our football team. I want to thank Jim and the Outback Bowl Committee for inviting us back. We look forward to facing Penn State and one of the true legends in the game in Coach Joe Paterno. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Paterno and I will be honored to have the opportunity to coach in the same game as him.”

With Outback Steakhouse as the game’s title sponsor, the bowl will pay each participating team a minimum of $3.4 million. The Outback Bowl will air and celebrate it’s 25th anniversary on Jan. 1, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. on ABC with the contest being called by Mike Tiricio (play-by-play) and Jon Gruden (color commentary).

Tags: Big Ten, Joe Paterno, Outback Bowl, Penn State Nittany Lions, Raymond James Stadium, SEC, Urban Meyer

Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center – Gainesville, FL [Capacity: 12,000]
Time: 6:00 p.m. (EST)

TV: ESPN
Online Video: ESPN3.com
Online Audio: Yahoo!
Live Updates: @OnlyGators

Odds: Florida -2; O/U 142.5

HISTORY and STREAKS

» Ohio State leads the all-time series against Florida 6-4, but the Gators are 2-1 in Gainesville, FL, against the Buckeyes. UF’s last victory against OSU was 84-75 in the 2007 NCAA National Championship game, but Ohio State struck last with a 62-49 win in Columbus, OH, in 2007.
» Florida hasn’t fared well against the Big Ten, posting a 15-26 all-time record against the conference; however, the Gators defeated then-No. 2 Michigan State 77-74 just last year in a similar early season game.
» UF has started the season with a 2-0 record for the last eight years.
» Under Donovan, the Gators have defeated 10 top five opponents. The last three have all been against the Big Ten.

KEEP AN EYE ON…
Some contributions from Malik Grady – OGGOA Correspondent

» Defending freshman Jared Sullinger…who is 6’9” and 280 lbs. but has an offensive repertoire as a big man that will match any seen across the entire country this year. Sullinger simply knows how to score and use his body to put stress on defenses. He can shoot, post up and move without the ball.
» Force turnovers from David Lighty…who is a senior that handles the ball for Ohio State but is not a true point guard. He showed some weakness in their opener with four turnovers and is prone to making mistakes.
» Establish a fast tempo…by trapping in the half court and shooting at a high percentage. If Florida doesn’t score early, the Gators are often unable to set up the press, where smaller guys like junior PG Erving Walker and sophomore guard Kenny Boynton can thrive more as defensive factors.
» Stay out of foul trouble…something that could certainly happen early to hobbled redshirt senior center Vernon Macklin and green freshman C Patric Young against the Buckeyes’ strong and physical frontcourt.
» Let senior F Chandler Parsons get his…because once he gets on a roll it become increasingly difficult to cool him down. Parsons will have a number of responsibilities on Tuesday, but feeding him the rock early on the perimeter and allowing him to make some plays will pick him up from the get-go.
» Take advantage of the home crowd…which is hungry for a victory in Gainesville after the football team suffered a tough loss on Saturday. The O’Connell Center can be one of the toughest places to play in the United States (recently ranked No. 5) when the crowd is hyped and into the game.

INJURIES

» Active: Redshirt senior C Vernon Macklin (knee)
» Inactive: Redshirt junior F Adam Allen (knee)

Tags: Big Ten, David Lighty, Erving Walker, Jared Sullinger, Kenny Boynton, National Championship, NCAA, O'Connell Center, Patric Young, Vernon Macklin

When conference realignment became a hot topic a few weeks ago, a contingent of six Big 12 schools – Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado – were expected to leave the conference and join up with the Pac-10, with Nebraska also deciding to part ways and become the 12th member of the Big Ten.

A report Sunday from Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com states that, while Colorado and Nebraska have already left, a retooled 10-team Big 12 may be able to stay together if conference commissioner Dan Beebe can secure a substantial television contract. Texas is reportedly considering all options and would be amenable to earning as much as $17 million per season under the new deal.

In the same article, Brown notes that Texas A&M “has been in deep discussions with the SEC and as of Saturday night had enough votes on its Board of Regents to join the SEC” rather than potentially following Texas and company to the Pac-10. The SEC, which covets Texas and Oklahoma for expansion, would settle on adding Texas A&M due to the expanded reach it would receive in the Dallas and Houston television markets.

[UPDATE: Texas A&M turned down an official offer to join the Pac-10 on Sunday.]

However, if Texas decides to remain in the Big 12 – Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are tied-in as well – chances are Texas A&M would also stay put.

Should Texas A&M choose to join the SEC, it’s 100-year rivalry with Texas would be in jeopardy, but it would pick up its old natural rivalry with Arkansas, which flourished at one time in the now defunct Southwest Conference.

Tags: Big 12, Big Ten, Dan Beebe, NCAA, Pac-10, SEC, SWC, Texas A&M Aggies

Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan added more depth to his frontcourt Tuesday, earning a commitment from three-star power forward recruit Cody Larson (Sioux Falls, SD), according to the Argus Leader. Donovan visited Larson’s hometown Friday, and the former Iowa commit returned the favor by taking a two-day trip to Gainesville, FL, beginning Monday.

At 6’9″ and 225 lbs., Larson is the second forward and third recruit Donovan has signed for his 2010 class in as many days. He averaged 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists at Roosevelt High School and was also being pursued by Kansas, Arizona State and Indiana (among others). However, per Big Ten transfer rules, Larson was prevented from receiving a scholarship offer from a conference team without an appeal.

He decided to seek a release from his commitment to the Hawkeyes after Iowa fired head coach Todd Lickliter and replaced him with Fran McCaffrey, formerly of Siena. The coveted student-athlete was reportedly suspended for the conclusion of his senior season, though the school did not make details public.

Larson is the second recruit Donovan has pulled out of South Dakota during his tenure as Florida’s coach (Mike Miller, 1998-2000). He may not even be the last high schooler on Donovan’s list this year.

The Gators’ coach is still reportedly pursuing two 2011 point guards who appear willing and able to graduate early in order to commit as a part of the team’s 2010 class. Either Matt Carlino (Bloomington, IN) or Scottie Wilbekin (Gainesville, FL) could potentially be Florida’s fifth 2010 commitment.

Whoever chooses to sign would join Larson, four-star forwards Patric Young (Jacksonville, FL) and Casey Prather (Jackson, TN), three-star Will Yeguete (Melbourne, FL) and Rutgers transfer guard Mike Rosario (Jersey City, NJ), though Rosario will not be eligible to play until 2011-12.

In order to sign five recruits to scholarships, further changes are likely abound inside the Florida program. Sophomore guard Ray Shipman has already decided to transfer, many believe freshman point guard Rod Tishman may return to Israel, redshirt sophomore forward Adam Allen could retire and junior forward Alex Tyus has submitted his name for evaluation for the 2010 NBA Draft. Florida would need either Tishman, Allen or Tyus to leave the program or else it would exceed its allotment of 13 scholarships.

Photo Credit: Des Moines Register

Tags: Adam Allen, Alex Tyus, Big Ten, Billy Donovan, Casey Prather, Cody Larson, Draft, Fran McCaffrey, Iowa Hawkeyes, Matt Carlino, Mike Miller, Mike Rosario, NBA, Patric Young, Ray Shipman, Rod Tishman, Scottie Wilbekin, Todd Lickliter, Will Yeguete

1 » Florida Gators sophomore offensive tackle Matt Patchan has had a tough time getting on the field since his arrival in Gainesville, FL. Suffering a gunshot in his shoulder before donning the Orange and Blue, Patchan also dealt with a bout of mono, right shoulder surgery and a torn left pectoral muscle early in his career. Then, he injured his knee after falling off of a scooter and pulled a hamstring. It looked like he would finally be healthy for the 2009 season, and he was until tearing his ACL after the fourth game of the season. Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel reports that Patchan is doing well and should be able to return to action this year even though he will not be participating in spring practice beginning March 17. “He just needs to get better,” his father Matt Patchan, Sr. told Fowler. “After that, everything will take care of itself and he can act naturally on the field. But we’re very pleased with how the knee has responded.”

2 » In order to reduce the gray area in the “indisputable video evidence” clause in the NCAA rulebook, the Southeastern Conference has decided to add high definition televisions to its instant replay booths beginning with the 2010 college football season. The Big Ten and Big 12 have joined the SEC in adding HDTVs, while the ACC is still considering it. “I think it’s a good move,” said national coordinator of football officials David Perry. “Sometimes a guy at home with high definition was getting a better view of the replay than the guy in the stadium at the booth.”

Tags: ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, instant replay, Matt Patchan, NCAA, SEC