With the college football world standing on its ear and the Southeastern Conference more tangled than Joakim Noah's hair, there should be some pretty interesting bowl matchups this year.
UF seemed headed for the SEC Championship Game and a potential BCS bowl until Saturday's loss to Georgia opened up a world of post-season possibilities.
Here are my top-five, no matter how unlikely, bowl pairings for the Gators.
Note: technically, the Gators are not eligible for a bowl game yet (they need one more win to qualify), but a boy can dream, right?
1. Allstate Sugar Bowl vs. Ohio State
How it could happen: UF wins the SEC and Ohio State loses to Michigan to finish No. 2 in the Big Ten, earning an at-large bid. For the Gators to make it to Atlanta, they must defeat Vanderbilt and South Carolina while Tennessee loses to Arkansas, Vanderbilt or Kentucky, and Georgia loses to Auburn or Kentucky.
Prediction: The Buckeyes come into the game looking for revenge for last year's 41-14 beatdown in the national title game. In a dramatic finish, Ohio State receiver Brian Robiskie makes a catch in the back of the end zone as time expires. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they still lose 35-20.
2. Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Miami
How it could happen: UF finishes second, third or fourth overall in the conference, and the Hurricanes win the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division but lose the ACC Championship Game.
Prediction: The 'Canes and Gators square off in a preview of next year's early-season matchup. Riding the high of its mid-season turnaround, Miami gives UF a tougher game than expected and the Gators' secondary makes quarterback Kyle Wright look like the reincarnation of Vinny Testaverde, but UF triumphs 38-28.
3. Outback Bowl vs. Illinois
How it could happen: UF finishes second, third or fourth overall in the conference, and Illinois finishes second in the Big 10.
Prediction: Ron Zook makes his glorious return to the state of Florida, and beats his former team 30-27. The Alligator's Nick Zaccardi, an avid Illini fan, comes up with the corny headline 'Juiced' for the paper's cover story after Illinois quarterback Juice Williams scores three times.
4. Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl vs. Florida State
How it could happen: UF finishes sixth, seventh or eighth in the SEC, and FSU places fifth or sixth in the ACC. The Gators are currently tied for sixth, and the 'Noles are tied for seventh.
Prediction: The Gators and 'Noles square off for the second time this season, but the result is the same. UF defensive back Wondy Pierre-Louis intercepts both Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford for touchdowns and simultaneously sets an NCAA high-jump record and earns a gymnastics scholarship with his no-hand front flips into the end zone. Bobby Bowden is enraged when told of the result two days later.
5. AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. East Carolina
How it could happen: UF places sixth, seventh or eighth in the conference, and ECU wins out in Conference USA.
Prediction: The Pirates paint it purple, pulling off a stunning upset in overtime, 48-45. I am forcibly removed from the press box for cheering.
