Rumor: Cal Football could fill in to play Wake Forest in the Gator Bowl after Texas A&M withdraws
A potential stunning turn to wrap up 2021.
After Texas A&M was ruled out of the Gator Bowl due to COVID-19 protocols, rumors began circulating on a potential fill-in team. According to Brett McMurphy, Rutgers had the first refusal but declined. Could the California Golden Bears be next up?
The Bowl Committee has now been looking for a 5-7 team based on APR. Given Cal’s high APR, they’d be high up on that list for consideration to go to Jacksonville on New Year’s Eve to play Wake Forest. The team is currently home for the holidays, but could they be recalled on quick notice for one last stand?
Already a rumored four teams have reached out.
Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff also subtweeting about the rumors.
Then this tweet sent Cal twitter into a frenzy, including Chase Garbers, who declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Others started chiming in as well.
Is this happening? It could be happening. It could also not be happening. Nothing has been confirmed by anyone, but hey it’s fun to speculate. Cal is definitely in the running if they wan to go.
Best reason not to play in the Gator bowl: as Cal has a reputation for improving as the season progresses, we should hold out for a cancellation in the CFP!
Nice to think about, but Wake is a pretty good team that would probably wipe the floor with a Cal team that would not have time to get properly prepared and conditioned. Plus some of the guys who have already opted out of 2022 in a Bears uniform- Remigio, Tonges, Mettaur, Brooks, Teves - would likely say no thanks. I mean, once you say you're out, you're out. Could be an embarrassment if they play with a depleted roster. Who wants to watch another game like Arizona? If offered, Cal would probably be smart to say no thanks.