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.
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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?
Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphy
Gator Bowl could have replaced Texas A&M w/a 5-7 team based on APR, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Rutgers had 1st option, but declined. Other not expected to accept. “How many 5-7 teams have been practicing or are still in school? None,” source saidAlready 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.
RedditCFB @RedditCFB
Low key want the rumors that 5-7 Cal is heading to the Gator Bowl to be true... just to get an incredible matchup of mascots with soulless eyes that will haunt your dreams. Winner gets Purdue. https://t.co/IW2uCRV55nOthers started chiming in as well.
RedditCFB @RedditCFB
Low key want the rumors that 5-7 Cal is heading to the Gator Bowl to be true... just to get an incredible matchup of mascots with soulless eyes that will haunt your dreams. Winner gets Purdue. https://t.co/IW2uCRV55n
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.
Avi just tweeted Cal's season is over.
Tough to see the Cal machine being able to pull something like this off....this is not an Athletic Department or University that can think outside the box, which is needed in situations like this.
Gobears49
Spent a few minutes to see if I could find a player who turned down being in the draft so the cold pick what team they chose to try out for. I'm sure that has happened but I can't prove it.
But here's a list of some famous and non-famous players, with pictures and some commentary, who ended up playing pro football after not being drafted. There are other websites that cover the same topic.
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/who_are_the_greatest_undrafted_players_in_nfl_history/s1__28745575#slide_21