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?

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 said

RedditCFB @RedditCFB

Going down the list of 5-7 teams if Rutgers declined and Pac-12 teams are not eligible per conference rules, the next available team who would be entitled to take Texas A&M’s place in the Gator Bowl is… Texas. 👀👀👀 https://t.co/rO4zHqSQnP

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 said

Already a rumored four teams have reached out.

Andrea Adelson @aadelsonESPN

Wake AD John Currie says at least 4 teams have reached out already to play them in the Gator Bowl.

Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff also subtweeting about the rumors.

George Kliavkoff @Kliavkoff

Well, this day went from 0 to 100 pretty fast...

Then this tweet sent Cal twitter into a frenzy, including Chase Garbers, who declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Chase Garbers @ChaseGarbers

🐊👀 https://t.co/yuvKIYMK9s

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

Others started chiming in as well.

Luc Bequette @LucBequette

🤞🏽🐊☀️ https://t.co/XXzfVLGz7n

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

Valentino Daltoso @V_Tino33

🐊👀

Matthew Cindric @matthew_cindric

🐊… anyplace anytime

Collin Moore @CollinMo16

Not bad

Brayden Rohme @Brayden7475

🐊 🥣 it’s time

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.