Rob C. Witzel/Staff photographer
In Jim McElwain's first season, Florida showed up flat for its bowl game and got flattened by a Big Ten opponent. The Gators, searching for some momentum heading into next season, will try to avoid a repeat performance in the Jan. 2 Outback Bowl.
As anticipated, the Gators, coming off their 54-16 loss to No. 1 Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, on Sunday received and accepted an invitation to the Outback Bowl in Tampa, where they will face Big Ten foe Iowa.
UF did not have far to travel last bowl season, either, but the Gators got trampled by Michigan 41-7 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando.