Big 12 commissioner settled for letting Florida Gators, others play in affiliated lower-rung bowls rather than fight for at least one more spot in the College Football Playoff.

In the 2024 college football season, the Florida Gators concluded with a 7-5 record, earning them an invitation to the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl against the Tulane Green Wave. citeturn0search1 This bowl game, while prestigious, is considered a mid-tier postseason event.

During this period, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark voiced concerns about the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection process. He argued that the Big 12 champion deserved a first-round bye over any Group of Five (G5) champion, emphasizing the strength of the Big 12’s schedule and performance. citeturn0search0 Despite his advocacy, the CFP committee’s decisions led to debates about the representation and ranking of teams from various conferences.

The Florida Gators’ participation in the Gasparilla Bowl highlights the broader discussions about bowl placements and the CFP selection criteria. While the Gators secured a bowl game, the focus remains on how teams are evaluated and selected for higher-tier postseason opportunities.

In summary, the 2024 season underscored ongoing debates about the CFP selection process and bowl game assignments, with conference leaders like Yormark advocating for fair representation based on performance and strength of schedule.