Florida Bowl Game: 10 Predictions for Gators and Nittany Lions in Outback Bowl

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Flash back to the beginning of the 2010 college football season and set the stage of what’s to come—the Florida Gators and Penn State Nittany Lions battling on New Year’s Day—with one of the two head coaches to retire at the end of the game.

The obvious choice would be 84-year-old Penn State coach Joe Paterno, and by now, everyone knows that prediction would have been incorrect.

Instead, here are 10 present-day, bold, quirky and unorthodox predictions for the Florida Gators, Penn State Nittany Lions and the 2011 Outback Bowl:

 

Ten BOLD and Unorthodox Predictions for the 2011 Outback Bowl

Prediction No. 1

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During the halftime interview, Joe Paterno will either use the phrase “getting licked” or “pin our ears back.”

Prediction No. 2

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With an over-under set at 48—and the way these two offenses have sputtered against marquee competition—the smart bet would be to take the under.

Prediction No. 3

The most significant impact on defense will be made by Penn State LB Michael Mauti, who recovered from a recent shoulder injury and should see plenty of playing time.

Prediction No. 4

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The Gators—with only two 100-yard rushers on the season (Demps vs. USF and Burton against Georgia)—will get its third 100-yard rusher against Penn State.

Prediction No. 5

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The Outback Bowl will have a capacity crowd five times larger than 98 percent of the Tampa Bay Rays’ home games.

Prediction No. 6

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Penn State will win the turnover margin battle (Florida is an overall -12 against AP ranked opponents on the season).

Prediction No. 7

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Deonte Thompson and Derek Moye—by far the leading receivers for each team—will not be each team’s top receiver during the bowl game.

Prediction No. 8

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Despite multiple rumors of his impending retirement, Joe Paterno will announce he’s ready to coach for as many as three more seasons.

Prediction No. 9

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During the bowl game, Urban Meyer will have retired and unretired another nine times—and Billy Donovan will be jealous of his decision-making skills.  I kid, of course.

Prediction No. 10

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THE GAME: Both teams have struggled to score against ranked opponents this season.  Penn State has improved, but the Nittany Lions are still very young—and Urban Meyer’s last game sparks an inspired Florida bunch.

Final: Florida 20, Penn State 17