Gators, Wolverines to meet in Outback Bowl

TAMPA, FLORIDA - Florida and Michigan accepted invitations Tuesday to play in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. <br> <br> The 23rd-ranked Gators (8-4) have appeared headed to the game in Tampa since Georgia clinched its spot in the Southeastern Conference title game 2.5 weeks ago. <br> <br> Florida closed a disappointing regular season with a 31-14 loss to Florida State last Saturday. Coach Ron Zook will start practices Thursday, and will hold 10 practices before Christmas break starts Dec. 22. <br> <br> ``Well really get back to fundamentals, almost to the point of starting over,&#39;&#39; Zook said. ``We&#39;re going to get a really good look at our younger guys. The guys who are going to be playing a lot for us last year.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Capital One Bowl officials, who have first choice from the pool of SEC teams not in the BCS, told Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley they wouldn&#39;t select the Gators for the game in Orlando. <br> <br> That made Florida an obvious choice for the Outback Bowl, where the Gators have never played. <br> <br> They will face No. 13 Michigan (9-3, 6-2) for the first time. <br> <br> The Wolverines finished third behind Iowa and Ohio State in the Big Ten this season, but when the Capital One Bowl chose fourth-place Penn State (9-3, 5-3), it opened the door for Michigan in the Outback.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186948