Gator Bowl moves to contingency options to replace Texas A&M, per reports

Since Texas A&M has bowed out of the Gator Bowl because of COVID-19, the bowl game is looking hard for a replacement team to face Wake Forest.

Gator Bowl officials are going to exhaust all options to put on a game. Wake Forest (10-3) really wants to play after one of the best seasons in school history, Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported.

Sources: In the quest to find a Gator Bowl opponent for Wake Forest, one of the options being discussed is finding a team that’s already played in a bowl game. They’d need to get a waiver to play in another.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 22, 2021

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

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 22, 2021

The Demon Deacons next opponent could be a team they faced already, so that may mean an ACC opponent.

Another option is that they play a team that’s already played a bowl game, but that appears to be a long shot as well.

Wake Forest finished second in the ACC behind Pittsburgh.

It would be upsetting to players, coaches, and fans of the team if they are unable to face an opponent this bowl season after how well they have played.