Gator Bowl 2018, NC State vs. Texas A&M: Where, when, and team info
The game in Jacksonville now has its matchup (and its old name back).
Who’s playing in the 2018 Gator Bowl?
NC State (9-3, 5-3 in ACC)
The Wolfpack are squarely in that mess of ACC teams that are fine, even good, but clearly not good enough to be a national player. In other words, they’re very NC State. They have a solid offense, led by a senior and future pro quarterback Ryan Finley. Kelvin Harmon might be the best receiver in the country whom nobody talks about. Unfortunately, the defense is mediocre, and that put a cap on what this team could become.
Texas A&M (8-4, 5-3 in SEC)
The Aggies fared solidly in Jimbo Fisher’s first season. They were more competitive than just about anyone else against both Alabama and Clemson. It would’ve been nice to win one of their road games at Mississippi State or Auburn, and they probably should’ve won the one on the Plains. But they closed with three straight wins, including a historic seven-overtime triumph over LSU, which then featured a bizarre on-field fracas involving Fisher’s nephew and also A&M receivers coach Dameyune Craig.
Where is the Gator Bowl?
It’s at TIAA Field in Jacksonville, the recently renamed home of the Jaguars. Last year, the game was called the TaxSlayer Bowl and played at EverBank Field, but it’s the same game in the same place. The Gator Bowl was the initial name for this game, which had existed since the 1945 season. TaxSlayer took over the name in 2014 and still sponsors the game, but now it’s called by the name it was always called by before, which is a nice touch.
When is the Gator Bowl, and how can I watch it?
Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
