Gasparilla Bowl Preview: Florida Gators (7-5, 4-4) v. Tulane Green Wave (9-4, 7-1)

A momentum building win awaits the Gators at the Gasparilla Bowl

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst

Defensive Back Trikweze Bridges (Chris Spears photo)

Tulane Offense

Key Players-#7 QB Ty Thompson (6-4, 224, Jr./Oregon), #21 RB Makhi Hughes (5-11, 210, R-So.) #20 RB Arnold Barnes III (5-10, 216, So.), #4 WR Mario Williams (5-9, 178, Jr./USC), #1 Dontae Fleming (6-2, 180, Sr./Louisiana), #5 Yulkeith Brown (5-8, 167, Sr.), #87 Alex Baugman (6-5, 245, Jr.)

Matchups To Watch: Ty Thompson v. Florida Defensive Front, Makhi Hughes v. Florida Linebackers

Tulane will come in to the game led by quarterback Ty Thompson who despite entering his name in the transfer portal is expected to start the game for Tulane. Thompson has only thrown 11 passes on the season but his ability to run is a major part ofthe Tulane attack. Speaking of the running game, while Thompson is a threat, Tulane will rely on its bell cow Makhi Hughes to do most of the heavy lifting in the run game. Hughes was second in the American Conference in yards (1372), attempts (257) and touchdowns (15). He is a versatile back that has big play ability as well as the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. His backup Arnold Barnes III has good size as well and averaged almost five yards per carry in a reserve role. The Florida linebackers will need to make sure that they get to him at the line of scrimmage and prevent him from getting downhill and generating momentum. When Thompson attempts to throw his primary target will be All-AAC receiver Mario Williams. The USC transfer and Plant City native caught 54 passes for 940 yards and five touchdowns this season. Originally a member of the 2021 Oklahoma team, Williams was selected as a Freshman All-American by ESPN that season. Williams is a confident receiver that plays bigger than his 5-9 frame suggest. The matchup between he and corners Dijon Johnson and Trikweze Bridges could make for an interesting watch. To go along with Williams, Tulane has three receivers that bring experience and talent to the Tulane offense. Dontae Fleming, Yulkeith Brown and tight end Alex Bauman have combined for 82 catches and 12 touchdowns. Fleming will be familiar to many on the Gator staff as he spent 2021 as a member of the Louisiana team coached by Billy Napier. Fleming is Tulane’s second leading receiver and also handles punt return duties for Tulane. Miami native Yulkeith Brown was a standout in south Florida and has filled in well since transferring from Texas A&M. Bauman leads the team in touchdown receptions and may be called upon early in the game as a target to help the inexperienced Thompson get acclimated to the passing game early.

Stopping the improvisation of Thompson and the downhill running of Hughes will be the order of the day. Thompson was used mainly as a change of pace runner this season and Tulane will look to lean on that before they opening up the passing game. Florida will look to crowd the box on early downs and force Thompson to show that he can analyze pressures, make the right read, set his feet and make accurate throws. Florida became a very comfortable group exhibiting the ability to mix exotic pressures with great play in the secondary as the season prgressed. If they can handle the running game early look for the “creeper” to be on full display. 

Tulane Defense

Key Players-#0 DL Patrick Jenkins (6-2, 293, Sr.), #13 LB Tyler Grubbs (6-2, 235, Sr.), #15 LB Sam Howard (6-2, 220, Jr.), #32 S Bailey Despanie (6-1, 204, R-Jr.), #6 DB Micah Robinson (6-0, 184, Sr.), #2 S Jalen Geiger (6-1, 205, Gr./Kentucky), #29 Jack Tchienchou (5-10, 181, Fr.) #5 DB Rayshawn Pleasant (6-0, 185, R-So.)

Matchups To Watch: DJ Lagway v. Tulane Secondary, Florida Offensive Line v. Tulane Run Defense

Tulane had five players that were awarded first and second team ALL-AAC honors this season. Upfront, Patrick Jenkins, Tyler Grubbs, and Sam Howard were awarded for their efforts on a defense that finished second in the AAC and 13th nationally. Jenkins was 6th in the conference in sacks, while leading the team in tackles for loss as well. Grubbs and Howard had 59 and 57 total tackles respectively and were the only set of linebackers to be honored on the first or second team in the conference. These two will be tasked with stopping a trio of Florida backs that are playing with a ton of confidence going into the postseason. Florida will lean on its trio of Montrell Johnson Jr., Jaden Baugh, and Ja’Kobi Jackson to set the tone early. The challenge will be thrust upon the duo to fight off the push from the Florida offensive line led by All-American center Jake Slaughter. The secondary for Tulane is a confident experienced group that has a mix of homegrown talent as well as some familiar with the SEC. Kentucky transfer Jalen Geiger leads a group that landed three secondary players on the all-conference teams and will be looking to make some noise against the duo of Chimere Dike and Elijah Badger. Corners Micah Robinson and Caleb Ransaw are arguably the best in the conference while Bailey Despanie and Geiger will not be intimidated by playing the Gators. These matchup on the perimeter between the Florida receivers and Tulane corners will again be one to watch.

The Florida offense begins and ends with DJ Lagway who is already being mentioned as a possible 2025 Heisman candidate.  Lagway has been very efficient throwing the ball while just scratching the surface on his ability to run the ball. While a hamstring has limited his mobility the last month, two weeks of rest has most certainly done the young signal-caller some good. Florida will look to play on Tulane’s side of the playground early and if the running game can be effective that will certainly open the play-action pass that has been a staple for the Gators. 

The Skinny: The Gators have the opportunity to win eight games for the first time since 2020 and a “almost” home game in Tampa is the perfect backdrop for what will be one of nations more intriguing programs of 2025. The momentum that was generated by the team the last three weeks of the season had many thinking the Gators finished the final week as one of the SEC’s best. Tulane was a football team that until Week 12 had eyes on the playoffs and are angry they let it slip away. With some of its best players returning home to Florida to play the Gators, a Gasparilla Bowl win would put the finishing touches on a 10-win season and the fine job Coach Jon Sumrall has done in his first year at Tulane. The game will come down to which team can dominate the line of scrimmage and which quarterback can make the meaningful throw to put the game out of reach. While Thompson is talented and will play better than many expect, Lagway is ascending and leading Florida to its first bowl win in five years will cement his place as the key piece that will look to return Florida to national prominence. Lagway throws for two and Johnson, Baugh, and Jackson do the rest. 

Prediction:  Florida 31 Tulane 17