SUGAR BOWL
Florida (11-1) vs. Louisville (10-2)
Where: Superdome, New Orleans
Time, TV: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Florida by 14
The skinny: Florida missed out on playing for the national title because of its loss to Georgia, but the Gators still could finish in the top three in the nation with a convincing victory. Louisville is making its first appearance in the Sugar Bowl and second in a BCS bowl, and could provide coach Charlie Strong with a significant boost in recruiting momentum by upsetting the Gators of the Southeastern Conference. ... Watch for the matchup of Cardinals QB Teddy Bridgewater against Florida's highly rated defense. Bridgewater ranks eighth in the nation in pass efficiency and averages 287.7 yards passing. Florida's defense ranks fifth nationally in yards allowed, third in scoring defense and first in pass defense efficiency. ... The Gators, making their 40th bowl appearance and ninth in the Sugar Bowl, have won a school-record four consecutive bowls, a streak that dates to their Jan. 8, 2009, BCS title victory over Oklahoma.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
