Is it possible that Kentucky could earn an invitation to the Taxslayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on December 31?
According to Knoxnews.com, the Wildcats could land in Jacksonville on a technicality.
Georgia or Tennessee would likely be higher choices for the Taxslayer Bowl, but the bowl has an agreement with the Music City Bowl where they try to avoid taking the same team twice in a three-year period. The Volunteers and Bulldogs have both played in Jacksonville in the last two years.
Here’s an excerpt:
Taxslayer Bowl
Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 31
Who goes and why?: The best two options are Tennessee (8-4, 4-4) and Georgia (7-5, 4-4), but they have played in the past two TaxSlayer Bowls. Per an SEC agreement between the Music City Bowl and TaxSlayer Bowl, both bowls are supposed to try to avoid taking the same team twice during a three-year period. But if the Music City Bowl gets Tennessee, that agreement could be put aside to place Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Otherwise, Kentucky (7-5, 4-4) or Arkansas (7-5, 3-5), both seven-win teams, could fill the slot.
Music City Bowl
Nashville, Dec. 30
Who goes and why?: Likely Tennessee or Kentucky, with a small chance of Arkansas or Georgia. Kentucky’s fans would travel well to Nashville. But the Vols may be the front-runner here because of an agreement between the Music City Bowl and TaxSlayer Bowl. The SEC prefers that neither bowl takes a team that it had in the previous two years, and the TaxSlayer Bowl had Tennessee in 2014.
Belk Bowl
Charlotte, N.C., Dec. 29
Who goes and why?: Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina or Tennessee. The Razorbacks and Wildcats are popular picks in projections because they may be the best available. South Carolina (6-6, 3-5) has a worse record, but it’s only about 90 miles away on Interstate 77. For the Gamecocks to get there with only six wins, the SEC would have to make all the seven-win teams happy elsewhere. Tennessee would be a prime pick here if the Music City Bowl doesn’t get the Vols.
