It may come down to which school needs & wants a very large check.
This year’s Gator Bowl payout is $5.35 million.
Could a playoff team from a lower division be considered ?
Maybe James Madison University since this #3 seed lost in the semi-finals ?
Or South Dakota State which is the other semi-final playoff loser ?
Or one of the two teams slated to play in the championship final = North Dakota State or Montana State.
University of Montana defeated then #20 University of Washington–a Pac 10/12 team–earlier this year.