For the Florida Gators, in was almost poetic justice after a tough 2011 campaign to begin the new year by facing the new school of the coach that abandoned them last year.
Yes, Urban Meyer's former team, the Florida Gators takes on his new team the Ohio State Buckeyes in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl.
While Meyer won't be on the sidelines, his influence will be an interesting subplot in a game that features two struggling programs.
The Gators' new coach Will Muschamp's team struggled with a change in offensive philosophy and did not perform well against high quality opponents.
Ohio State also struggled, dealing with the aftermath of the tattoo for memorabilia scandal.
Both teams finished their seasons 6-6.
Here's a capsule of the game:
Taxslayer.com 2012 Gator Bowl: FLORIDA (6-6) vs. OHIO STATE (6-6)
1:00 p.m. ET January 2, 2012 Jacksonville, Fla.
Television: ESPN2
Latest Line: Florida by 2
Florida in Bowl Games: 19-19 (.500)
Florida in Gator Bowls: 6-2 (.750)
Ohio State in Bowl Games: 20-22 (.476)
Ohio State in Gator Bowls: 0-1
SERIES: UF leads, 1-0
LAST MEETING: Florida defeated Ohio State, 41-14, in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8, 2007 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Total Offense: Florida ranks 102nd, Ohio State 107th (out of 120 FBS schools)
Total Defense: Florida 9th, Ohio State 24th