JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl hits primetime TV on Thursday night. Here’s what you need to know about the 80th game at EverBank Stadium.
Who are the teams
Ole Miss (9-3) and Duke (9-3). The Rebels are ranked 16th in the country in the AP poll.
TV
The game will be televised on ESPN. Kickoff is at 8:05 p.m. The kickoff time was moved back to accommodate the Sugar Bowl’s new day and start time following the incident in New Orleans.
The line
Ole Miss is a 17-point favorite, not what you’d expect from a pair of 9-3 teams. The over/under is 51.5 points. The Rebels opened as a 12-point favorite but that line has ballooned.
Tickets and parking
Are available for as low as $40 through Ticketmaster. More ticket options can be found here. Parking is $40 and can be purchased here. Parking lots open at 2:30 p.m. and gates for the game open at 5:30 p.m.
Parking passes are completely mobile so have your pass downloaded and ready, and arrive early!
Construction around the sports complex will impact traffic patterns on game day. Fans are encouraged to arrive at lots 2 hours before kickoff for minimal delays.
Transportation
The Kings Avenue Parking Garage ($10 round trip per person) and the JTB Park-n-Ride lot ($15 round trip per person) will be available for Gameday Xpress service beginning at 5:30 p.m. The last bus returns one hour after the game ends.
All Gameday Xpress passes must be purchased on your mobile phone through the MyJTA app in advance.
The complimentary Skyway is also available for gameday.
The St. Johns River Taxi will offer $20 round trips from the Southbank Hotel dock to Riverfront Plaza on the Northbank, starting at 3 p.m. with loops about every 20 minutes. Cash only purchase at the dock or pre-purchase online here.
TaxSlayer Tailgate and pep rallies
Free admission to this festive event at the Flex Field from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The indoor venue will be set up with inflatables and traditional tailgate games. Gameday pep rallies are in Daily’s Place with Duke’s rally at 6:30 and Ole Miss’ at 6:45 p.m.
The big names
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart is the star attraction. A three-year starter, Dart has thrown 68 TD passes and 10,213 yards in his career. He also has 12 rushing TDs.
It should have been a major showdown between Dart and Duke QB Maalik Murphy, but Murphy hit the portal and transferred to Oregon State.
Ole Miss LB Chris Paul Jr. (88 tackles) declared for the NFL draft. Cornerback Jadon Canady, a former All-News4JAX player of the year from Sandalwood, and right tackle Micah Pettus also entered the portal.
The history
Ole Miss has played in the Gator Bowl three times, the last a 35-3 loss to Michigan in 1991. The Rebels and QB Archie Manning lost to Auburn 35-28 in 1971 and beat the Florida Gators 7-3 in 1958. Duke has never played in the Gator Bowl.
Stadium policies
EverBank Stadium is a Clear Bag facility. Visitors can bring a clutch, bag or wallet no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″, a one-gallon clear plastic bag or CLEAR bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. All other bags are strictly prohibited. (For medical exception requests, visit the nearest gate supervisor.)
All tickets are mobile only so have your ticket downloaded and ready before arriving at the entry gates. Guests are recommended to have their own mobile ticket. Visit TaxSlayerGatorBowl.com/MobileTicketingGuide for a step-by-step guide on how to download your tickets.
EverBank Stadium is cashless. Cash will not be accepted for any purchases at the stadium. In addition to traditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including Apple, Google and Samsung Pay. All ATMs have been removed from the premises.
To avoid any issues, be sure to leave these prohibited items behind:
- Cameras with detachable lenses or lenses longer than six inches
- Clothing with profane or obscene language/content
- Coolers or containers, including cans, cups (except current year stadium souvenir cup series)
- Bottles and beverages from outside the stadium (except 1 factory sealed plastic bottle of water 16.9 oz or less per ticket holder)
- Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles
- Inflatables, loungers and other floatation devices
- Knives, guns and any type of weapons (including actual, toy or replica) or explosives
- Laser pointers
- Laptop computers
- Noise makers, whistles, and air horns
- Non-lethal weapons and chemical agents (i.e., pepper spray, mace and tasers)
- Pets (except service animals)
- Seat cushions
- Signs or Banners larger than 2′ x 3′
- Sticks or poles (including selfie sticks)
- Strollers or Infant carriers
- Tobacco Products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco)
- Umbrellas
- Video equipment and tape recorders
