Getty Images.
After going 8-4 in the regular season, the Texas A&M Aggies were hoping to end their season on a high note against ACC runner-up Wake Forest in the Gator Bowl. But those plans have now changed.
According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, Texas A&M can no longer play in the Gator Bowl due to COVID-19. Per the report, the Aggies simply don’t have enough available players for the game (scheduled for December 31).
Texas A&M’s season will officially end at 8-4, but ends a 12-year streak of bowl game appearances. The last time the Aggies did not play in a bowl game was 2008.
As for the Gator Bowl, Dellenger noted that game officials are currently seeking a team to replace Texas A&M in their game. But that can only happen if another bowl game is impacted. They cannot add a non-eligible team to their game.
Because of a COVID outbreak, Texas A&M is unable to play in the Gator Bowl, sources tell @SINow. Aggies don’t have enough available players.
Gator is searching for a replacement bowl team, sources say, but the only way that’s possible is if another bowl is impacted.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 22, 2021
Texas A&M got off to a rough start to their 2021 campaign, losing their first two SEC games to Arkansas and Mississippi State.
But on October 9, the Aggies shocked the world by upsetting No. 1 ranked Alabama, ending the Crimson Tide’s 19-game winning streak which dated back to the 2019 Citrus Bowl.
The Aggies turned that huge win over Alabama into a four-game winning streak and into the No. 11 ranked team in the country. Unfortunately, losses to Ole Miss and LSU closed out their season with an 8-4 record.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher still has yet to deliver a 10-win season to Texas A&M. Better luck next year.