In fact, the game might rank behind only the national championship Sugar Bowl matchup between Florida State and Virginia Tech for fan appeal, Georgia Tech coach George O'Leary said Thursday.
"I truly believe that after that No. 1 game on Jan. 4, this is probably the best matchup as far as talent," O'Leary said. "It should be a great game between two schools who certainly can score a lot of points."
Georgia Tech finished second to Florida State in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Miami was runner-up to Virginia Tech in the Big East.
Head coaches and athletic directors from Georgia Tech and Miami met Thursday to sign the contract for the Gator Bowl. No. 18 Yellow Jackets (8-3) and Hurricanes (8-4) meet on Jan. 1.
"If you look around the country at some of the other matchups, with the tremendous offense that Georgia Tech has and the premiere player it possesses in Joe Hamilton, this is going to provide a tremendous amount of excitement," Miami coach Butch Davis said.
"Just look at the two offenses and the amount of points both teams have been able to score and the type of skilled athletes they've got. It's undoubtedly going to be a very, very exciting ballgame."
Georgia Tech averaged nearly 41 points this season, second in the nation. The Hurricanes scored 155 in three blowout wins to close out the season, including 55-0 romps over Rutgers and Temple.
The Hurricanes will play in their first New Year's Day bowl since 1995. All four Miami losses this season were to bowl-bound teams that finished a combined 40-5 and are ranked in the top 15.
