I received a tip that the Hokies have a handshake deal in place to play in the 2010 Gator Bowl against either Cincinnati or West Virginia. If Cincinnati beats Pittsburgh (Saturday 10/5 at noon) we’ll play the Mountaineers otherwise it’s the Bearcats. The source is extremely confident and in the know. But, like all non-published agreements there’s always the possibility it can fall through.

In my opinion our chances of making a BCS game were slim and none. The Peach and Gator Bowl have been the logical choices all along. So unless there’s all out chaos (namely Boise State losing and Clemson winning) expect to ring in the New Year in Jacksonville.

Update (10:25am) via Jacksonville.com: Florida State could be selected for Gator Bowl for Bobby Bowden’s final game.

The Times-Union has learned that given certain conditions, Florida State and West Virginia will be invited to play in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Jan. 1 at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium — a matchup that would be FSU coach Bobby Bowden’s final college game, against the team he coached prior to taking over the Seminoles in 1976.

According to sources familiar with the Gator Bowl Association selection process, it was decided Monday night at a meeting of the selection committee to match the teams under two conditions: that Bowden actually retire as the FSU coach today, as has been widely reported, and that the Seminoles are eligible to be invited to the game, given the outcome of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday and the ACC bowl selection guidelines.

Update (12/2 1:50am) via GoVolsXtra: In another “dream” matchup, Hokies versus Volunteers in the Peach Bowl.

The Chick-fil-A had identified UT as its top target if it slipped past the Outback, and the Vols and Hokies (9-3, 6-2 ACC) now look set to play in Atlanta on Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m.