If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Tampa, FL.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Tampa, FL, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Tampa, FL.
Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Tampa, FL can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Tampa, FL, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
Red Phone Booth EntryTampa Florida Franchise Owners (Smith Brothers) with Red Phone Booth Hospitality and Roaring Franchises Team Members - L-R: Greg Grant, Ramon Arocha, Michael Smith, Scott Smith, Stephen de Haan & Milton McMillanThe Exclusive 1920's Prohibition Experience is Coming to Downtown Tampa on the First Floor of the Frontier BuildingWe are so thrilled to announce our newest location in Florida alongside our dedicated partners Mike Smith and Scott Smith.”— Stephen de Haan, ...
Red Phone Booth Entry
Tampa Florida Franchise Owners (Smith Brothers) with Red Phone Booth Hospitality and Roaring Franchises Team Members - L-R: Greg Grant, Ramon Arocha, Michael Smith, Scott Smith, Stephen de Haan & Milton McMillan
The Exclusive 1920's Prohibition Experience is Coming to Downtown Tampa on the First Floor of the Frontier Building
We are so thrilled to announce our newest location in Florida alongside our dedicated partners Mike Smith and Scott Smith.”
— Stephen de Haan, Red Phone Booth Hospitality Group
TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES, December 10, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Red Phone Booth, a true 1920's Prohibition Experience, is slated to open their second franchise partnership in Florida with Amendment XVIII Hospitality Group, owned by brothers Michael Smith and Scott Smith, in Tampa, FL in 2025.
Red Phone Booth Tampa will occupy the first floor (7,053 square feet) of the Frontier building in downtown Tampa located at 610 East Zack Street.
This is the sixth location nationwide and the second franchise location in Florida to include the first location in Miami's Brickell neighborhood that opened earlier this year. With the original location in downtown Atlanta, Red Phone Booth expanded locations that include the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Nashville, TN, Dallas, TX, Miami, FL and now Tampa, FL.
Red Phone Booth's parent franchise company, Roaring Franchises, specializes in the nightlife side of the food and beverage industry. Their team of experts are dedicated to providing franchisees with a world-class food and beverage franchise model and training.
Red Phone Booth Hospitality and Roaring Franchises was founded and curated by Stephen de Haan (in photo).
"We are so thrilled to announce our newest location in Florida alongside our dedicated partners Mike Smith and Scott Smith," said Stephen de Haan. "Red Phone Booth is more than just a brand; it's a dedication to exceeding guest expectations and establishing the gold standard with our Prohibition Experience. We look forward to bringing our best-in-class establishment to the Tampa Bay community."
Red Phone Booth is an exceptional prohibition experience featuring a turn of the century craft cocktail selection, small bites menu and walk-in humidor. With its intimate ambiance, handcrafted cocktails, and unparalleled service, Red Phone Booth offers an extraordinary destination for members to conclude their day with colleagues over a specialty craft cocktail. While the exclusive lounge is open to the public, part of the unique prohibition experience is that guests need a secret phone number from a member or local hotel concierge to dial into the restored London antique red phone booth to gain entry.
Red Phone Booth locations feature a stunning interior reminiscent of a clandestine hideaway, exquisite design elements, including vintage-inspired décor, plush seating, and dimly lit surroundings, creating an atmosphere that exudes timeless elegance. Each venue features a honey onyx bar, intimate fireplaces, custom Italian leather couches, and a Mafia Room for private events. In addition, you'll find hand-painted ceilings with back lighting by renowned artist Christian Waggoner (Star Wars / Lucas Arts) as well as his fine art throughout the venues.
Red Phone Booth also offers a world-class mixology program curated by an expert team of bartenders. Patrons can expect a cocktail menu featuring an extensive selection of over 400+ spirits including rare bourbon, whiskey, scotch, tequila and Japanese whisky selections. Guests have come to expect the finest attention to detail that provides for exceptional cocktails including 100% fresh squeezed juices to include lemon, lime, orange, pineapple and cranberry juices. In addition, craft cocktails have hand chipped double-reverse pass osmosis ice, garnishes cut to order, a collection of some of the rarest liquors available and over a dozen tinctures, bitters and flavoring agents to help breathe new depth. Red Phone Booth is known for its exclusive member tasting events where members sample flights of whiskey, bourbon, scotch or tequila and learn the spirits' history from key leaders in the industry.
Patrons enjoy exceptional Italian inspired appetizers and small bites menu as well as a variety of fresh authentic Neapolitan Pizzas made to order. In addition to its extraordinary libations, Red Phone Booth also offers an extensive selection of 200+ products from the temperature and humidity controlled walk-in humidor. In developing their humidor, Red Phone Booth prioritized quality and desirability of the cigars over quantity of any one brand, therefore will continually bring in fresh new inventory.
Red Phone Booth spares no expense on the latest, state-of-the-art ventilation system that completely cleans or replaces 100% of the air in the venue approximately every two (2) minutes. Extensive time, money, and effort was placed in the state-of-the-art AAON ventilation system, and other additional temperature-controlled fresh air intakes and exhausts. Additionally, Red Phone Booth installed proprietary Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization technology, the only air purification solution to test for SARS-CoV-2, achieving a 99.4% reduction of the surface strain within 30 minutes. Members and their guests can feel safe and have maximum smoking enjoyment while relaxing in the lounge.
Red Phone Booth's goal is to provide each guest with the most memorable experience, always looking for opportunities to exceed each guest's expectations, while maintaining a sincere gracious attitude. From the comfort of the seating to the training and knowledge of the staff, and the quality of the air, it is all of these things and more that allow for Red Phone Booth to deliver an unparalleled experience for its guests.
Memberships are reciprocal at all locations and range from $400 (individual) to $7,500 (corporate), depending on the location, with packages in between.
For more information about Red Phone Booth, visit www.RedPhoneBooth.com.
For more information about Roaring Franchises, visit their website at www.RoaringFranchises.com.
Link to full press release here: https://conta.cc/4gqwBtA
Tresa Halbrooks LEGACY PR [email protected]
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Posted on December 9, 2024Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Thomas Jefferson High School in Tampa, FL.The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.See where it ranks among other top schools in Florida here.NFL Players from Jeffereson HS Player Pos Teams Fr...
Posted on December 9, 2024
Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Thomas Jefferson High School in Tampa, FL.
The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.
See where it ranks among other top schools in Florida here.
Player | Pos | Teams | From | To |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Moore | WR | BAL,HOU,TEN,ARI | 2016 | 2024 |
Ventell Bryant | WR | DAL | 2019 | 2019 |
Ramik Wilson | ILB | KAN,LAR,ARI | 2015 | 2019 |
Andre Caldwell | WR | CIN,DEN | 2008 | 2015 |
Reche Caldwell | WR | SDG,NWE,WAS | 2002 | 2007 |
Keith Newman | LB | BUF,ATL,MIN,MIA | 1999 | 2006 |
Torrance Small | WR | NOR,STL,IND,PHI,NWE | 1992 | 2001 |
K.D. Williams | LB | OAK,GNB | 1999 | 2001 |
Kirby Dar Dar | WR | MIA | 1995 | 1998 |
Coleman Bell | TE | WAS | 1995 | 1995 |
Oscar Smith | RB | DET | 1986 | 1986 |
Steve Stephens | TE | NYJ | 1981 | 1981 |
Rick Casares | FB | CHI,WAS,MIA | 1955 | 1966 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Seasonal & HolidaysNearly 60 million Americans live with arthritis including more than 4.5 million people in Florida-with 800,000 in Tampa BaySandra Boulton, Community ContributorYouth are also susceptible to arthritis, osteoart...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Sandra Boulton, Community Contributor
Youth are also susceptible to arthritis, osteoarthritis and auto-immune arthritis diseases (Courtesy of Arthritis Foundation, Florida, Tampa Bay)
The 2024 Jingle Bell Run for arthritis returns to Tampa Bay at 9 a.m. Sunday, December 15, 2024. The Arthritis Foundation is celebrating 40 years of this family-friendly fundraiser taking place at George M. Steinbrenner Field 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa, Fl. 33614. More than 1000 runners, walkers and cheering fans are expected to gather and fuel the fight to conquer arthritis and raise $112,500.
All are welcome to this annual, holiday-themed 5K fun run/walk and one-mile walk that encourages participants to dress in festive costumes and get moving to raise awareness and funds to cure America’s #1 cause of disability.
Nationwide in more than 100 cities, the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run benefits the nearly 60 million Americans (1 in 4 adults), including 300,000 children (1 in every 250), living with arthritis every day. Monies raised help fund cutting-edge research for new treatments, advocating for health care access, and helping those living with arthritis attain everyday victories.
New this year, the Tampa Bay Jingle Bell Run introduces a canine honoree along with distinguished human honorees. Auto-immune and orthopedic arthritis can affect humans of all ages and beloved pet family members. Acknowledging the importance of the human-animal intersection, the richness pets bring to families, the Arthritis Foundation Florida is celebrating pet arthritis warriors this year too.
The following people, pup and partners will be honored at the event:
Locally, the Arthritis Foundation and the Purple Playas Foundation have partnered to create a Holiday Hurricane Hope Tree. Attendees are invited to bring unwrapped toys and new this year, holiday decorations, for families with a chronic illness who lost so much during the Hurricanes. Items may be placed under the tree at the Jingle Bell Run.
The Jingle Bell Run is nationally presented by Zoetis with signature sponsor, Novartis. Locally sponsored by Tampa General Hospital. Other sponsors include Sunshine Rheumatology, HCA Florida Healthcare, IV Solutions Rx and WellMed. All participants receive an official Jingle Bell Run T-Shirt, finisher medal and jingle bells. There is an in-person and virtual participation option. To learn more and register for the Tampa event, visit http://JBR.org/Tampa or contact the Arthritis Foundation at [email protected].
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. The Arthritis Foundation’s goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day another stride towards a cure. Learn more at www.Arthritis.org
Event Schedule
Sunday, December 15, 2024
New Hillsborough County location will host grand opening celebration Friday December 13A grand opening celebration will be held Friday, December 13, beginning at 9 a.m., featuring music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to register for upcoming patient education sessions."This dispensary offers a new, convenient shopping location for Tampa patients and caregivers," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer ...
New Hillsborough County location will host grand opening celebration Friday December 13
A grand opening celebration will be held Friday, December 13, beginning at 9 a.m., featuring music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to register for upcoming patient education sessions.
"This dispensary offers a new, convenient shopping location for Tampa patients and caregivers," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. "We are proud to expand access to medical cannabis in Hillsborough County with affordable, high-quality products and elite customer service."
Trulieve Tampa Kennedy, located at 2017 West Kennedy Boulevard, will be open 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sundays, offering walk-in and express pickup service.
The new dispensary will carry a wide variety of popular products including Trulieve's portfolio of in-house brands such as Alchemy, Co2lors, Cultivar Collection, Modern Flower, Momenta, Muse, Roll One, Sweet Talk, and Trekkers. Customers will also have access to beloved partner brands such as Alien Labs, Bellamy Brothers, Binske, Black Tuna, Blue River, Connected Cannabis, DeLisioso, Khalifa Kush, Love's Oven, Miami Mango, O.pen, Seed Junky, and Sunshine Cannabis, all available exclusively at Trulieve in Florida.
Across Florida, Trulieve offers home delivery, convenient online ordering, and in-store pickup. Veterans receive 20% off every order when they show their military ID, and all first-time guests are eligible for a 60% new customer discount at any Florida Trulieve location. For more information, or to learn how to become a registered patient, please visit Trulieve.com and connect on Instagram or Facebook.
About TrulieveTrulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.
Facebook: @Trulieve Instagram: @Trulieve_ X: @Trulieve
Investor ContactChristine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations+1 (424) 202-0210[email protected]
Media ContactPhil Buck, APR, Corporate Communications Manager+1 (406) 370-6226[email protected]
SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
Barely a month ago, the Florida Gators' season appeared destined to end in turmoil.Instead, it will end in Tampa.The Gators will face American Athletic Conference runnerup Tulane (9-4) in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 20. Florida also appeared in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl, losing 29-17 to UCF.The 3:30 p.m. game will be televised on ESPN and serve as a prelude of sorts to that night’s College Football Playoff opening-rounder between Notre Dame and Indiana.Meantime, Miami’s consolat...
Barely a month ago, the Florida Gators' season appeared destined to end in turmoil.
Instead, it will end in Tampa.
The Gators will face American Athletic Conference runnerup Tulane (9-4) in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 20. Florida also appeared in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl, losing 29-17 to UCF.
The 3:30 p.m. game will be televised on ESPN and serve as a prelude of sorts to that night’s College Football Playoff opening-rounder between Notre Dame and Indiana.
Meantime, Miami’s consolation prize for narrowly missing a College Football Playoff berth will be a Dec. 28 trip to Orlando to face Big 12 runnerup Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
The Gators (7-5) won their last three games — including home upsets of then-No. 21 LSU and then-No. 9 Ole Miss — to achieve their first winning season since 2020. That late-season surge had most presuming they were destined for the Gator or ReliaQuest Bowl, both of which are a bit higher on the SEC’s bowl pecking order.
But the Gator Bowl opted for Ole Miss, while the ReliaQuest gets Alabama (9-3) in its game (formerly the Outback) for the first time in 28 years. The Crimson Tide face Michigan (7-5) in a rematch of that Jan. 1, 1997, Outback Bowl, Gene Stallings' last as Tide coach.
“This will be a matchup of two blue-blood programs in a great venue that our fans will enjoy,” Tide coach Kalen DeBoer said.
The wait is over! ???? This year’s ReliaQuest Bowl is bringing Michigan and Alabama to Tampa for an epic SEC vs. Big Ten showdown. ???? pic.twitter.com/D6JOYUgTO9
— ReliaQuest Bowl (@ReliaQuestBowl) December 8, 2024
Sparking UF’s resurgence has been true-freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, who has nine touchdown passes in six starts and entered the season finale at FSU leading all Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks with a 97.3 passing grade on deep balls (20 or more yards).
His Green Wave counterpart might never make it to Tampa. On3.com reported late Sunday that Tulane redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah, who has thrown for 2,723 yards and 22 TDs this season, is entering the NCAA transfer portal.
Mensah’s top target this year, Green Wave receiving leader Mario Williams (54 catches, 940 yards, five TDs), is a Plant City High alumnus. The two hooked up six times for 109 yards and a TD in Friday’s 35-14 loss at Army in the AAC title game.
The Hurricanes (10-2), 42-38 losers at Syracuse in their regular-season finale, finished 13th in the final CFP rankings and were deemed the first team out of the 12-team playoff field by the selection committee on Tuesday evening. At that time, committee chairman Warde Manuel said there would be no re-ranking of teams that didn’t play in conference title games.
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Whether Miami quarterback Cam Ward makes it to Orlando is unclear. A Heisman contender and projected first-round NFL draft choice, Ward could choose to opt out to prepare for the next level.
Iowa State’s playoff hopes were dashed with a 45-19 loss to Arizona State in Saturday’s Big 12 title game.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl represents a de facto homecoming for Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht, a Wiregrass Ranch alumnus who has thrown at least one touchdown pass in a school-record 17 consecutive games. An All-Big 12 honorable mention selection, Becht’s 45 TD passes over the last two seasons are most in the conference in that span.
USF’s trip to the Hawaii Bowl — for a Christmas Eve encounter with San Jose State — was announced last week.
• • •
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