This 67th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Florida Gators, and the Miami Hurricanes, in an in-state rivalry game.
Their opponent would be Big East champion Miami, re-igniting a rivalry between the two teams, who hadn't faced off since 1987, when their annual series was ended due to an increase in conference games for the Gators.
The Hurricanes were seen as contender to play Oklahoma for the national title, however Florida State, a team Miami had defeated in the regular season, was selected leading to controversy over the BCS ranking system.
Florida defeated Auburn in the 2000 SEC Championship Game to earn a berth in the Sugar Bowl as their conference's champion.
In the third quarter, running back Earnest Graham rushed 36 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, and Florida took a 17–13 lead.