While the Gators clash with the Oklahoma Sooners in Miami, much of the Gator Nation will party on University Avenue.
And with a captive audience, bars, clubs and eateries along University will be making the most of the national championship game on Thursday.
Many of the bars will raise their drink prices during the game, and the Florida Book Store already has championship shirts in stock.
Gator City Sports Grill is charging $50 per ticket for reserved seating next to their two big-screen projectors. To avoid the fee, customers can stake out their seats hours in advance.
When the Gators won their last national title in 2007, the seating sold out two days in advance, said Brad Bierman, general manager at Gator City Sports Grill.
The restaurants and bars will also assume the risk of playing host to hundreds of drunken fans.
After the game in 2007, revved-up fans climbed light poles, streaked and, in one case, burned a small Christmas tree in the middle of University Avenue, according to Alligator archives.
"We've had enough events here that we've hopefully learned from our mistakes," said Mike Taphorn, general manager at The Swamp Restaurant.
The Swamp will have 20 security staff members on the floor, 10 more than usual, to handle the crowd, Taphorn said.
Tijuana Flats, along with most other bars and restaurants, won't be serving beer in glass bottles, said David Millis, the restaurant's kitchen manager.
"People like to get drunk and fight," Millis said. "We don't want to hand out weapons."
All of the establishments have been warned by the fire marshal that capacity laws will be strictly enforced on game night.
Many of the bars will have systems in place to ensure that they don't breach capacity, which could mean long lines for eager fans.
