Northwestern will play in the Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day, the Chicago Tribune reported this afternoon.

The Wildcats’ opponent in the Jacksonville bowl game is not yet determined. They are expected to face an SEC team.

The Gator Bowl selection means NU will not play in the Capital One Bowl, which many fans thought was in reach this year. Instead, Nebraska (10-3) got the nod even after its 70-31 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday.

NU coach Pat Fitzgerald is expected to address the bowl announcement at a news conference this evening.

This story has been updated to reflect new information about Fitzgerald’s news conference.

Josh Walfish contributed reporting.

— Patrick Svitek