New Year’s replay: Vols in Outback Bowl

For the second year in a row, Tennessee's football team will spend the holidays in Florida.

A day after falling to LSU in the SEC championship game, Tennessee accepted a bid to the Outback Bowl on Sunday, marking the second consecutive year UT will spend New Year's Day in Tampa.

The 16th-ranked Vols (9-4) will face No. 18 Wisconsin (9-3) at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ESPN will televise the game, which kicks off at 11 a.m.

Tennessee lost to Penn State in last year's Outback Bowl, which dropped the Vols' record to 2-5 in its last seven bowl games.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer wants to see that result change on this return visit to Tampa.

"We'll kind of put closure on this season and make it a kick off to next year," Fulmer said Sunday. "We have a chance to win 10 ballgames and send the seniors out in fine fashion."

Having the same team two years in a row hasn't been an issue for the Outback Bowl's selection committee, as evidenced by repeat trips for South Carolina (2001, 2002), Florida (2003, 2004) and Ohio State (2001, 2002).

It wasn't an issue this year, either.

"There was no question we'd love to have a team like this back," Outback Bowl president/CEO Jim McVay said. "Very successful team, fun to watch, huge fan following. That's the reason why you bring these guys back.

"In some situations, you really don't want to bring someone back. But Tennessee, it was just too clear that everyone was just enamored with the Volunteers. The experience we had last year was just so positive. These guys are exceptional."

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said that UT's strong finish was a major selling point.

Despite Saturday's loss, the Vols have won eight of their last 10 games after starting the season 1-2.

"I think that says something," Hamilton said. "I think our team deserved to play on New Year's Day. I think the conference concurred with that and the bowl executive directors that I talked to felt that way as well."

Per an agreement with the SEC, the Outback, Capital One and Cotton bowls must select the SEC championship game loser once every four years.

The Cotton Bowl, which selected Arkansas for this year's game, must select the championship game loser in either 2009 or 2010.

UT will receive about $1.25 million for its Outback Bowl appearance, including its share of the SEC payout for the bowl and a mileage allowance.

"That's the budget we'll operate off of," Hamilton said. "We'll budget to break even on this bowl."

UT's share of the $3.1-million payout from the Outback Bowl will be $1.04 million, the same total it received last year.

Tennessee's ticket allotment is 11,000. As of Thursday, UT had Internet pre-orders for about 4,000.

UT received more pre-orders for only the Sugar Bowl and Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Tickets are $65 and available through the UT ticket office beginning today, online at UTSports.com.

Once UT's allotment is sold out, remaining tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Injury Update: Linebacker Ryan Karl appears to have chipped a bone in his right elbow, Fulmer said.

Defensive back Nevin McKenzie likely suffered a small fracture in his right ankle.

Both will be evaluated further today, which will determine their status for the Outback Bowl.

Contract Update: Hamilton said when Fulmer's forthcoming contract extension is completed, Fulmer will have seven years remaining on his deal.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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