Tennessee Stat Book
Wisconsin Stats
TAMPA, Fla. — When the ball drops in Times Square — or the fireworks are shot off at Channelside near Tennessee and Wisconsin’s team hotels here in Tampa — all the participants in Tuesday’s Outback Bowl should be long tucked away.
They kind of have to be.
Tuesday’s game kicks off at 11 a.m. (TV: ESPN), the earliest New Year’s Day bowl, edging the Cotton Bowl by 30 minutes.
That early start means an early curfew for both teams.
“We’ll have our normal Friday night before a game – chapel, meetings,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. “They’ll be long tucked in before midnight.”
Tennessee’s curfew is 10:30 p.m., while Wisconsin will perform a bed-check at 11 p.m.
Neither Fulmer nor Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema expects New Year’s Eve to be a distraction.
“It won’t be a distraction for our guys,” Bielema said. “Last year (at the Capital One Bowl) in Orlando, it was a large hotel and you could hear the celebrations. I don’t expect that to be a problem with this team in this hotel.”
Bielema knows the pitfalls of playing a New Year’s Day bowl game, namely that Christmas is a travel day and New Year’s Eve is an early night.
But it has its advantages, too.
“You’ll wake up feeling 95 percent better than most of the people in the world,” Bielema said he tells his players.
Warwick Staying: As expected, Tennessee director of football operations Bruce Warwick will remain at Tennessee.
Warwick had talked with Texas A&M about a similar position under new head coach Mike Sherman.
Warwick and Sherman worked together with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
Warwick, who joined UT’s staff in March after spending 2006 at Duke, has been a key part of the Vols’ search for an offensive coordinator to replace David Cutcliffe.
“I’ve had good help from Bruce Warwick, who by the way has decided to stay at Tennessee and not go to Texas A&M, which is a real positive for us,” Fulmer said.
Search Update: Fulmer acknowledged Monday that he has conducted interviews while in Tampa.
The News Sentinel reported that Michigan quarterbacks coach Scott Loeffler met with Fulmer this week.
“I’ve had a couple conversations with people that have been somewhat in the area and had some time to come by,” Fulmer said. “I have a real full schedule once we get back, starting on (Wednesday) all the way through several days to finish up what we need to finish up.”
Fulmer has said he would like to have a new coordinator in place by Jan. 8, in advance of a big recruiting weekend on Jan. 11.
Badgers’ Backfield: As expected, Wisconsin will start freshman tailback Zach Brown.
Brown has started the Badgers’ last three games, but leading rusher P.J. Hill will be play.
“We’ll start Zach Brown, and how he handles his workload will determine how much P.J. gets it,” Bilema said. “I expect all three of our tailbacks will touch the ball.”
Hill has 1,080 yards on 217 carries, while Brown has 539 yards.
Wisconsin’s third tailback, sophomore Lance Smith, is averaging 6.2 yards per carry and has 406 yards in seven games this season.
Notebook: Wisconsin does not have any players academically ineligible for Tuesday’s game, according to Bielema. … Fulmer said Wisconsin most reminds him of Georgia, because of its offensive balance. … Bielema says the Vols most resemble Purdue on offense and Illinois — or his Badgers team — on defense.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 36
Ironcity writes:
Ironic the coach of Wisconis describes us as a spread team.
TommyJack writes:
Our guys are probably tying bedsheets together right now.
GreerVol22 writes:
checked once at 10:30 and never again....i wonder who will get busted???
I remember our NYC high school trip...bed check at 10pm and again at midnight...after that we all snuck out of the hotel and spent the night some 20 miles from the hotel in times square! It can be done...
GreenbackMike writes:
So we are still blaming Fulmer for KIDS not going to class? What does he have to walk them to class ever day and sit them down? If they are not interested in the chance at a free education, then they deserve what they got. It is not Fulmers fault they forgot what college means. I get so sick of hearing people blame a coach for an athlete failing a class. Do we hold the public liable if an elected official screws up? NO! Fulmer can only do so much
TommyJack writes:
Ah, the faithful. You gotta love'em. Stay the course.
GreenbackMike writes:
Have you met anyone who graduated from UW? I really think UT's standards are just a wee bit higher and the course work is just a little bit tougher. On the other hand, I guess there are not that many hard classes for a major in "Cheese packing".
Is it Bobby Bowdens fault half his team is still in Florida for todays game? NO. Unless a team has 70 some odd coaches to hold these athletes hands You have to hold them responsible for such a stupid mistake. When do they have to account for their actions? When is it the Athletes fault? Ever? According to you I guess it is not their fault. I like you and Most of your Posts, but I will disagree with you til death on this one. They are blowing a great chance at a free education.
volnmdtn writes:
VolnAZ,
Could Fulmer or one of our assistant coaches not checked with professors to see who was attending classes and who was having problems passing before it was to late. If a player wasn't going to class or refused help, then Fulmer should not have beening playing him all along because in the end that player was going to let you and your team down! Do you not think that Summitt or Pearl doesn't have someone checking up on their players!!!! Yes to a certain degree it was FULMERS fault and if you can't see that then maybe you head is in the sand.
volnmdtn writes:
Sorry,
You should have been your. Bad typing on my part.
TommyJack writes:
VolnAz: Sorry, the U of Wis. academics are rated very high. Look it up.
ncvol17 writes:
Yeah, I know a graduate of UW. he runs a software company here in NC. He could probably find 6 jobs on the loading dock for our mensa members. I guess UW can find 6 hrs worth of classes their players can pass with a C average. Are you saying ours are taking astro physics and not Urban studies or Health classes?
99gator writes:
uhhh...
if the staff is doing what it should, you better believe they should be monitoring whether the kids are going to class or how they are doing.
hypothetically, if eric berry were having academic problems wouldn't you want to know so you could get him the help he needs or wait for him to be disqualified (i know berry was not one of the players. but, since most regard him as tenn's best young player... i thought it would make the best example)
andefromtn#212139 writes:
The multi-million dollar Thornton Student-. Athlete Academic Success Center was suppose the fix-all for failing athletes, but the problem is someone forgot to tell a few of the athletes. You can't force immuture adult age people to go class, to study, or keep appointments unless you are willing not to see them play football against Florida if they miss class. UT isn't there yet and proably never will be.
GreenbackMike writes:
OK so the Knock on the education form UW was a little below the belt. I understand. But All I am trying to point out is that it is as MUCH the Athletes fault. No-one has said anything about that. Most posts are about how it is Fulmers fault. It just really frustrates me, We have one of the biggest fan bases in the Country, I mean I meet a different TN fan here in the Desert every day. He is not the worst Coach in the world, Just look at his Record! One of the winningest coaches in history. But you have all made good points I did not think about until then, Just give the players some fault as well please!
GoRed writes:
Just for the record: U.S. News & World Report ranks National Universities. The results are:
#38 University of Wisconsin
#96 University of Tennessee
This really has little to do with athletes, however. It seems to me, that ultimately the coach IS responsible for creating an environment that insists student athletes meet the minimum academic requirements. Obviously the coach has a staff and support network of people to do this! Another component of this is the recruiting process. If you go after kids that can't cut it in college you are bound to have problems. My comments aren't directed at UT. They are generic to any school or program.
Prediction: Badgers 24, Tennesse 14.
TeamXer writes:
"Wisconsin does not have any players academically ineligible for Tuesday’s game, according to Bielema."
I like the "according to Bielema" part. Maybe he's fibbing.
TommyJack writes:
VolnAZ: I'll give 90% of the blame to the student. But there are paid people on staff supposedly watching for things like this.
GoRed writes:
TdTN: The VolnAZ posts caught my eye.
I think the coach sets the tone of the program, from top to bottom, so he has a key responsibility in academic success or failure. A coach has no influence on whether a kid goes to class or not?
For goodness sake, Bobby Bowden controls every aspect of his players life! Are you telling me he doesn't know the pulse of what is going on with his players? Then clearly I have overestimated a guy who has one of the winningest records in college football.
Regardless of school, the coach sets the expectations of the players!
TommyJack writes:
GoRed: Unfortunately, in Bowden's case, he MAY NOT really know what's going on.
GerryOP writes:
YaDa, YaDa, YaDa -- nothing sticks to Good Ol' Teflon Phil. I don't give a sh ... er ... phooey whether you call him the CEO, COO, HMFWIC, King, the Grand Poobah, or any other august title you want to give him. He is in charge of the UT football program and he is responsible for EVERYTHING, repeat, EVERYTHING that happens in that program.
It simply amazes me how all of you Fulmer apologist lemmings casually brush off program failures with "not his job!" PAF is in charge and PAF is responsible. Any questions?
GerryOP writes:
You're exactly right TJ! And, unfortunately, the lemmings' hero GOTP is walking in Mr. Bowden's footsteps. Particularly now that Warden Cutcliffe is on the way out the door!
GoRed writes:
You all are much closer to the scene of the crime, but it seems to me that if Bowden doesn't know what's going on, then it is because he "chooses" to have it that way.
I completely agree with a number of you that it is ultimately ALL the responsibility of the coach.
TommyJack writes:
GerryOP: Exactly...Any semblance of discipline will be on the last bus for Raleigh. We will devolve into pre-Coach Cut days. Sad but true.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TommyJack- has anyone ever figured out ONE thing Phil has to take responsibility for? Anyone! Just one thing would be a start. He gets 2 mil and NO responsibility. Wow. TJ, your lemming sweater came in today. You'll get it about the 3rd.
GerryOP writes:
pdhuff: Good Ol' Teflon Phil - GOTP
Tag line: "Nothin' Sticks to GOTP"
TommyJack writes:
B'day is the 4th, PD. Thanks. I think it's time to tee that baby up. Tired of my own pontificating...maybe have a couple0wines and go to bed. New Years Eve is for rookies.
dfreeman writes:
Tommyjack - I love the comment about tying the bedsheets!! That had me laughing!! Reminded me of a bunch of kids trying to sneak out the window after their parents went to bed!! Let's hope we win tomorrow, I don't want to start another New Year saying we'll get em next year!! Oh and I have to admit that if we hire Taylor (who is looking better than the two mentioned) it certainly makes Fulmer look bad!! Fulmer certainly could help restore a little of my faith if we win tomorrow!! Happy New Year all!!
reedt#304042 writes:
I think the biggest problem with Phil Fulmer is that he never says that he or staff make a mistake! He always blames the team, and never the staff--and certainly never himself. He has lost perspective with his increased wealth and tenure.
skyhawk836 writes:
In fairness to Bowden I don't think it was class attendance or grades that got 'em. According to the Bowl commentators it was a Music History exam on which they cheated or had the test or something like that.
In other words, they could have all been passing (or close) going into the exam and gotten caught in the exam deal; too late for remedy, eligibility wise.
imnotwithphil writes:
I love it when a team curfew is deemed news worthy by the local press... shouldn't we just assume that the team has a curfew the night before a bowl game? Shouldn't the players be disciplined enough (and want to win the game enough) to self-impose a curfew the night before a bowl game? If the players lack that kind of drive/discipline, shouldn’t we assume the coaches will step and impose a curfew? How on earth is this NEWS worth reporting?
This just in: Vols brush teeth before bedtime! Take the KNS on-line poll: Crest vs. Aquafresh.
This is just another attempt by the KNS to "pump up" Foolmore's image to the Philbilly Nation. The not so hidden message here is “Look at what a disciplinarian Phil Fulmer has become! All bow to his greatness!!”
Perhaps tomorrow's story should be "Five Drink Maximum Imposed on Vols Following Loss to Wizzconsin."
Keep up that pulizer prize worthy reporting KNS...
PS – I hope I’m wrong about tomorrow’s game… as the SEC has an excellent chance of going undefeated this bowl season… and Wizzconsin is just another classless little 10 program with delusions of grandeur.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
errrr, imnotwphil 4:25 am, its not "tomorrow's game". I would have said that if I'd had another Jaegermeister. That said, fluff pieces about the Vols abound. A real fluff piece would have interviewed fearless leader coming out of K Kreme with his stash.
Both teams should be able to run the ball. I expect Wisconsin to do so and we might if Foster will go North and South with little thought to running parallel as he is prone to do. But we will fling our dink and dunk and see what happens. Our lack of a d-line could prove disastrous. We'll know soon. Doldrums approach. Have a great New Year.
T0MMYJACK writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TommyJack writes:
Poser alert. see above
dfreeman writes:
(the real)Tommyjack - Wow, doesn't it give you that warm and fuzzy feeling when there is someone out there that wants to be just like you??
dfreeman writes:
It's football time in.... Tennessee!!! come on boys don't make us look bad!!! Let's beat those badgers!!
TommyJack writes:
Dfreeman: It's a burden I've long had to endure. :)
dfreeman writes:
I feel your pain!! LOL
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