Colleges

Wisconsin: Bring on SEC in Outback

By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
Published November 29, 2007

TAMPA - If Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema isn't exactly sold on the notion that his league, the Big Ten, is inferior to the Southeastern Conference, it's easy to understand why.

Against the SEC, the Badgers have fared darn well.

Last season, they beat Arkansas 17-14 in the Capital One Bowl. The previous year, they defeated Auburn 24-10 in the same game.

"I like the way our kids have handled the situation the last two bowl games," Bielema said. "Not many people gave us much of a chance."

On Wednesday, the Badgers, who in recent years have become one of the country's elite programs, accepted an invitation to play in the Outback Bowl. That means they once again will face an upper-echelon SEC team on New Year's Day - this time at Raymond James Stadium.

"I don't think you ever get tired of (playing an SEC team)," Bielema said.

Just which team Wisconsin will play remains a mystery.

Outback Bowl president/CEO Jim McVay said Wednesday there are six SEC teams in the mix. How things shape up depends greatly on the result of Saturday's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta between LSU and Tennessee, either of which could end up in Tampa.

"We know whoever we bring in from the Southeastern Conference, any one of those six teams, it's going to be a heck of a matchup," McVay said.

To Outback Bowl officials, Wisconsin is the perfect get.

The Badgers have a solid team and a strong following, the latter of which was evident when they played in the 2005 Outback Bowl against No. 7 Georgia. The Badgers lost that game 24-21 and are 1-2 in the bowl (they defeated No. 20 Duke 34-20 in 1995).

"Wisconsin has everything a bowl would want," McVay said. "Everything about Wisconsin says 'New Year's bowl game.' It's one of those special programs."

For the Badgers, the trip is a reward for another strong season. But it's also another chance for them to show the SEC the Big Ten still knows how to play a little football.

"I believe our guys are going to be excited no matter who (the other team is)," Bielema said. "To play a quality SEC team is something (they) relish."

[Last modified November 28, 2007, 21:15:52]