Colleges

Vols book return trip

By JOE SMITH, Times Staff Writer
Published December 3, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [AP photo] Vols quarterback Erik Ainge, handing off to Arian Foster, operates behind an offensive line that rarely allows a sack.

Asked for his bowl preference after Tennessee's loss to LSU in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday night, Volunteers coach Phil Fulmer drew some laughs with his matter-of-fact retort.

"Yeah, we'd like the Rose Bowl - how's that?"

The Vols, winners of eight of their last nine before losing a fourth-quarter lead to the Tigers, had gone from Sugar Bowl sweet to a potentially sour send-off.

But after No. 16 Tennessee accepted an invitation Sunday to play in the Outback Bowl for the second straight year - it faces No. 18 Wisconsin on New Year's Day at Raymond James Stadium - Fulmer quickly denied that another trip to Tampa would be a hard sell to his players.

"I think we had a great time last year," Fulmer said during a conference call. "We can make it a kickoff to next year and get a chance to win 10 ball games and send our seniors out in fine fashion."

The Vols were upset 20-10 by Penn State last year,and have won just two of their past seven bowl games.

Tennessee, led by quarterback Erik Ainge and a stout offensive line gave up a nation-low four sacks, will have a tough task against Wisconsin; the Badgers (9-3) have beaten SEC teams (Arkansas, Auburn) in their past two bowl games - both the Capital One in Orlando. Wisconsin last played in the Outback in 2005 (a 24-21 loss to Georgia).

While some bowl officials shy away from inviting a team in consecutive years, Outback Bowl president/CEO Jim McVay said the Vols' talent - and traveling fans (15,000-plus last year) - made them a "clear" choice for the bid (and a $3.1-million payout).

"This is one heck of a football team," McVay said. "(The Vols) were one play away from being SEC champions against a real good LSU team. Tennessee has a fine offensive line, they're big, they're strong; they're gonna match up well with Wisconsin.

"To have two top ... teams with nine wins, that's good stuff for the Outback."

Outback Bowl

Who: Wisconsin vs. Tennessee

When/where: 11 a.m. Jan. 1, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

TV: ESPN

Tickets: $65 each available at Ticketmaster outlets around Florida; call (813) 287-8844 or go online at ticketmaster.com

[Last modified December 2, 2007, 23:40:12]