Outback Bowl: Tennessee vs. Wisconsin

Teams: Tennessee vs. Wisconsin
Date: Jan. 1, 2008 at 11 a.m. Eastern
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

Analysis:
The Volunteers started the year with a 1-2 record, including nationally televised blowout losses at Cal (45-31) and at Florida (59-20). Following another brutal loss at Alabama (41-17), coach Phil Fulmer appeared to be on the hot seat until reeling off five straight wins to earn the SEC East title and a trip to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

UT was unable to upset LSU for an automatic BCS bid, losing 21-14 primarily due to a costly interception by senior Erik Ainge, which was returned for the go-ahead touchdown. But after a respectable showing against the Bayou Bengals, the Vols proved this year’s team can play with anyone.

The Badgers entered the season expecting to compete for a Big Ten title. Things were looking good for coach Bret Bielema’s team after a 5-0 start. Back-to-back losses on the road at Illinois (31-26) and Penn State (38-7) ended the conference title talk in Madison.

Running back P.J. Hill was injured off-and-on all season but managed to rush for 1,080 yards and 14 touchdowns. His backup, freshman Zach Brown, was also impressive with 539 yards and five scores in his absence.

This is a great match-up between two proud football programs who take pride in playing physical football with a strong running game and stout defense. This is likely to be a close game decided by a big play or late field goal.

Breakdown: Tennessee
Campus Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Distance to Tampa: 670 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 24-22
2007 Season: 9-4, 6-2 SEC

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 70 (145)
Pass Offense: 40 (255)
Scoring Offense: 30 (33)
Rush Defense: 68 (163)
Pass Defense: 69 (127)
Scoring Defense: 66 (28)
Turnover Margin: 29 (0.46)

Additional Notes:
The Volunteers have lost five of their last seven bowl games, including a 20-10 defeat to Penn State in last year’s Outback Bowl.

Breakdown: Wisconsin
Campus Location: Madison, Wis.
Distance to Tampa: 1,325 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 10-8
2007 Season: 9-3, 5-3 Big Ten

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 19 (202)
Pass Offense: 68 (212)
Scoring Offense: 45 (31)
Rush Defense: 49 (140)
Pass Defense: 46 (120)
Scoring Defense: 35 (23)
Turnover Margin: 63 (-0.08)

Additional Notes:
Badgers coach Bret Bielema has a 20-4 record — including a 17-14 victory over Arkansas in last year’s Capital One Bowl — since taking over for legendary UW coach Barry Alvarez prior to last season.

Prediction: Tennessee by 1

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