Jon

I can't remember what it cost last year, but it was ridiculously expensive. Thankfully, those fans seemed to be segregated from the rest of the ticket office allotment, which was much louder.

even if wisconsin fans/grads are tired of playing in the outback every year and tired of playing tennessee, there are a lot more wisconsin fans than northwestern fans and wisconsin people travel better. The biggest thing Wisconsin has to worry about in terms of traveling is that the Outback might have the perception that they're not going to travel as well as they have in the past after going to Hawaii this Saturday and all the recent trips to Florida (last 5 years). In Northwestern's favor is all the work our AD put in with them last year during the process despite getting jumped by Iowa. We also travel quite well to bowl games, outdrawing Mizzou fans last year in the Alamo Bowl, which had a higher attendance than an Iowa vs. South Carolina matchup in last year's Outback Bowl by about 800. That definitely had to get the attention of the Outback Bowl committee. And when you factor in the large alumni base we have on the east coast, including Florida, and the fact we haven't been to Florida since the 1997 Citrus Bowl, I wouldn't be surprised at all if we would outdraw Wisconsin fans there this year.

Both ESPN projection analysts have NU in the Outback with Champs to Wisconsin. Wonder what's behind that unless they're just assuming the refs are going to screw another Big Ten team in Hawaii. One also has Ole Miss to the Outback, as well. http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls/projections?season=2009&week=13 Of course, one of them had NU to the Alamo yesterday, which wasn't possible. Most everyone else has Tennessee in the Outback with Wisconsin.

I don't know how well Ole Miss travels. Traditionally the SEC East team goes to the Outback, so that's why I'm assuming it for UT. There's one report speculating that a swap might be possible. Interesting. I hadn't heard about that. Where does it appear Northwestern will go? I'm thinking now that if Wisconsin defeats Hawai'i next weekend, it's probably 90% Outback for Wisconsin and Champs for Northwestern. If Wisconsin falls, there's a 50% chance Northwestern goes to the Outback and Wisconsin heads back to Orlando. Wisconsin is still the likeliest to go to Tampa, though I'm not sure if a rematch of the Outback from 2 years ago is a good thing or a bad thing in the eyes of their committee.

I don't know how well Ole Miss travels. Traditionally the SEC East team goes to the Outback, so that's why I'm assuming it for UT. There's one report speculating that a swap might be possible.

Does Ole Miss travel well enough to warrant a deal between the Cotton Bowl and the Outback to swap SEC representatives?

Me too. I also love having the best college hoops team in the state *ducks* If Mirkovic can remember how to play, they might just have a chance.

I love the UIC Pavilion.

NC State's coach taking an "eff it, I want to win it now" approach in FG territory. Don't see that call everyday. Moot point with an INT on the next play.

Might just be one of my favorite "just like football" chants yet.

HD-quality tractor races and giant closeups of Aaron Miles would at least distract from the product on the field.

I'm not sure what a couple more million eyeballs are going to do for Northwestern. And for travel, why wouldn't you just go down new years eve day and leave after the game? If you can't stay long, the night game isn't any better for getting in and out. Plus, there is nothing to enjoy in Orlando, it sucks. I think it's pretty significant for Northwestern. If it was Wisconsin or Michigan State, then things would be different. But I think the ratings really do matter. Since I won't be renting a car, I wouldn't have anywhere to put my bag after checking out if I left new years day when I'd go to the game.

What is it about an early game that makes you think it's worse for travelling? I'd take the Outback bowl without question. I much prefer Tampa to Orlando, I'd rather go down there, enjoy new years with the added anticipation of a big game the next morning, plus leaving you the rest of the day after it ends to do as you please. Day football is more enjoyable than night games. As a TV viewer I love waking up and turning on that first game early sitting on the couch. You're on the east coast, though. The game starts at 11 AM eastern, meaning 8 AM on the west coast. And 2 hours later, the Capital One bowl begins. That's the big reason why the Outback drew 4 million viewers last year and the Alamo drew 6 million. Northwestern needs the continued national exposure, so an only game of the night would be advantageous. It would also be nice to have a televised night game. We've played 1 night game all year and that was only on ESPN360 (@ Syracuse). There were a pair of mid-afternoon starts in Evanston, but aside from that, they've all been 11 AM central games. It would personally be better for traveling since I can't stay that long. I'd go in the evening before, enjoy Orlando the day of the game, and leave the following morning. For those making a full vacation out of it, it makes no difference. But if you're really just going in for the game, it's easier to deal with hotels this way.

Iowa fans: What was the experience like last year with the Outback? The Outback certainly has an advantage over the Alamo because it's Florida vs. San Antonio (though a great city if you're only going to spend 1 day exploring), but when it comes down to a possible Outback vs. Champs, I don't see any advantage that the Outback possesses. Yes, it's a January bowl game, but there are now 14 January bowl games and it's played early in the morning, which also makes it a little worse for travel. Champs, on the other hand, has a Tuesday night in primetime all to itself. Last year's Monday night Alamo Bowl drew 50% more viewers than the Outback. From everything I've seen, I'd much prefer Champs to the Outback. Of course, I don't think we're going to jump Wisconsin anyways.

They probably won't, but they should. Forfeit 3 weeks of valuable practice time just to "save face"?

I don't see two Big East teams making it. They don't sell tickets to their own games like the others, don't travel like the others and Cincy was part of the lowest rated BCS game ever last year. I don't think Pitt has any chance at an at-large. If they beat Cincy, I don't see the Bearcats jumping Iowa/PSU or even Okie State. It may not be that likely, but if you're a Penn State fan (or of Iowa or any other bowl-bound Big Ten team), you don't want it to come down to that decision.

A Pitt win increases the chances of two Big East teams, which threatens the likelihood of Penn State getting a BCS bid.

Most likely not. If the Big Ten gets 2 BCS teams and Wisconsin loses to Hawai'i, there's maybe a 33% chance of it happening. Wisconsin would be hurt by losing their last 2 and having fans already spent money on a trip to Hawai'i. If the Big Ten only gets 1 BCS team, regardless of what happens with Wisconsin vs. Hawai'i, I'd be shocked if Northwestern didn't get an invite to play in the Champs Sports Bowl with Wisconsin going to San Antonio. Northwestern has only played in 1 Florida bowl (1996 season) while Wisconsin seems to live in Florida, having just played in the Champs last year.

I've always wanted to go to Florida.

The patch is rather unique. I like it, especially its ability to capture the doughy physique of midwesterners.

I really don't care about Ryan that much, but that really REALLY sucks about Nash. Ryan is a senior who knows the offense and can help it move, though. And he brings plenty of defense to the table, not to mention another body. When this team gets in foul trouble now, we're going to be screwed.

Because losing 2 of our 3 scholarship seniors for the season last week just wasn't enough:

Go Penn State and Iowa.

The rehab wouldn't have been a sure thing and he was okay with redshirting even before seeing another specialist tomorrow. It's a potentially serious injury and he made the right choice, but it means 4 months before he can even begin rehabbing. And we lost our 2nd senior in 84 hours Friday night with a torn ACL. He's out for the year and will likely end his career that way. I don't think they can keep both scholarships for next year. The depth on the team is long gone.

That depends on how far you're willing to hoof it and whether you want to tailgate. Most of the lots around the stadium are set aside for football parking, so if you want to tailgate, you can go to the lots down along First Street south of the stadium and in the research park. You'll have to pay to park at those places, though. If you just want to go to the game, university parking is free on Saturdays, although most of that parking is a decent walk away from the stadium. This parking includes a long row of free meters between Windsor and Kirby on Lincoln along with a number of the lots on campus. In the end I decided just to play it safe and park in one of the SW lots closer to I-72. Should've listened to you. I didn't expect $20 for parking. Illinois must make a killing. Purdue only charges $10. I-57 is probably my least favorite drive ever, too, though there seem to be fewer trucks on I-57 than I-65.