Jan. 1, 2008 Tampa, Fla. - Raymond James Stadium - ESPN - 11 a.m. EST
Tennessee and Wisconsin are renewing football ties for the first time in 26 years when the 2008 Outback Bowl kicks off New Year’s Day in Tampa, Fla.
“We’re thrilled to have the Volunteers (winners of the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division and owners of a 9-4 record this season) back in our Outback Bowl,” said Jim McVay, Outback Bowl President/CEO. “We think we have a classic matchup with a Wisconsin Badgers team at 9-3 (that finished fourth in the Big Ten Conference this season)."
“We’re excited to be playing an outstanding football team like Wisconsin,” said Tennessee (Head Coach Philip) Fulmer, who now in his 16th season owns a 146-45 overall record. “We’re excited about going back to Tampa."
“We are excited about the opportunity to play Tennessee,” (Wisconsin Head Coach Bret) Bielema said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us but it should be a classic Big Ten-SEC matchup."
Tennessee was the only SEC team to finish undefeated at home this season, going 7-0, but the Badgers matched that record at Camp Randall Stadium when they defeated Michigan 37-21 on Nov. 10.
Tennessee and Wisconsin have met just once previously on the gridiron, and that matchup was also of the bowl variety. The Volunteers defeated the Badgers 28-21 in the Garden State Bowl in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 13, 1981.
Tennessee landed three players on the 2007 Coaches All-SEC first team. Left guard Anthony Parker made the first-team offensive line, while middle linebacker Jerod Mayo was among the top linebackers named and free safety Jonathan Hefney was a member of the first-team secondary unit.
Four Wisconsin football players earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. TE Travis Beckum and DB Jack Ikeqwuono were both consensus first-team selections, while C Marcus Coleman was a first-team choice of the media and kicker Taylor Mehlhaff was a first-team selection by the league’s coaches.
Wisconsin is bolstered by good news.
Beckum said Thursday that he has decided to return to the Badgers for his senior season.
“Playing at Wisconsin in front of the greatest fans in college football is something I want to continue doing for one more year,” said Beckum, a junior and finalist for the 2007 John Mackey Award. “I looked into my options and found the best one is right here with this university. I’m enjoying being a Badger and can’t wait for our bowl game in Tampa, as well as for next season. I’m glad this decision is behind me and I’m looking forward to another year at Camp Randall.”
Meanwhile, Tennessee is suffering from coaches leaving the program.
Offensive Coordinator David Cutcliffe has been named Duke’s next head football coach. The whirlwind courtship began with a Tuesday phone call, a Wednesday interview on the Durham, N.C., campus and two days of negotiations and decision-making, Cutcliffe said he expects only minimal distractions leading up to the Vols’ Jan. 1 Outback Bowl date with Wisconsin.
Assistant head coach for player development and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor has accepted the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach position at Oklahoma State University. Taylor is also expected to coach at Tennessee through the Outback Bowl.
Does Wisconsin have the mo? Is it bad karma for Tennessee? Does it matter when a football game kicks off at 11:00 a.m. Eastern? Are any football players actually awake that early in the morning? Oh well, wake up on the 1st, grab a Big Orange juice, add Vodka if necessary (you Badgers may want a Bloody Mary instead) and set up camp for an entire day of New Year's Day College Football bowl games.
With his buyout from the Philadelphia 76ers on the verge of completion, Chris Webber has established a Fab Five wish list of high-profile teams he'd like to play for. Webber's wish list reads as follows.
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers
Miami Heat
San Antonio Spurs
Webber told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that 17 of the league's 30 teams have already called to register interest in his services, but the free agent-to-be hopes to sign with one of the teams on his wishlist. His hometown is Detroit, thus there is more than one reason to consider the Pistons. He can play for his hometown and play for a ring. "This is the best I've felt in three years," Webber said in a phone interview. "Now the thing I want to do most is win a championship, put myself back on that kind of level."
Webber didn't divulge any order or preferences when listing those teams but did acknowledge that the Mavericks, believed to be offering less playing time than anyone in the group, was the least likely destination.
Early indications in San Antonio, meanwhile, suggest that the Spurs -- whose desire to get younger and more athletic and the swing positions is well-chronicled -- may be unlikely to pursue Webber. When asked before Thursday night's game by Bill Walton if the Spurs were interested in Webber, Spurs Coach Greg Popovich seemed cool to the idea. But, was that sincere or a poker face? This writer believes the Spurs might want Webber and may be willing to send Brent Barry packing to get him. Yes, Barrys a guard and Webbers a forward, but what the Spus need more than anything, if they are to get back up to the level that the Mavs and Phoenix Suns are at is points off of the bench that Webber may be able to deliver better than Barry.
Each of the other three teams on Webber's list appear to have an interest.
Miami has major depth issues even when Shaquille O'Neal and Dwayne Wade are healthy and pursued Webber's former Michigan teammate Jalen Rose when he was bought out by the New York (what the heck are) Knickerbockers in November. The Heat, possessing their full mid-level salary-cap exception worth in excess of $5 million, also have the ability to outbid any of the aforementioned suitors, although Miami will stray into luxury-tax territory if it spends, say, $2 million to bring Webber in for the rest of the season. But can Miami win another championship?
The Pistons, sources said, immediately thrust themselves into the running, intrigued by the idea of adding the local legend as they continue to revamp their front line in the wake of Ben Wallace free-agent defection to the Chicago Bulls.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Chris Webber complains about a call during the second half of their basketball game against the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Fla., in this Dec. 9, 2006 file photo. The 76ers completed the paperwork to buy out the remaining 1 1/2 seasons on Webber's contract Wednesday, Jan 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/photo?photo Id=1401288&team=phi
Webber's experience, size and game are also bound to appeal to the young Lakers, who recently lost two frontcourt starters to injury (Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown) and run an offense (coach Phil Jackson's triangle) that could make the most of Webber's passing skills. However, many question Webber's willingness to learn the triangle and if Phil will take a chance on that or want to add Webber's ego to a roster that already includes the strongheaded Kobe Bryant.
"My father said I haven't smiled on the court in about three years," Webber said. "I just want to get back to playing with a smile on my face and playing with a team that can really vie for a title. I want to be an integral part of a championship team." The 33-year-old added that he hopes to have his new address "by Monday, even though three or four teams want me by Friday."
A new deal can't happen that quickly because Webber must wait two business days to clear waivers once his buyout from the Sixers is made official. Webber said he expects paperwork on the buyout to be completed by Thursday morning at the latest.
Webber finished last season with solid averages of 20.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 75 games, the most games he'd played in the last six seasons. He said in training camp he was feeling as strong physically as he had since undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee in June 2003. But Webber appeared to fall out of favor with 76ers Head Coach Maurice Cheeks early this season, and was benched in several fourth quarters with little explanation. His minutes and production dramatically declined, and Webber eventually met with 76ers President Billy King to express his unhappiness over his situation.
Webber made it clear several times this season he wanted to end his career with a contender. With Allen Iverson traded to Denver last month, that's two all-stars off the roster in a matter of weeks. The Sixers have three first-round picks in the draft and are rebuilding through youth.
"I think he's been a total pro, done everything we've asked of him," King said. "This allows us to go in a different direction. Now I think there's clarity for the organization."
Webber reportedly agreed to a $5 million reduction in his contract, which pays him $20.7 million this season and $22.3 million next season. The buyout allowed the 76ers to drop below the league's luxury tax threshold of $65.4 million.
"I wish the 76ers organization the best and I thank the fans for their support during my time in Philadelphia," Webber said in a statement. "I appreciate Team Owner Ed Snider and Billy King for their cooperation with the buyout of my contract. I believe this is the best situation for both parties and I look forward to continuing my basketball career."
"He was a great teammate," Kyle Korver said after the Knicks beat the Sixers 106-99 on Wednesday night. "I'm going to miss him a lot. I wish I could have played with him more. He's a great person and if he gets put in the right spot he's going to do really well somewhere."
" I don't like to look back because I don't want the past to catch up with me," said John Chavis, Defensive Coordinator for the Tennessee Volunteers. He admits that Tennessee struggled this year on the defensive line and with defensive backs. "After 2005 we lost a lot of seniors and this year we had a lot of injuries leaving us not as deep as we normally are on defense" "But we are getting better." Chavis is also getting ready for next year as the Volunteers practice in preparation for Monday's Outback Bowl in Tampa Florida.
Marvin Mitchell says the Vols are concentrating on stopping Penn State's big running back. While being careful to avoid the fast side to side running of the SEC and straight ahead running style of the Big 10 stereotypes, some of this will be visible on Monday. Penn State will run straight at the Vols.
Howevever, Phil Fulmer is also warning his team that Penn State has some very fast receivers that defensive backs for Tennessee will have to cover well and that will require that the defensive line get some pressure on the Penn State quarterback.
Tennessee is three and "o" in its last three games against Big 10 opposition with consecutive bowl wins over Ohio State, Northwestern and Michigan. The Vols and the Volunteer faithful are looking for number four on New Year's Day.
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