By JON WILSON, Consulting Editor, TB Reporter

Northwestern and Tennessee kick it off at 12 noon.

TAMPA — The Northwestern Wildcats of the Big 10 Conference and the Tennessee Volunteers of the Southeastern Conference clash in the 30th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium starting at noon Friday (Jan. 1). Tickets are $80 each. Children under 3 are free unless they take up a seat. The game will be televised by ESPN2.

Northwestern finished its regular season with a 10-2 record and ranked 13th in the national NCAA poll. Tennessee finished 8-4 and ranked 23rd. The teams, from two of the nation’s most powerful and popular conferences, have played each other just once previously — in the 1996 Citrus Bowl, which Tennessee won 48-28.

Preceding the game has been a week of activities. A beach day and a visit by players to a children’s hospital were among highlights. The week started with a feast that would have done the ancient Vikings proud. According to various media around Tampa Bay, players, coaches and others affiliated with the schools ate 1,500 pounds of beef and chicken,  900 pounds of ribs and 625  pounds of macaroni and cheese. There also were stacks of Bloomin’ Onions from Outback Steakhouse, which has been the bowl’s major sponsor for 20 years.

The teams will appear in a New Year’s Eve Parade in Ybor City.

For details about the Outback Bowl, the teams, parking and other information, visit www.outbackbowl.com/ .

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