WISCONSIN BADGERS INVITED TO OUTBACK BOWL

Tampa, FL – The University of Wisconsin accepted an invitation today to play in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day in Tampa, Florida. The Badgers come into the Outback Bowl with an 9-3 record and No. 18 in the BCS rankings, winning four of their last five games. They will play an SEC team to be determined on December 2nd.

“We are thrilled to have the Badgers as our Big Ten representative in the 2008 Outback Bowl,” stated Jim McVay, Outback Bowl President /CEO. “Wisconsin is a terrific team with outstanding players, coaches and some of the most enthusiastic fans in the sport. We feel they will be an excellent team to face off against a highly ranked SEC opponent.”

"We're absolutely thrilled to be returning to Tampa for the Outback Bowl," UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said. "It has been a tremendous destination for us the previous three times we have been there. Our players and fans have always enjoyed the Tampa area and everything the bowl brings to the table."

"Our entire team is excited to be returning to Florida for our fourth straight January bowl game," added Coach Bret Bielema said. "We've always heard terrific feedback from our fans who have followed us to Tampa in the past and I know we'll have a big sea of red down there again. We're looking forward to the warm weather, hospitality and a great game on New Year's Day."

The Outback Bowl is celebrating its 22nd year and will kickoff at 11 A.M. (ET) on January 1st in Raymond James Stadium. The game is telecast internationally on ESPN TV. Tickets to the Outback Bowl are $65 each and are available at Ticketmaster outlets throughout Florida, via phone at (813) 287-8844 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Tickets will also be available through the Wisconsin ticket office by calling 1-800-GOBADGERS or via the UW Department of Athletics' official Web site, UWBADGERS.COM. Information on the Outback Bowl game, bowl events, area hotels and the Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater area can be found on the bowl's web site at www.outbackbowl.com.

See Wisconsin Notes .