TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

What Do You Know About Wisconsin, Tennessee?

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 1, 2008

TAMPA - Whatever the question regarding today's Outback Bowl game between the Big Ten's Wisconsin Badgers and the Southeastern Conference's Tennessee Volunteers, all you have to do is ask.

The 9-4 and 16th-ranked Volunteers will answer by saying the 9-3 and No. 8 Badgers are polished, talented and worthy.

''Tough team,'' UT senior defensive end Xavier Mitchell answers. ''They do a great job with a lot of things.''

And the Badgers reply smartly with praise for all things Tennessee orange.

''They are a team that plays well together,'' Badgers senior quarterback Tyler Donovan says. ''Watch film of them and you know they are a team that schemes well and plays to their strengths.''

Now that it has been determined today's 11 a.m. kickoff at Raymond James Stadium is an evenly matched, pride-on-the-line battle between two of college football's most respected conferences, what about some of the things they do not know.

Like the city their opponent's campus is located?

''I have no idea,'' Tennessee senior free safety Jonathan Hefney said.

Just a little to the southeast is ''Oh, man. Don't ask me that,'' preferred by Mitchell. Although with a little help — ''Give me a minute. … and a hint. The first letter and I'll get it.'' — Vols tight end Brad Cottam nailed the Badgers' home as Madison.

Meanwhile, the Badgers know that Tennessee senior quarterback Erik Ainge completed 300 passes for 3,157 yards and was sacked only four times all year, but they certainly will not get to him by looking for UT's Knoxville campus.

''They're in Talla … No, that's not right,'' Donovan said. ''I don't know.''

Punter Ken DeBauche had a quick answer — and actually a pretty good one, albeit incorrect.

''It's Rocky Top, Tenn., isn't it?''

The Badgers are familiar with the SEC's image of speed. The Volunteers know all about Big Ten muscle and size.

Nevertheless, they know each other only by reputation. The two programs have met only once in history — the 1981 Garden State Bowl.

So don't ask them to name their opposing team's fight song – despite ''On, Wisconsin!'' and ''Rocky Top'' being among the most distinctive in all of college football.

Badgers sophomore free safety Shane Carter scrunched his face in thought. ''Something to do with Rocky Mountains … 'On top of Ol' Rocky Mountain?'''

Tennessee's junior running back Arian Foster tried logic: '''Go Badgers, Go.' I don't know.''

The two opponents are aware their seasons went much the same. Wisconsin started by winning its first five games, then dropped two straight before winning four of five to finish. Tennessee was 4-3 and then won five straight to finish the regular-season before falling to LSU in the SEC Championship Game. Each knows the other's bowl success. Wisconsin is playing its 13th bowl game in 15 years with a 9-3 postseason record. Tennessee is making its 46th bowl appearance, equaling Texas for the second most in NCAA history.

But neither team is quite sure what it would do if visiting in its opponent's home state.

''I'd wear lots of clothes,'' UT's Cottam said. ''I always think of it as freezing up there.''

The Badgers' DeBauche would dress properly too if visiting Tennessee. ''I'd go see a country music concert.''

If you are looking for the most famous person connected on the respective states, the Volunteers were quick with Brett Favre. The Badgers were divided, showing equal respect for Peyton Manning and Elvis — thank you, thank you very much.

Stereotyping the states wasn't hard either. ''If you are from Wisconsin,'' the Volunteers agreed, ''you are into cheese.''

''Or maybe ice fishing,'' Cottam said.

And if you are a Tennessean, the Badgers know ''country music'' is your thing.

Just don't go calling team mascots by name. Bucky the Badger and Smokey IX, the Vols' blue tick coon hound, aren't going to like it.

''I know they're the Badgers,'' said UT's Foster. ''So is he Blake the Badger?''

Tennessee defensive tackle Nick Hayden made an equally admirable, but wrong, effort.

''The floppy-eared dog,'' he said. ''I don't know his name though.''

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534 or melliott@tampatrib.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT