For those of you intent on ending the year with a glorious bender that runs from Friday through the First of the Year, let us recommend attending the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day at Raymond James Stadium. Kick-off is 11 a.m.; we suggest that you party straight through New Year's Eve to the tailgating revelry that takes over the stadium parking lot starting around sunrise. The game itself? The No. 16 ranked SEC Division East Champion Tennessee Volunteers versus the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers. It's the first time the two schools have battled on the gridiron since 1981. For those unwilling to fight the crowds and craziness, the game is televised on ESPN. Tues., Jan. 1, 11 a.m., Raymond James Stadium, $65, 813-287-8844, ticketmaster.com or outbackbowl.com.
This article appears in Dec 26, 2007 – Jan 1, 2008.