The Wisconsin Badgers once again find themselves in a bowl game on New Year’s Day, as they try to buck their recent trend of losing to start the New Year in the 2015 Outback Bowl. Wisconsin hasn’t won on New Year’s Day since 2007, and will come into their festive bout with the Auburn Tigers also trying to eradicate the memory of a crushing loss to Ohio State in the Big 10 title game. The Tigers seek redemption of their own, as well, as they’ll try to get their ninth win of the year after dropping three of their last four.
Outback Bowl tickets come in at a cool $140.73 ($84 to get in) for fans that want to see Wisconsin and Auburn wage war. Raymond James Stadium hotels have rates beginning at just $81, according to Hipmunk.com. Fans looking for a little extra sun can find hotels in St. Pete beach for as little as $71, and you’ll still be very close to the stadium as just a quick trip across the bridge will get you into Tampa.
Both teams have had success running the ball in 2014, but only one (Wisconsin) has had much success stopping it. The 10-3 Badgers boast a much more stable defense on paper, and tentatively could have Auburn’s offense under wraps early on. Of course, stopping the Tigers through the air is another task entirely and if Wisconsin can’t make it happen, this game could get blown wide open. That’s where the value lies for fans of both teams, as this matchup at first glance could really end up going either way.
The Wisconsin Badgers started off 2014 with a tough loss to LSU in the opener before rattling off 10 wins in their next 11 contests. Badgers tickets were a hot item before a second loss to Northwestern derailed them from the conversation for the college football playoff, while an embarrassing 59-0 loss to the Buckeyes on December 6th cost them the Big 10 title. To top it off, Wisconsin lost their head coach and will head into this huge bowl game already starting over and looking to next year. Regardless, they’ve had a mostly successful season backed by star running back Melvin Gordon and can cap it with a huge win over Auburn.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
