Outback Bowl
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The Outback Bowl has been played annually since 1986. Formerly known as the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986-1994, the Outback Bowl is played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Sponsored by Outback Steakhouse, the game is played on New Year’s Day. Since 1996, the game has featured programs from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences. The Outback Bowl has a minimum payout of $3 million to each school.
Prior to 1999, the game was played at the old Tampa Stadium. Over the years, the Outback Bowl has pitted schools with rich traditions against one another. On January 1, 1997, the Michigan Wolverines took on the Alabama Crimson Tide. The game turned out to be a defensive struggle, with Alabama pulling out a 17-14 victory. Alabama linebacker Dwayne Rudd was named game MVP. The same two schools met in the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl with Michigan securing a 28-24 victory.
In somewhat of a strange occurrence, the South Carolina Gamecocks and Ohio State Buckeyes met two years in a row in 2001 and 2002. South Carolina won both meetings.
The 2003 matchup featured the Florida Gators against the Michigan Wolverines. The game was a high scoring affair that Michigan won 38-30. Wolverines running back Chris Perry was named the game MVP.
Former Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler was named the MVP of the 1993 contest. Shuler finished second in the Heisman voting that year. After a disappointing pro career, Shuler turned to politics. He was recently elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat from the state of North Carolina.
Last year’s game involved the Penn State Nittany Lions versus the Tennessee Volunteers. The game was televised on ESPN with Penn State pulling off a 20-10 victory. The victory gave Penn State their third Outback Bowl win. Along with the Nittany Lions, Michigan and Georgia have won the game three times.
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