Official USC vs. Michigan in Outback Bowl Discussion Thread

[BlueHerons]

I'm so excited about this bowl game! It's my first bowl game as an alumni!

I've been a gamecock for over 25 years and did anyone EVER EVER think that we'd be in a bowl with Michigan and THEY would be the underdog?

Does anyone remember the Brad Scott and Sparky Woods days?

Anyway, we live in Sarasota just under an hour south of Tampa so let me say a few things.

Sarasota is south of the Florida frost line so we are generally about six degrees warmer than Tampa in the winter. If you want beach weather, head to St.Petersburg, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Lido Key, or Siesta Key. All under an hour from the stadium.

St. Armands Circle (Lido Key but good accessibility from Longboat), downtown Sarasota (Burns Court, Towles Court), Southside Village, and the Village on Siesta Key are all really great shopping, dining, attraction areas. Downtown St. Pete is also really cool.

Down here, 70 degrees is a good beach day. I'm from Myrtle Beach and on our beaches, you'd freeze to death at 70. Down here 70 degrees is really warm bathing suit beach weather.

Does anyone know the deal at the stadium with tailgating? Do you pay to park?

You can fly into Tampa, Clearwater/St.Pete, or Sarasota

As far as Tampa goes, Ybor City can be fun but be leary of crime and the scientologists.

Sorry for the rant!

[uscgamecocks88]

What would be the best airport to fly in to since you said there are more than just Tampa International? I'm thinking about coming but not sure weather to fly or drive. If I do fly it will probably be round trip from Charlotte NC. And with driving... Google says go 95 to Jax, then 295 around Jax. After that, go to Florida 200/US 301. I also see where you could continue on I-10 then go to I-75 which leads to Tampa. What the best way? (As you can see, I don't get to go to FL often!)

Also, would you recommend staying closer to Raymond James or somewhere else? I have never been to Tampa, so i know almost nothing about the area!

[eatlighting]

I'm usually not too interested in the uni convo. I don't care what we wear as long as orange and purple aren't involved. However, I've seen on this thread that the white unis were twice mentioned. Am I to imply all white? Are we stormtrooping it in Tampa?

I would LOVE to see that again and get my fix before we shut this season down. I'll be happy either way, but that is our best away combo. I'd love to see those again. Sharp.

[MillerTime843]

42-17

[DiamondGamecock]

Originally Posted by MillerTime843

42-17

Is that your prediction? Because I think it is spot on, folks are giving Michigan more credit on defense than they deserve. And I mean, WAY more credit than they are deserving of.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by eatlighting

Are we stormtrooping it in Tampa?

I would LOVE to see that again and get my fix before we shut this season down. I'll be happy either way, but that is our best away combo. I'd love to see those again. Sharp.

Are we designated as the away team already? I know we are seated on the away side.

I'd say highly likely, if so, as Spurrier is the type to stick with what "works".

[DiamondGamecock]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Are we designated as the away team already? I know we are seated on the away side.

I'd say highly likely, if so, as Spurrier is the type to stick with what "works".

Yes, it was said during the signing of the contract the Michigan would be the home team.

[BlueHerons]

Originally Posted by uscgamecocks88

What would be the best airport to fly in to since you said there are more than just Tampa International? I'm thinking about coming but not sure weather to fly or drive. If I do fly it will probably be round trip from Charlotte NC. And with driving... Google says go 95 to Jax, then 295 around Jax. After that, go to Florida 200/US 301. I also see where you could continue on I-10 then go to I-75 which leads to Tampa. What the best way? (As you can see, I don't get to go to FL often!)

Also, would you recommend staying closer to Raymond James or somewhere else? I have never been to Tampa, so i know almost nothing about the area!

You can hop on 95, drive to Jax, cut across the state, and take 75 down to Tampa. Probably 8-9 hours for you. Flying and driving time to and from Charlotte would be a little less but not significant.

If you are just going for the game and don't want to see the sights, visit the beaches or amusement parks, absolutely stay in Tampa near the stadium. If you'd like to plan a mini vacation, let me know what you'd like to do or see and I would be happy to help you plan.

[U-Dub Gamecock]

Originally Posted by DiamondGamecock

Yes, it was said during the signing of the contract the Michigan would be the home team.

We need to rock the all-white unis again!

[uscgamecocks88]

Originally Posted by U-Dub Gamecock

We need to rock the all-white unis again!

This.

[uscsandstorm85]

Well. Michigan took an SEC beating in their first game this year. It's the last game of the year that sticks in your memory though!

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by BlueHerons

I'm so excited about this bowl game! It's my first bowl game as an alumni!

I've been a gamecock for over 25 years and did anyone EVER EVER think that we'd be in a bowl with Michigan and THEY would be the underdog?

Does anyone remember the Brad Scott and Sparky Woods days?

Anyway, we live in Sarasota just under an hour south of Tampa so let me say a few things.

Sarasota is south of the Florida frost line so we are generally about six degrees warmer than Tampa in the winter. If you want beach weather, head to St.Petersburg, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Lido Key, or Siesta Key. All under an hour from the stadium.

St. Armands Circle (Lido Key but good accessibility from Longboat), downtown Sarasota (Burns Court, Towles Court), Southside Village, and the Village on Siesta Key are all really great shopping, dining, attraction areas. Downtown St. Pete is also really cool.

Down here, 70 degrees is a good beach day. I'm from Myrtle Beach and on our beaches, you'd freeze to death at 70. Down here 70 degrees is really warm bathing suit beach weather.

Does anyone know the deal at the stadium with tailgating? Do you pay to park?

You can fly into Tampa, Clearwater/St.Pete, or Sarasota

As far as Tampa goes, Ybor City can be fun but be leary of crime and the scientologists.

Sorry for the rant!

Sparky's tenure was beset by highs and lows. He had the player revolt, but his teams had still grit. Even in the first year in the SEC, the Sparky teams fought hard. They did beat UT, and he pulled the trigger on playing a brash freshman QB named Taneyhill.

Brad Scott's tenure was characterized by a slide into total chaos. In the end, the Scott players were laughing and joking on the sideline as UT beat us by 50. Scott was known for how he met with the media after such losses, looking like a deer in the headlights. Then, when he was fired, he teared up and promised never to root against his players. A week later he stole all the Gamecock recruiting data and went to work for Bowdung at Clempson.

Brad Scott is not even in the same league as Sparky. He was far worse.

[HUGEGARNETCOCK]

Originally Posted by uscgamecocks88

What would be the best airport to fly in to since you said there are more than just Tampa International? I'm thinking about coming but not sure weather to fly or drive. If I do fly it will probably be round trip from Charlotte NC. And with driving... Google says go 95 to Jax, then 295 around Jax. After that, go to Florida 200/US 301. I also see where you could continue on I-10 then go to I-75 which leads to Tampa. What the best way? (As you can see, I don't get to go to FL often!)

Also, would you recommend staying closer to Raymond James or somewhere else? I have never been to Tampa, so i know almost nothing about the area!

Drive!

[Garnet Gamecock]

Originally Posted by uscgamecocks88

This.

They look great, to be sure!

[sc455]

black pants with a garnet stripe, white jerseys with black and garnet on the shoulders and garnet helmets..lets do this.

[Goofyboy]

Robinson is a top player, and a real threat. He's very fast, and more elusive than anybody we've faced this year. Hard hitting and playing assignments could well be a key for us. They have given up over twice our fumbles and over twice our interceptions, so hard-hitting, heads up ball might pay off well.

[ReadR00ster]

Little fast guys that go down as soon as the get hit never give us problems. The ones that do are the guys that are fast and don't go down easily.

[Mr.101]

black pants please

[50ktight]

I'd like to see what Dylan can do with confidence and time to practice as the starter.

Even if Connor has his cast off I think Dylan's play warrants the start.

[U-Dub Gamecock]

Originally Posted by BlueHerons

You can hop on 95, drive to Jax, cut across the state, and take 75 down to Tampa. Probably 8-9 hours for you. Flying and driving time to and from Charlotte would be a little less but not significant.

If you are just going for the game and don't want to see the sights, visit the beaches or amusement parks, absolutely stay in Tampa near the stadium. If you'd like to plan a mini vacation, let me know what you'd like to do or see and I would be happy to help you plan.

I-95, cross into Florida...take the Yulee exit(373) west.. Go about 12 miles, it turns into 301... Take that to Gainesville, take hwy24 thru Gainesville to I-75... Get on I -75 South towards Tampa...