Billing itself as one of the biggest non-BCS bowls, the Capital One Bowl will play host to one SEC squad and one Big Ten team to kick off the new year. It’s not hard to see why -- after BCS selections, the Capital One Bowl gets first pick in both conferences, meaning it often offers a desirable matchup, and offers the highest payout of a non-BCS bowl, as well.
2014 Capital One Bowl, South Carolina vs. Wisconsin: TV time, team profiles and more
Jadeveon Clowney vs. one of the country’s best rushing attacks? Yes please. The State reports the matchup.
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The Capital One Bowl is also where the winner of the Capital One Mascot Challenge is officially announced -- previous winners include Cy the Cardinal (Iowa State), Wolfie Jr. (Nevada) and Herbie Husker (Nebraska).
No word yet on if Alec Baldwin plans to make an appearance. Or any of the Baldwin brothers, really.
Date and time, ET: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, 1 p.m. ET
TV channel: ABC
Location: Orlando, Fla.
Stadium: Citrus Bowl (70,229)
Tickets: Find available seats here.
Last year’s score: Georgia 45, Nebraska 31
Last year’s attendance: 59,712
Last year’s TV rating: 6.6 (11 million viewers)
Last year’s payout for each school: $4.55 million dollars per school
Team with the most all-time appearances: Georgia, with six
Team with the most all-time wins: Georgia and Tennessee, both tied with four
South Carolina (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
For the first time in Steve Spurrier’s tenure at South Carolina, the offense is the surest thing the Gamecocks have to offer. Excluding the head-scratching loss to Tennessee in mid-October, Connor Shaw has led an efficient offense that is a threat to both run and pass, thanks to steady, if unspectacular, line play and a deep stable of weapons at the offensive skill positions.
Defensively, the headliner is obviously Jadeveon Clowney who, despite battling nagging injuries and lackluster statistical production, has been quite good in his farewell tour with the Gamecocks. South Carolina’s young back seven was vulnerable early in the season, but the Gamecocks’ defensive backfield rounded into form during the final month of the season, thanks to the maturation of the likes of true freshman linebacker and leading tackler Skai Moore.
Last bowl game: 2013 Outback Bowl vs. Michigan, 33-28 win
Last year without a bowl: 2007
All-time bowl record: 6-12
Head coach’s bowl record: Steve Spurrier, 9-10
Wisconsin (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten)
Despite going through a coaching change, it was pretty much business as usual for Wisconsin in 2013. The Badgers once again ran all over opponents thanks to the efforts of James White and Melvin Gordon, who represent perhaps the best running back duo in the country. The pair combined for 2,803 rushing yards.
The team has also been solid defensively, limiting five conference foes to 10 points or fewer. The Badgers allowed 30 points or more on just four occasions, and no team put up more than 32 on them.
Wisconsin is bowl-bound for the 12th consecutive year, and while it won’t be making a fourth consecutive Rose Bowl appearance, it does have a chance to reach the 10-win mark for the fourth time in the last five years.
Last bowl game: 2013 Rose Bowl vs. Stanford, 20-14 loss
Last year without a bowl: 2001
All-time bowl record: 11-13
Head coach’s bowl record: Gary Andersen, 1-1
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