Attendance expected to soar

Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, left, and Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville chuckle in response to a question during Tuesday afternoon's coaches luncheon at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Photo by Kathi Dement.

"A balmy forecast (a forecast high near 60), a new date and a couple of football teams that travel well should push attendance into the 50-55,000 range today, according to Music City Bowl executive director Scott Ramsey.

If those numbers hold true, it would be the second-highest attendance for the bowl in its six-year history. Syracuse-Kentucky brought in 59,221 in 1999, the first year of Coliseum residence for the game. Last year, 39,183 turned out for Minnesota