“We are very excited to extend an invitation to the University of Michigan and the University of South Carolina to play in this year’s Outback Bowl,” said Outback Bowl Chairman Todd Buchanan. “These are two exciting teams and a quality match-up that fans are really going to enjoy watching on New Year’s Day. We look forward to hosting the Wolverine and Gamecock teams and their fans, and ensure them they will have an amazing and memorable experience in the Tampa Bay area.”

“Michigan proudly accepts the invitation to have our student-athletes, coaches and fans experience the Outback Bowl this holiday season,” said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics at Michigan. “On our previous five trips to Tampa, the Outback Bowl staff has provided a first-class, memorable experience for everyone associated with our program.”

“We are honored to represent our University and the Big Ten Conference in the tradition-laden Outback Bowl in Tampa,” said Jim Harbaugh, U-M’s J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. “Our players and staff are excited to face an excellent SEC opponent and look forward to the competition on New Year’s Day.”

I’d like to congratulate head coach Will Muschamp for his leadership of our football program,” said Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “It’s a compliment to him, his staff and the players for the tremendous strides we’ve made over the past two years, and their hard work has been rewarded with a New Year’s Day bowl. I’m also extremely excited for our fans to have an opportunity to watch this team play one more time in a great destination city like Tampa and against a storied program like the Michigan Wolverines. It should be a fun week culminating with a great game on January 1 in the Outback Bowl.”

“I’m excited to be heading to Tampa to play Michigan in the Outback Bowl,” said head coach Will Muschamp. “This is a great reward for our staff, our players, the University and our fans for all that we’ve accomplished. Our goal is to enjoy the bowl experience and to come home with nine wins for just the seventh time in school history.”

The Outback Bowl will be played on January 1st at 12:00 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at (813) 287-8844 or 1-800-745-3000 and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet in the state of Florida.

For information on Outback Bowl events leading up to the game go to the bowl web site at www.outbackbowl.com for details.