The 2012 college football season has been one of the most exciting in recent memory and as we head into the second half it appears it will only get better. From the opening weekend, each week has provided plenty of exciting games including numerous surprises and upsets. The great news for the Outback Bowl is that, as usual, both could be available for an Outback Bowl invitation depending leagues are deep with quality teams and with the third pick from on what happens in the remaining weeks. each conference, the Outback Bowl will get two fine teams for its New Year’s Day match-up in Tampa. SEC Tough as Ever With three teams ranked in the Top 8 spots, including Big Ten Battle Still Wide Open Alabama at No 1, the SEC once again is loaded with The Big Ten will host its second Conference great teams. A total of seven SEC teams are ranked Championship game this year, however it’s anyone’s in the Top 25 BCS Standings, more than any other guess as to who will play in it. While Wisconsin has conference. And don’t rule out the chance of an the inside track in the Leaders Division, at least four all-SEC National Championship game again. teams from the Legends Division still have a chance Either way there will be plenty of good teams to make it to Indianapolis. going to bowls, including no less than eight teams Meanwhile, no less than eight potential teams that will likely end with at least eight wins. In the meantime, we look forward to an exciting November as we continue to enjoy the journey! CONFERENCE STANDINGS (Through games of Oct. 20) Big Ten... SEC... Legends Conf. Overall Leaders Conf. Overall East Conf. Overall West Conf. Overall Michigan 3-0 5-2 *Ohio St 4-0 8-0 Florida 6-0 7-0 Alabama 4-0 7-0 Nebraska 2-1 5-2 *Penn St 3-0 5-2 Georgia 4-1 6-1 Mississippi St 3-0 7-0 Iowa 2-1 4-3 Wisconsin 3-1 6-2 South Carolina 4-2 6-2 LSU 3-1 7-1 Vanderbilt 2-3 3-4 Texas A&M 2-2 5-2 Northwestern 2-2 6-2 Purdue 0-3 3-4 Tennessee 0-4 3-4 Arkansas 2-2 3-4 *Not Michigan St 1-3 4-4 Indiana 0-3 2-5 Missouri 0-4 3-4 Mississippi 1-2 4-3 bowl Minnesota 0-3 4-3 Illinois 0-3 2-5 Kentucky 0-5 1-7 Auburn 0-5 1-6 eligible ABC/ ESPN college football analyst high profile speakers over the years such as Urban Meyer, Erin Andrews, Craig and former Ohio State and NFL line - James, Doug Flutie, Lou Holtz, Joe Theismann, Lee Corso and Chris Fowler. backer Chris Spielman was the guest Spielman currently teams with Sean McDonough on ABC Saturday afternoon speaker at the annual Outback Bowl telecasts. He was a two-time All American and Lombardi Trophy winner at Ohio Kickoff Luncheon October 3rd. About State University then was 700 bowl Sponsors and Club Members drafted in the second-round attended the popular Outback Bowl event in 1988 by the Detroit Lions held at A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa. where he led the team in Spielman shared his thoughts on not only tackles for eight straight years. football, but life, including his book, In 1996 he signed with the That’s Why I’m Here , in which Chris Buffalo Bills where he set a gives voice to his remarkable journey and team record with 206 tackles. cherished memories of his late wife and After requiring spinal surgery their battle against breast cancer. in 1997 he sat out the next The luncheon begins the ceremonial season to spend time with his send-off of the Outback Bowl selection wife who was diagnosed with committee representatives as they travel breast cancer. He retired from to Big Ten and SEC games as scouts/ football in 1999 after another ambassadors of the Bowl as they search neck injury. In 2009 he was for teams to participate in the upcoming inducted into the College game. The luncheon is known for having Football Hall of Fame. 1 New Sponsors Outback Bowl supporters started some bowling and billiards as well. the 2012 college football season and All in all, it was a fantastic way to the bowls fall event calendar in begin the season! The Huddle is the September at the annual Happy Hour first of six fall VIP events that Outback Huddle at Splitsville at the Channelside Bowl Club Members and Sponsors get Bay Plaza entertainment complex. to attend leading up to the big game. About 600 Bowl sponsors, Club For more information on booking New Club Members Members, local media and other VIP your own special event or holiday party (as of October 15, 2012) guests feasted on a wide array of food, at Splitsville contact Amy Azzarelli ACE Design National Orders from sushi, to sliders and quesadillas. at 813-514-9378 or go to & Construction Services Of course a number of guests mixed in www.splitsvillelanes.com. Northeast Underwriters Act Soft, Inc. One Source Medical Group B.A.S.I.C Engineering Pelican Aviation Bank United, NA PNC Wealth Management Bay Bayou RV Resort Prudential Annuities Cardinal Point Management, LLC Mr. Emerson King Mr. Kevin Cool Mr. Chris Roederer Doubletree Suites – Rocky Point Shephard’s Resort – Clearwater Embassy Suites – WestShore Mr. Robert Stephens First Citrus Bank Thamir A. Kaddouri, PA First Command Investments Trenam Kemker J.P. Morgan – The Private Bank TryCom Components Ms. Robin Lester Turner Consulting Services, LLC Marriott Hotel University of Tampa Athletics Tampa International Airport Whirlpool Corporation National Life Group Yacht Starship TargetedTTararrgegeted solutions. Fast,FFasastt,, local decisions.d One of the first college bowls to year, which not only saved on printing, AdvancedAdvanced technology.technologyy.. launch its own web site about twenty but is now emailed directly to more than years ago, today the Outback Bowl is 30,000 contacts in the bowls database. also active through numerous digital The bowl even has a Pinterest page. platforms, including Facebook and The bowl plans to work with partici - Twitter. Fans can join thousands of pating schools and local visitor bureaus DadeDade CityCity Pasco County friends of the Outback Bowl Facebook to market to a broader audience. “With ZephyrhillsZephyrhills page to get periodic updates on the the help of social media we are able to Pinellasellas County Hillsborough County happenings around the bowl, including DowntownDowo ntown communicate more efficiently, more BelleairBellleair HydeHyde ParkPark MacDillMacDill DavisDavis IslandIsland LLargoarrgoggo WWestshoreestshore Mid-County 4th4th StreetStrtreeeeet RiverviewRiverrvview special promotions and contests. They timely and to a larger audience,” notes NowNow isis when.when. BeachBBeach DriveDrive AApollopollo BBeacheach WestWest CentralCentrralal C1C1 BankBank isis where.wherere. can also follow the bowl on twitter for Mike Schulze, Outback Bowl Director of Manaanatee County real-time updates during the fall and Communications & Sponsorships. “It’s WestWest BradentonBrraadenton LakewoodLakewwoodood RanchRanch ContactContact usus fforor a cconsultationonsultation today.today. BradenBrada en RiverRiver throughout all the many activities part of our continued effort to reach out C1Bank.comC1Bank.com (877)(877) 266-2265266-2265 Gulf of Mexico during bowl week. to even more college football fans and to Charlotte County QVSQYW\U aOdW\Ua []\Sg [O`YSba []`bUOUSa VeteransVeterraans In addition, the Boomerang better communicate with our supporters.” PortPorrtt CharlotteCharlotte PcaW\SaaZ]O\a A0/ Z]O\a Oaa]QWObW]\ O\R b`SOac`g PuntaPunta GordaGorrdada Newsletter went to an online format last aS`dWQSa O\R O V]ab ]T ]bVS` a]^VWabWQObSR PO\YW\U ^`]RcQbag]c [WUVb \]b Sf^SQb Facebook.com/TheOutbackbowl • www.OutbackBowl.com 21 locations across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Twitter: @Outbackbowl • Pinterest.com/Outbackbowl Charlotte, and Pasco counties O U L TB W ACK B O Credit products subject to approval. MEMBER FDIC 2 Tampa Bay Bowl Association Official Newsletter About 1,300 Outback Bowl 50 yard line seat, literally, as they feast members and sponsors are expected on barbecue at their tables located to get a very unique experience on right on the field. The evening will A special thank you to these Sales Committee volunteers who have helped November 15th at the always popular be capped-off with one of the best fire - bring in Sponsors and Club Members to support the 2012-13 Outback Bowl. Forte Group Feast on the Fifty works shows in the area, right inside event in Raymond James Stadium. the stadium! Our friends at The Forte Invited guests will get to mingle on Group at Morgan Stanley are the spon - — All-American Level — the field of the stadium where the bowl sor of this festive annual bowl event. Troy Atlas Mitch Shriber game is played. They also will be able Contact the Outback Bowl at to participate in a field-goal kicking 813-874-BOWL and ask how you can Dick Christian Robert Stephens contest and imagine what it’s like to be become a Club Member or Sponsor of in the Outback Bowl as they look up the bowl in order to join us at this and and have to make that last second kick future bowl VIP events, as well as, sit in — Super Star Level — to win the game. Then they will get a the best seats in the stadium on January 1st. Tim Dyn Larry Marfise Larry Weicht — All-Star Level — Andrew Bladon Jim Major Todd Buchanan Mike Kerrigan Tim Daley Robin Lester Scott Jacobsen Tom Mitchell Chuck Johnson Bruce Poli Christopher Giblin Mark Ptolomey Kip Kelly Steve Pratico Robert Lee Tom Stewart catch the action with Bright House Networks.