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Despite the new name, the University of Illinois has secured a prestigious bowl invitation as the Illini will be facing Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.
The Big Ten-SEC matchup at the former Outback Bowl continues to kick off the traditional New Year’s Day bowl viewing schedule.
This season, the term “New Year’s Day bowl” may be deceiving. January 1st lands on a Sunday, so Jan. 2nd will be recognized as the federal New Year’s Day holiday. Traditional bowl games will also be played on Jan. 2nd, including the Rose Bowl and its parade.
Illinois fans celebrating the new year at Raymond James Stadium will witness an 11 a.m (CT) kickoff at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ home field.
ReliaQuest Bowl guide to viewing
- The event will take place at 11 a.m. CT on Monday, January 2nd.
- Location: Raymond James Stadium is in Tampa, FL.
- Mississippi State from the SEC Conference with a record of 8-4 is the opponent.
- TV: ESPN2
Expect Disney to broadcast the game on either its free ESPN3 or subscription-based ESPN+ streaming platform.
Troy Atlas, chair of the ReliaQuest Bowl, expressed his enthusiasm about the matchup to the Tampa Bay Bowl Association.
“We anticipate an exciting matchup between two top-tier teams that will be enjoyed by fans. We are eager to welcome both teams and their supporters, guaranteeing a fantastic experience both at the game and exploring the vibrant Tampa Bay area.”
Betting on the ReliaQuest Bowl?
A trip to Tampa will not provide an escape from the online sports betting restrictions in Illinois. While Illinois allows online sports betting, bets cannot be placed on games involving an Illinois team.
Nevertheless, supporters have the option to wager on a local team by visiting an Illinois casino and utilizing a betting window.
Florida fans are envious of those who have access to sports betting. The state briefly saw the potential for it, but a legal dispute between the state and the Seminole Tribe has put a halt to progress.
If you’re looking to wager on college football bowl games in Illinois, here are your options:
- Head to an Illinois casino to wager on the ReliaQuest Bowl.
- Place bets from the comfort of your own home on all the remaining college football bowl games.
- If you’re traveling to Florida for the game, you can make a bet while passing through Indiana, or detour to Michigan or Ohio (where sports betting will be available starting January 1). Keep in mind that sports betting is not legal in Kentucky, Georgia, or Florida, but you can download a Tennessee sports betting app while passing through that state.
Mississippi State is currently a slight favorite over Illinois in the opening lines, but the odds may change due to potential opt-outs and injuries. The game is still a month away.
The ReliaQuest Bowl field guide
About Illinois
The Illini are playing in their first Florida bowl game since their dominant 63-21 victory over Virginia in the 1999 MicronPC.com Bowl, held in Miami.
Illinois is returning to Tampa for only the second time, with their last appearance being in 1991 when Coach John Mackovic’s team lost to Clemson 30-0 in the Hall of Fame Bowl. Outback took over sponsorship from April 1995 until March 2022, featuring their famous coconut shrimp and blooming onion.
Tampa’s bowl game, regardless of its name, has been a staple in the community for 36 years. Since the 1996 game, the Tampa Bay Bowl Association has consistently matched upper-tier teams from the Big Ten and SEC conferences.
The Illini have a record of 8-11 in their 19 bowl appearances. The 2020 and 2021 teams did not make it to a bowl game. The invitation to the ReliaQuest Bowl marks the program’s first appearance in a top-tier bowl since the 2007 team played in the 2008 Rose Bowl.
Illinois had a standout season in 2022, with running back Chase Brown leading the way. The Illini finished with an 8-4 record, marking their first winning season since 2011 and their best record since 2007. Brown had an impressive season, ranking second in the nation with 1,643 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns.
The Tampa game will feel like a home game for the team’s 18 players who hail from Florida.
Coach Bret Bielema emphasized the significance of recruiting in Florida and expressed excitement for families to drive down and watch their sons play, noting the numerous benefits of the opportunity.
About Mississippi State
In Raymond James Stadium, a pirate ship sets the scene for No. 23 Mississippi State, a team known for its colorful and quotable “pirate” head coach. Similar to Illinois, Mike Leach’s team achieved an 8-4 record in 2022.
If the Bulldogs emerge victorious in the ReliaQuest Bowl, the trophy won’t be the only one in Starkville. Mississippi State already claimed the Egg Bowl and its trophy after defeating Ole Miss 24-22 in the regular season finale. Bielema praised the Bulldogs as a skilled team led by a talented quarterback.
Their defense is underrated and deserves more credit. I’ve been studying them closely for the past few days and I’m eager to face an opponent that Illinois has never defeated. Additionally, Illinois has never beaten an SEC opponent in a bowl game. Our goal this year has been to accomplish new feats, and this opportunity ranks high on that list. I am also looking forward to competing against Mike Leach and his coaching staff.
The ReliaQuest Bowl travel guide
Buying tickets
The University of Illinois strongly encourages fans to buy their bowl tickets directly from the Illinois Ticket Office. Purchasing tickets through the team website not only benefits the Illinois athletics budget and helps fans locate Illinois-friendly sections at the stadium, but it also demonstrates to bowl selection committees that Illinois fans are dedicated travelers.
Illinois fans must submit their ticket requests by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. Seats will be allocated based on I FUND annual giving levels and priority points. Fans will be notified if they received tickets by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11.
You can also purchase tickets through Ticketmaster on the official bowl site. General public tickets are available for immediate purchase.
Club seats are priced at $170, while standard admission seats are priced at $80.
Getting to the stadium
These are the directions to the stadium directly from the ReliaQuest Bowl website.
Travel from St. Petersburg using I-275.
- Continue driving north on I-275 and then take the Dale Mabry exit. Proceed north on Dale Mabry for about 1.5 miles until you arrive at the parking area.
From Clearwater:
- To reach Spruce Street, drive east on Highway 60 over the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Continue east on Spruce/Boy Scout Blvd. until you reach Dale Mabry Hwy. Turn left for stadium parking.
From North Hillsborough/Carrollwood:
- Proceed south on Dale Mabry Highway to reach the stadium parking.
From Northwest Hillsborough:
- Continue driving on Veterans Expressway until you reach Hillsborough Ave. Turn right and head east towards Dale Mabry Highway. Take a right onto Dale Mabry or Himes Ave. heading south, and continue until you arrive at the parking area.
From East Tampa/Brandon:
- Travel west on I-4, then south on I-275. Take either Exit 41B (Himes Ave.) or Exit 41A (Dale Mabry Hwy.). Turn right onto Himes Ave. or Dale Mabry Hwy. and head north to reach the parking area.
From N.E. Tampa/USF area:
- Drive south on I-275 until you reach Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
- Next, take a right turn (heading west) towards the stadium parking lot.
Once you’ve arrived
The parking lots around the stadium will be open at 8 a.m. on game day, but overnight parking is not permitted. Illinois fans have the option to purchase parking spaces in advance by visiting reliaquestbowl.com for more information. Other parking spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that parking is cashless, so be sure to have an alternative form of payment ready.
Spend $40 on cars and motorcycles, and $140 on limos, buses, and campers.
You can find extra parking at Al Lopez Park and Tampa Jesuit High School, located north of the stadium off Himes Ave.
Finding your seat
The ReliaQuest Bowl now requires mobile-only tickets for admission. Printed copies of tickets, PDFs, and screenshots will not be accepted at the gate.
Children under the age of 3 receive free admission as long as they do not require a seat. For inquiries, please contact the bowl office at 813-874-2695.
What to do in the Tampa Bay area
Illinois has finalized its bowl destination and is now organizing travel packages for the trip. Upon arrival, fans can look forward to two scheduled events.
Join us at Clearwater Beach Day at Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort on Friday, December 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET). Players, cheerleaders, media, alumni, and guests will come together on the beautiful white sandy beaches to enjoy music, food, and festivities.
On Saturday, December 31st from 5:30 to 8 p.m., head to Seventh Avenue in the Ybor City district for the New Year’s Eve Parade and Band Blast. Enjoy parade floats and performances by college and high school bands in the Ybor City neighborhood. Don’t miss out on the pep rally with school bands and cheerleaders.
Illinois fans have the opportunity to explore other attractions in addition to attending bowl events. Some potential sights to see in the Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa areas include:
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park
- The beach walk connecting Clearwater Beach to Pier 60 Park.
- Caladesi Island State Park
- Performing Arts Center at the Straz
- Sparkman Wharf
- Yacht Starship cruise
- Ybor City Historic District
- Clearwater Beach
- Fort DeSoto Park
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- John’s Pass Village
- Clearwater Community Sailing Center
- The Salvador Dali Museum
- Tarpon Springs
