USC football team appear to be headed back to Outback Bowl

By Joseph Person - The (Columbia) State

COLUMBIA -- Though the SEC's bowl bids are not expected to go out until Sunday, the South Carolina Gamecocks appear headed for Tampa, Fla., to the Jan. 1 Outback Bowl, where they beat Ohio State in consecutive bowls following the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

USC (7-5) dropped its final two games to Florida and Clemson by a combined 67 points. The late-season slide, combined with the economic recession, will test the loyalty of a fan base known for its resiliency.

"Any time you lose your last game, especially when you play your rival team, it's tough for a few days or so. But at the end of the day, it's more about the body of work that's been done for the season," Outback Bowl spokesman Mike Schulze said.

The bowl pits the Gamecocks against a Big Ten team, most likely Iowa or Northwestern.

USC officials Tuesday declined to divulge how many bowl ticket orders have been taken, saying it would be premature to do so before the Gamecocks' destination has been announced.