YBOR, Fla. — While many folks stay up past midnight to ring in the new year, fans going to the Outback Bowl Tuesday may call it an early night so they can get up early and tailgate ahead of the noon kick off.
Fans will still be able to celebrate Monday in Ybor as the Outback Bowl parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m.
"It’s always a good season when you make the Bowl Game. 8-4 is nothing to be ashamed of obviously next year we’re going to the national championship but it’s a good start here,” said Austin Smith, a Iowa Hawkeyes fan.
Numerous floats, 15 high school bands and two college bands from the teams competing will make their way down 7th from 20th street to 14th street. The parade is expected to go until 7:30 p.m, but road closures will continue until about 10 p.m.
21st and 22nd Avenue will remain open as the route in and out of the area, but many smaller roads in between will be blocked off until the parade is over.
"We’ve got a first-year coach, Coach Moorehead, and he’s done a great job pulling the team together and finish strong for the season,” said Lee Palles, a Mississippi State Bulldogs fan.
Aside from supporting their teams, fans say the weather has been fantastic.
"it’s been great! No complaints, it’s a little warmer than Iowa,” Smith said. "Just a little.”
Mississippi fans say they’re excited to get loud inside Raymond James Stadium.
"Everybody is saying hail state and more cowbell! Here we go! We should have brought the cowbell today. It's in the car!” said Palles. “They're letting us take it in the stadium, which not all the stadiums allow! So we're excited!"
