A young man who was part of my high school football broadcast a couple of years ago is now with ESPN in the Bristol, CT headquarters of the network. Adam is from Powell, did his undergrad at the U of Memphis, and then got his masters at UT. He has been with ESPN for a couple of years now working in the digital media area. Anyway, he told me yesterday that the folks at ESPN were simply amazed at the way the UT fans have reacted positively to and bought tickets for the Gator (yeah, I know, but it will always be the Gator Bowl to me) Bowl game, and that it was a "positive" amazement.
National media has taken notice.
Two things help. A hungry fan base and a good bowl. The Gamecocks, who have had success and been to good bowls the last few years, have only sold about 700 tickets to their bowl.