Alabama vs. Mich. State: Interesting Facts about the Capital One Bowl in Orlando

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

I got the credentials package for the Capital One Bowl last week and just now got around to reading the kit. Inside was a lot of interesting information I never considered.

Ticket Prices $45 to $225 - Now, there's a range. I have a lot of friends wondering how to get those $45 tickets, and I'm sure wondering what you get for the $225 ones.

Parking Passes for the Press - Boy, I wish Alabama would do that for me as well.

Stadium Capacity - Just over 65,000. That's smaller than the old Legion Field. Seems like they would have a bigger stadium. Last year's game saw just over 63,000 file into the stadium; this one's sold out.

Payout - Last year's Penn State vs. LSU game paid out $8.5 million. In a bad economy, this one pays out $9.2 million. Not too bad for a "second tier" bowl.

Other Incentives for the Press - Gift bags at registration, free admission to Disney with the team, and of course, all the food and beverages are complimentary.

Other Names for this Stadium:

1947-1882:Tangerine Bowl; I guess that's like the Orange Bowl's little brother.

1983-1993: Florida Citrus Bowl; Let's just incorporate the whole citrus industry here.

1994-1999: Comp USA Florida Citrus Bowl; Oh, the beginning of corporate sponsorship, and then Comp USA almost went bankrupt.

2000: Ourhouse.Com Florida Citrus Bowl; Never heard of them

2001-2002: Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl; The last time it was named after a fruit.

2003-present: Capital One Bowl; Sounds more dignified and places more emphasis on the sponsor don't you think?

Team Hotels:

Michigan State: The Peabody; They share a hotel with Ducks. If you've never seen the duck march from the fountain you've missed a treat.

Alabama: Renaissance Orlando Resort; The Peabody may have location, but I've stayed at both, and the Renaissance is much nicer digs.

Want to See Kids in a Candy Store? Be at Best Buy, 8350 S. Orange Blossom Trail at 2:00pm on Thursday and see the Alabama players racing through the store to spend their $450 dollar gift cards.

Team Fun times:

Today: DisneyQuest in Disney World early morning; later Alabama does Sea World from 4:00pm to closing

Monday: Back to Disney from 2:45 til...

Tuesday: 2:45 til...Universal Studios

Wednesday: 2:45 til...Back to Disney

Thursday: The aforementioned shopping trip to Best Buy and a stop at the 5:00pm Pep Rally

Friday: All work

Saturday: Game Time

Though Saban is letting the boys have fun, this year they seem focused not to have a repeat of the Utah game in the Sugar Bowl when they had little to play for. Still, it will be an enjoyable week they will always remember.