Nashville Cat Fight: Music City Bowl Picks Kentucky, Northwestern

NASHVILLE, TN -- For the fifth time in the 20-year history of the game, the University of Kentucky will play in the Music City Bowl. The Wildcats will take on fellow Wildcats Northwestern at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at Nissan Stadium.

Historically, Kentucky fans have traveled well to Nashville for the bowl game. The previous four Music City Bowls including Kentucky had an average attendance north of 63,000 with two games sold out. Kentucky played Syracuse in the second Music City Bowl in 1999, the first at what is now Nissan Stadium, and in the 10th anniversary game in 2007 against Florida State. Kentucky also played in the 2006 and 2009 games, both against Clemson. Kentucky is 2-2 all-time in the game.

It could be a weekend of tough choices for UK fans though, as the Big Blue's basketball team takes on cross-state rival Louisville at noon Dec. 29.

Northwestern is making its first trip to the Music City Bowl, but brings some history of its own as the first nine-win team to ever play in the game. Northwestern is playing in its third bowl game in three seasons under coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was a standout linebacker for the Northwestern team that won the Big 10 in 1995, sending the team to the Rose Bowl, its first bowl game since 1948. After decades of futility, Northwestern has played in 12 bowl games in 22 years.

The FanZone on Lower Broadway opens Dec. 28. The popular Battle of the Bands will be 5 p.m. on Dec. 28.

Tickets and VIP packages are available online.

Image via Shutterstock