Wisconsin Band

pic.twitter.com/T3MZ4R1oQy

— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) January 2, 2017

Western Michigan Band

Getting warmed up

Rays of sunlight hit the AT&T Stadium field as the first warmups begin for the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

   It's Game Day! The AT&T Stadium parking lots are full of tailgaters while inside final preparations are being made for the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
   Western Michigan (13-0) vs. Wisconsin (10-3) will kick off at 12:01 pm (Central) and will be televised on ESPN as well as ESPN Deportes.
   This is the 13th time the Cotton Bowl Classic has been played on Jan. 2 instead of the traditional New Year's Day. The last time the game was played on Jan. 2, Mississippi and Oklahoma State met in the 2010 game that was the first to be played in AT&T Stadium.

AT&T Stadium Bag Policy will be enforced Monday

   If you got a huge Badgers or Broncos tote bag for Christmas and you're dying to show it off at the game, sorry. The AT&T Stadium bag policy will be in effect Monday for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
   The chart above has all the details (click on it for a larger version). Basically, only small, see-through bags are permitted into the stadium.
   The policy is to help ensure everyone's safety. Besides, you don't want to get nacho cheese sauce on that brand-new tote bag.

Battle of the Bands

The best @PlainsCapital Bank Battle of the Bands yet! The @UWBadgers and @WMUBroncos came to play! pic.twitter.com/0blEQW51rD

— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2017

Final Words: Head coaches' press conference means game is near

Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck (left) and Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst speak to the media one last time the day before squaring off in the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Photo: Melissa Macatee/CBAA

   After a week of fun and practices, almost everyone involved in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is itching to take the field. One sure sign that it's getting close to kickoff time is the annual combined press conference with the competing coaches.
   Both Wisconsin's Paul Chryst and Western Michigan's P.J. Fleck said Sunday morning that their teams are ready for the challenge that awaits them.
   "This week has been life changing for a lot of our players, I will say that," Fleck said. "We're very humble to be here. We're very humble to be able to represent the Group of 5, the Mid-American Conference, and obviously the elite institution that Western Michigan is.
   "We play an incredible opponent. Coach Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers have done a tremendous job all year. They're very, very deserving of where they're at. We have got our hands full for tomorrow."
   Wisconsin's Chryst was also appreciative of the Cotton Bowl's famed hospitality and the opportunities provided to his team.
   "And now tomorrow we get to play the game," Chryst said. "I think that's the way that we as a team get to pay back. It's our thank you to the Cotton Bowl and everything they've done, is to play well.
   "And we're going to need to play well, obviously. I think you don't go undefeated in a season without being a really good team and not just good players and good coaching, but I think Western has got something going that grabbed the attention of our players early in the preparation."

Rangerettes keep kickin' up fun at the Cotton Bowl

Members of the Kilgore College Rangerettes served as hostesses at Wisconsin's team visit to Main Event.

   Monday's game will mark the 67th consecutive appearance of the famed Kilgore College Rangerettes at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
   The Rangerettes, the original dance/drill team, have become a part of the Cotton Bowl experience beyond pregame and halftime performances. The Rangerettes serve as ambassadors for the Cotton Bowl throughout game week, such as serving as greeters and hostesses for many events.
   Every sophomore member of the Rangerettes receives a commemorative watch from the Cotton Bowl as thanks for their service.