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After taking care of Connecticut and with a little help from West Virginia, the University of Louisville football team now sets its sights on the last game of the year against Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl.

With the game set for Jan. 2, 2007, at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, fans across campus have started planning to invade South Beach for the New Year. While the dream of playing for the National Championship died against Rutgers, the excitement is back for the Cards and their fans for the first ever trip to a BCS Bowl game.

“It’s going to be crazy, I mean we have never gone to a BCS game before and I am thrilled to even have the opportunity to go, especially since it is my first year here,” freshman chemical engineering major Sean Warren said.

The football team has given fans a chance to travel to a bowl game in the past, but this will be undoubtley be the team’s biggest bowl appearance yet. Last year’s trip to the Gator Bowl and Louisville’s Fiesta Bowl win were great memories for the fans, but the Orange Bowl is a step up into the upper echelon of college football in many eyes.

Students now have a real opportunity to show up and support their school on the big stage.

Junior psychology major Misti Walker said, “I think it is great. The students really have the ability to come out and support U of L, more than academically. It is a great opportunity to show our school sprit.”

As far as making the trek to Miami for the game and participating in all the activities Walker said, “I would love to go. And if it works out that I can, I would like to get tickets. I think it is a great way to get involved and get people out and get students out to support their team.”

Wake Forest earned its spot in the game by winning the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship last Saturday with a 9-6 victory over Georgia Tech. The Demon Deacons are lead by freshman quarterback Riley Skinner and a dominating defense. Skinner has thrown for 1,780 yards on the season, and the team’s the defense allows only 15 points per game.

While the match up against Wake Forest may not be as high profile as many of the other bowl games, students are still excited for the game and seem confident Louisville will take care of business.

“It will be a challenge but I think we can more than handle them. Our offense is good and our defense has been staying strong all year. Brohm is back into it, so I think we have a shot at taking them down,” said Warren.

Walker agreed. “In these kind of championship games, any team can beat anybody