Outback Bowl

So last year for the Sugar Bowl, some New Orleans natives and regulars gave us great advice about places to eat, things to see, and places to stay. Those tips were incredibly useful. I was wondering if some Tampa natives or regulars could give us some advice on things to see, places to eat, places to stay, etc.

Most importantly, can anyone tell us where to spend NYE? We've heard that Channelside can be decent, and then there's Ybor City as well as South Howard/Hyde Park.

What is public transportation like around the city? There's a trolley that runs supposedly. Anyone know how convenient it is and how late it runs?

What are the taxis like? Is it cheap to go from Ybor City to South Howard? Are they plentiful? (for example Purdue and Indiana University LACK CABS)

What is the tailgate scene like before the game at Raymond James? Are there specific lots we should buy a tailgate pass for?

Thanks in advance for all of your tips. Pretty sure there wasn't a thread dedicated to this, hope I'm not wrong.

Per ESPN release, the announcers for the bowl will be Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden. The sideline reporter will be Shannon Spake.

Thoughts? I'm definitely not a huge fan of Gruden, personally, but I do like Tirico most of the time.

Link: http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2012/12/61713/