No more beach bash.

The player's cruise has reached port.

Both teams will now take their separate paths to Tropicana Field.

It's almost game time.

UCF and Ball State have spent almost a week together away from the football field enjoying the beaches of St. Petersburg and touring around the Bay area, but, after tonight, the teams will go their seperate ways on the eve of the 2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl in St. Pete Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Both coaches are itching to get going.

"It gets to a point, you come to a bowl for one reason, and that's to win the bowl game," UCF head coach George O'Leary said. "It's getting down to that point right now where the bowl festivities are over after this luncheon and it's all about the game."

Both the Knights (9-4) and Cardinals (9-3) will be looking for their 10th win on the season. Ball State is still looking for their first bowl win in program history, as they're 0-5 in those contests.

Aside from the beach bash, All Children's Hospital visit and kickoff luncheon, both squads have been setting aside practice time to prepare for the game. Of course, Pete Lembo wouldn't mind a couple of more days to prepare.

"The coaches would always like to have a couple more to practice and get ready," Ball State head coach Pete Lembo said. "It's been a good season, it's been a long season and this is the exclamation point to it. We are just anxious to get out there and hopefully put our best foot forward."

As for UCF, the scene may be different, but the pre-game mentality will be anything but.

"After this luncheon, we are basically in a Friday before a Saturday game mode, and that's what you should be," O'Leary said. "They have enjoyed the bowl festivities, and now it's time to get down to business."

Bright House Sports Network, Bay News 9 and News 13 will be your home for Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl coverage. Tune in at 5 p.m. on Ch. 9 (Tampa) or Ch. 13 (Orlando) for complete coverage.