3 things to know for the Outback Bowl
Need a brief primer before you attempt to watch all 40 bowl games this season? We’ve got you covered. Here are three things you need to know about the Outback Bowl.
OUTBACK BOWL
Iowa (8-4) vs. Florida (8-4)
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET
ABC
— This game has the makings of a defensive slugfest with two top 30 defenses squaring off.
Florida is the better unit of the two, ranking No. 6 nationally in total defense, but Iowa really picked up its play down the stretch. After giving up 41 points in a loss to Penn State, Iowa allowed a combined 23 points in its final three games — wins over Michigan, Illinois and Nebraska. And while Iowa’s defense looked great late in the regular season, Florida had two of its worst performances (albeit against much better competition) in losses to Florida State and No. 1 Alabama in the SEC title game. The Gators gave up a combined 85 points in those two games after giving up a total of 130 points in their previous 10 games.
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— The winner of this game may be the team that can have some success through the air. Iowa still has star corner Desmond King in the fold, but the rest of the Hawkeyes secondary is pretty banged up. Florida’s passing attack is average at best, but those Iowa injuries (cornerbacks Greg Mabin and Manny Rugamba are both out) could present some opportunities for the Gators down the field. Purdue transfer Austin Appleby is expected to get the start at QB for the Gators. He took over as the top QB after Luke Del Rio injured his shoulder and has thrown for 1,225 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Antonio Callaway (47 catches, 666 yards, 3 TDs) is his top target.
Florida’s passing attack ranks No. 79 in the country. Iowa’s is even worse at No. 115. Senior quarterback C.J. Beathard is a good player, but struggles with accuracy at times. It doesn’t help that his receiving corps lost top option Matt VandeBerg to injury early in the year. Riley McCarron has stepped up in VandeBerg’s absence, but the Hawkeyes don’t have much else beyond McCarron and tight end George Kittle. If LeShun Daniels (1,013 yards) and Akrum Wadley (966 yards) don’t get things going for Iowa, it could be a tough day for Beathard against Florida, which has allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the country.
— Both teams had terrible bowl performances last season.
After dropping the Big Ten title game last year, Iowa was destroyed by Stanford in the Rose Bowl, 45-16. Iowa was overmatched from the start when Christian McCaffrey broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown catch. By halftime, the Hawkeyes trailed 35-0.
On the other side, Florida was handled easily by Michigan, 41-7, in the Citrus Bowl. The Gators allowed Michigan to put up 503 yards while gaining just 273. The game was tied 7-7 after one quarter but Michigan dominated the rest of the way.
Both teams undoubtedly want to have better showings this time around.
[Related: NFL draft prospects to watch in the bowl games]
Mascot fight prediction: Even if we give Iowa the benefit of having a hawk (instead of just its eye) participate in this fight, the edge still has to go to the gator.
Real predictions:
Graham Watson: Iowa 17, Florida 10
Nick Bromberg: Florida 3, Iowa 2
Sam Cooper: Florida 24, Iowa 17
Chris Herbert: Iowa 20, Florida 13
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
