Iowa Hawkeyes Headed to Tampa to Play #14 Vanderbilt

Perhaps Iowa football fans who travel to bowl games each season should just have a second home in the Tampa Bay area. The Iowa Hawkeyes are going bowling again, and once again, they'll be bowling in Tampa!

Which Bowl Game is Iowa Playing In?

The Iowa Hawkeyes have accepted a bid to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Iowa is no stranger to this bowl game, which used to be called the Outback Bowl. The Gazette reports that the Hawkeyes are 3-3 in this bowl game, including a win over Mississippi State in 2019.

Who is Iowa Playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl? 

The Hawkeyes will have a tough opponent in #14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Gazette reports that Vandy finished 8-2 in the tough SEC, and their 10 wins had them just outside the College Football Playoff. Vanderbilt is led by quarterback Diego Pavia. The senior has been in the Heisman Trophy race most of the season.

Which Iowa Players are Opting Out of the Bowl Game?

In this day and age of teams and players opting out of bowl games, the Gazette reports that Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says that isn't the case for the Hawkeyes. Ferentz stated, "Every indication I have right now is that our entire roster is ready to roll."

Iowa versus Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa Bay happens on Wednesday, December 31st, at 11 a.m. Iowa time. The game will be televised by ESPN.