After weeks of speculation and guessing where the Iowa Hawkeyes would be heading for their bowl game, the most trendy pick has become a reality. The Hawkeyes will travel to Orlando, Fla., to take on the Tennessee Volunteers in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Monday, Jan. 1 at 12:00 p.m. CT.
Iowa comes into the game sitting at 10-3 overall after a loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten Championship game. Tennessee enters 8-4 after a small regression this season after a magical 2022 campaign.
The two teams are very different in what they want to do, their identities on offense and defense, and how they want to play the game. It will be a battle of who can force the other to bend the knee and cater to their style first.
With the game nearly a month away, storylines are undoubtedly sure to pop up and become relevant, but here are five initial thoughts on the bowl game between Iowa and Tennessee.