A super rare back-to-back bowl match up. Kentucky bested Iowa 20-17 last season on New Year’s Day in the Citrus bowl. Now a full calendar year later, these two will end 2022 right back in the same spot…almost. This year’s bowl is about 700 miles north but it makes for a unique book end for these two squads’ seasons.
How did Iowa get here?
Suffocating defense. Iowa’s defense was one of the best in the nation and were pretty much responsible for all seven of Iowa’s wins. Even in their two highest scoring games: 33 points against Northwestern and 27 against Rutgers, it was still the defense. Against NU they forced six punts and had a takeaway. Versus Rutgers, the d had two interceptions, one being returned for a touchdown. One of the few days the D wasn’t enough to overcome the wretched offense was against Nebraska, whose upset victory cost Iowa a trip to the Big Ten title game and sent them to this bowl instead.
How did Kentucky get here?
Going 3-5 in the SEC. When they were 4-0 (1-0) and ranked in the top ten, everything looked great for Kentucky contending with Georgia as second best in the division. Instead Tennessee would claim that position as the Wildcats went 3-5 over the final two months of the season, which included a loss to lowly Vanderbilt.
Why should we watch?
Honestly? You probably shouldn’t unless a fan of these teams. Personally, I’m an Iowa fan (no duh) but even if I were just a big football nut, Iowa’s defense is as good as advertised so that could reel me in…possibly.
Who should win…and should you bet?
Both teams are down on quarterbacks after massive transfer portal hits. Iowa will be having third stringer Joey Labas make his first career start after attempting zero passes in the regular season. Destin Wade for Kentucky will also be making his debut after attempting zero passes in the regular season. Both have good defenses but Iowa’s defense is statistically on par with Georgia while Kentucky’s is solid, but not on that elite level. Iowa’s defense will win the day. As for betting, I don’t care that it is the lowest over / under in recent history…take the under. Iowa will probably win 10-7 in a meatgrinder. Since Iowa is favored by 3, I’d be tempted to take that, too. Worst case scenario you push, right?
How to watch?
- Date: Saturday, December 31st
- Time: 11:00 am, central
- TV: ABC
- Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Random Tidbit:
Obviously the Stoops talk would go here but everyone is mentioning that, so, how about the basketball history between these two? Despite Kentucky being one of the bluest of bluebloods in the sport, Iowa only trails the series 3-5 (the football series is at 1-0, Kentucky). Their first hoops meeting was way back in 1956 NCAA tournament and was for a spot in the Final Four. Iowa won 89-77. Iowa would go on to knock off Temple in the semis before falling to Bill Russell’s San Francisco team in the title game. The teams met twice in the 1960s with ranked Kentucky squads knocking off unranked Iowa teams. In 1972 and 1973 the two set up a home-and-home in Iowa City and Lexington. In both games the road team won but the 1972 game was a nice upset for Iowa. They were unranked and took down the then 13th ranked Wildcats in Memorial Colosseum. UK would bounce back and make the elite eight while Iowa was floundering with Dick Schultz, the coach Iowa had between hall of famers Ralph Miller and Lute Olson. In 1997 and 2001 the two met in the NCAA tournament with UK triumphing both times. The 1997 team would make the Final Four but is overshadowed by national titles in 1996 and 1998. Finally in the most recent meeting, the 2005 Guardians Classic in Kansas City, 18th ranked Iowa upset top 10 Kentucky. Did I know they’ve played each other eight times in hoops? Nope. Did I realize Iowa wasn’t winless against UK? Nope. Fun learning stuff.
Big Ten and Counting 