The Daily Iowan Pregame - 12.15.2021

PREGAME The Daily Iowan

Saturday, Januar y 1 Iowa vs. Kentucky Camping World Stadium

BACK TO BOWLING Iowa will play Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl a year after its trip to the Music City Bowl was canceled.

2 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Iowa Starters

MARQUEE MATCHUP

WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR QB RB FB PK

6 84 78 64 65 77 56 89 7 25 38 10

Keagan Johnson Sam LaPorta Mason Richman Kyler Schott Tyler Linderbaum Connor Colby Nick DeJong Nico Ragaini Spencer Petras Gavin Williams Monte Pottebaum Caleb Shudak

6-1 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-1 5-8

197 249 296 294 290 298 292 191 233 211 246 178

FR. JR. FR. SR. JR. FR. SO. JR. JR. FR. JR. SR.

LE DT DT RE CASH MLB WLB LC SS FS RC P

92 99 85 97 4 31 44 27 26 28 33 9

John Waggoner Noah Shannon Logan Lee

6-5 6-0 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-4

266 289 277 267 205 243 229 185 211 204 194 231

JR. JR. SO. SR. JR. JR. JR. SO. JR. SR. SR. SO.

Zach VanValkenburg

Dane Belton Jack Campbell Seth Benson Jermari Harris

Kaevon Merriweather

Jack Koerner Riley Moss Tory Taylor

Kentucky Starters

Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive linemen Zach VanValkenburg rushes the passer during a football game between Iowa and Indiana at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 4. The Hawkeyes are matched up against one of the best offensive lines in the country in the Citrus Bowl.

STAFF

Nicknamed the “Big Blue Wall,” Kentucky’s offensive line is one of the best fronts in the nation.

The group is one of four finalists for the Joe Moore Award — given to the most outstanding offensive line unit in college football. 2021 marks the fourth consecutive year the group has been a finalist for the honor. Behind the talented line, junior running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. ranks second in the SEC 12th nationally with 106 rushing yards per game.

He has totaled 1,272 yards and tied a school record with eight 100-yard rushing games this season. The O-line has the Wildcats on pace to average at least 200 yards per game passing and rushing for the first time in school history. The Wildcats are averaging

5.51 yards per carry — good for fourth in the country. Experience has been the biggest key to the success of Kentucky’s front as the five players have 119 combined starts. Senior right tackle Darian Kinnard has started 38 consecutive games, while fifth-year senior Luke Fortner has started 35 straight games, including every game this season at center. Kinnard won the Jacobs Blocking award, given to the SEC’s top blocker, and allowed only one sack all season.

Fortner was named to the All-SEC first team by the coaches and second team by Pro Football Focus. He too only allowed one sack this year. Read The Daily Iowan’s full scouting report at dailyiowan.com Chris Werner, Sports Reporter.

Publisher Jason Brummond

Managing Editors Rylee Wilson, Josie Fischels

Business Manager Debbie Plath

Executive Editor Caleb McCullough

Managing Digital Editor Kelsey Harrell

Advertising Director Juli Krause

Pregame Editor Robert Read

Photo Editors Jerod Ringwald, Grace Smith

Production Manager Heidi Owen

Football Reporters Austin Hanson, Chloe Peterson, Chris Werner

DITV Sports Director Destinee Cook

Front design by Robert Read Front photo by Grace Smith

Questions or comments for the Pregame staff? E-mail Pregame Editor Robert Read at robert-read@uiowa.edu.

QB ­ RB WR WR TE TE LT LG C RG RT PK

7 24 1 6 83 80 51 68 79 61 70 96

Will Levis Chris Rodriguez Jr. Wan’Dale Robinson Josh Ali Justin Rigg Brenden Bates Dare Rosenthal Kenneth Horsey Luke Fortner Austin Dotson Darian Kinnard Matt Ruffolo

6-3 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-6 6-5 6-7 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-5 5-11

232 224 183 190 261 255 327 302 297 321 338 210

JR. JR. JR. SR. SR. JR. JR. JR. SR. SR. SR. SR.

JLB DE NG DT MLB WLB SLB CB CB SS FS P

15 4 50 94 10 5 9 3 14 23 29 93

Jordan Wright Joshua Paschal Marquan McCall Abdule Abadi-Fitzgerald Jacquez Jones DeAndre Square Davonte Robinson Cedrick Dort Jr. Carrington Valentine Tyrell Ajian Yusuf Corker Wilson Berry

6-5 6-3 6-3 6-6 6-0 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-4

225 275 344 303 235 221 210 188 188 190 204 193

SR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SR. SO. SR. SR. FR.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 3

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz walks down the sideline during the Big Ten Championship game between Iowa and Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec. 4. Iowa is seekings its fourth straight bowl win.

Bowl season is back for Iowa

The Hawkeyes didn’t play in the postseason in 2020 because of the Music City Bowl’s cancellation, but will get a chance for an 11th win this season in a Citrus Bowl matchup with Kentucky at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 1.

Robert Read Pregame Editor Black banners celebrating the bowl games the Hawkeye football program has participated in over the years cover the walls and overlook the turf field in Iowa’s indoor practice facility. The year of the game and the name of the bowl

are displayed on the banners in white and gold lettering. The term “Champions” is added for the games the Hawkeyes won.

The newest addition to this collection commemorates a game that the Hawkeyes didn’t win. But they didn’t lose it, either.

Iowa earned a spot in

the 2020 Music City Bowl, which was never played.

Missouri, Iowa’s scheduled opponent in that game, was forced to pull out of the contest because of COVID-19 cases within its program. A year later, the Hawkeyes are adding another banner to their collection, and this time,

it will represent a game the Hawkeyes will actually have the chance to win.

Iowa is playing Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, providing the Hawkeyes with their first bowl game since 2019.

“I feel like any time we have the chance to go to a bowl game, it’s just a re-

flection on how we played during the season,” defensive back Dane Belton said. “Not being able to go to a bowl last year, you see the banner up there in our indoor [facility], and it doesn’t say champions even though we didn’t get to play in it. We want to go out there this year and get

a banner that says champions, so we see that as extra motivation.”

The Hawkeyes have already participated in a game this postseason. Iowa lost to Michigan, 42-3, in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 4.

CITRUS BOWL | Page 4

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CITRUS BOWL Continued from Page 3

A win in that game wouldn’t only have made the Hawkeyes Big Ten Champions, it would have sent them to the Rose Bowl. Instead, Iowa will play a bowl game in Orlando, Florida, for the first time since the 2005 Capital One Bowl. That game ended in an Iowa victory when former Hawkeye quarterback Drew Tate fired a last-second, game-winning 56-yard touchdown to Warren Holloway against LSU, the defending national champions who were, at the time, coached by Nick Saban.

That win in Orlando nearly two decades ago provided Iowa with its 10th win of that season.

This year’s No. 15 Hawkeyes (10-3 overall, 7-3 Big Ten) can reach an even rarer program milestone with a win over the No. 22 Wildcats (9-3, 5-3 SEC).

The 2021 Hawkeyes became the 10th team in school history to win 10 games in a season.

Beating Kentucky on New Year’s Day would make this year’s Iowa team the fourth in school history to reach 11 wins.

“It’s going to mean a lot,” said Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum, this year’s Rimington Award winner. “It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure. Obviously, 11-3 sounds a lot better than 10-4. That’s going to be our goal. It doesn’t happen often around here, 11 wins in this program. Our team’s been through a lot this year. To get that 11th win is going to mean a lot to us. We’re going to have to work hard and prepare our butts off for this game.”

The Hawkeyes enter their 34th bowl game appearance having won three consecutive bowls (excluding last year’s bowl) for the second time in

program history. Iowa is 1715-1 all-time in bowl games and 9-8 in 23 years under head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Iowa is 6-5 against current SEC teams in bowl games but have never faced Kentucky.

The Hawkeyes are very familiar with the Wildcats’ coach, though.

Mark Stoops played defensive back at Iowa under Hayden Fry in the late 1980s before becoming a graduate assistant on the Hawkeye coaching staff. For the last nine years, Stoops has led the Wildcats. Stoops is one victory away from his second 10-win season at Kentucky. The first of which came in 2018, a season that ended with the Wildcats winning the Citrus Bowl.

The Hawkeyes will do their best to prevent one of their alums from doing that again.

“To have a bowl opportunity, it’s really exciting,” Ferentz said. “I’m just so proud of our team, the way they played this year, what they’ve been able to do, and how they’ve maximized their ability. To play in a bowl like the Citrus Bowl, it’s such a great reward for our players. Really happy for them to get this opportunity.”

Iowa is heading into the bowl game without Tyler Goodson, its leading rusher in each of the last three seasons.

The junior announced on Dec. 10 that he was declaring for the NFL Draft and opting out of the Citrus Bowl. Iowa’s 123rd-ranked offense will be without its 1,000-yard rusher against Kentucky’s defense, which is allowing 22 points per game this season.

Kentucky and Iowa have both seen plenty of ups and downs since starting their respective seasons 6-0. The Hawkeyes reached as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press Poll, while the Wildcats

Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum blocks Michigan defensive lineman Jess Speight during the Big Ten Championship game between Iowa and Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec. 4. Linderbaum said winning an 11th game this season would “mean a lot.” climbed to No. 11.

From there, both teams suffered losing skids (two straight losses for Iowa, three for Kentucky) before winning out over the rest of the regular season. Iowa’s winning streak was snapped with its 39-point loss to Michigan. The Hawkeyes are coming off their worst loss since 1999 heading into the Citrus Bowl.

“Obviously, it was a disappointing night for us [against Michigan],” said Ferentz, who would tie Joe Paterno for most bowl wins as a Big Ten head coach (10) by beating Kentucky. “But the good news is right now we’ll put a good plan together, and more importantly, we’ve got a group that’s already proved this year how resilient they are. They’ve gotten back up off the turf a couple times already this year. I have full

confidence we’ll do it again.

We’ve got great leadership on this football team.

They’re exceptional young guys.”

Ferentz noted that, after Iowa lost to Michigan State in the 2015 Big Ten title game, the Hawkeyes were physically, mentally, and emotionally drained going into the 2016 Rose Bowl, a game in which Iowa lost 4516. That’s something Ferentz has been mindful of as he’s preparing his team for the Citrus Bowl.

The Hawkeyes returned to team activities on Dec. 7 after finding out their bowl destination on Dec. 5. That morning, Iowa had a brief meeting and a light workout consisting mostly of stretching. The Hawkeyes have lifted periodically since then, but finals week will be another light week as far as

game preparation for players, Ferentz said.

Once the semester ends, Iowa will dive deeper into its game plan for Kentucky.

Iowa will have 15 practices to get ready for the Wildcats.

And the Hawkeyes don’t plan on wasting any one of them.

Iowa was pummeled the last time they were on the field. Ferentz’s 24-hour rule is still in effect, so the Hawkeyes aren’t supposed to dwell on a loss for longer than the day after the game. But, unlike a regular week, Iowa didn’t get a chance to immediately play a game after losing to Michigan.

Instead, the 2021 Hawkeyes will have waited almost a month by the time they get to play their last game together.

Only the Wildcats stand in the way of going out with a win.

“We have a great oppor-

tunity coming up to finish out the season as this group of guys,” said Belton, who is from Tampa, Florida. “Last game we’ll ever play together, and I feel like that’s what we do. We’ll go hit the practice field and get back to working … I feel like we’re going to go out and give it our all as an opportunity together. One more time to play one last game, so I feel like we’re going to be ready.”

robert-read@uiowa.edu

CITRUS BOWL Who: No. 15 Iowa vs. No. 22 Kentucky When: Jan. 1 at noon Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida Line: KY -3.0

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 5

File photo/The Daily Iowan Hawkeye football players celebrate winning the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2005. Iowa is making its first trip back to Orlando, Florida, since that game for the 2022 Citrus Bowl.

Drew Tate remembers ‘The Catch’

Former Hawkeye quarterback Drew Tate lobbed a 56-yard, last-second TD to defeat LSU in the 2005 Capital One Bowl.

Chloe Peterson Assistant Sports Editor A last-second field goal would have won Iowa the 2005 Capital One Bowl.

Instead, a 56-yard, last-second heave for a game-winning, walk-off touchdown provided Hawkeye football

fans with one of the most memorable plays in program history. Now, Iowa is preparing to play in its first Orlando bowl game since “The Catch.”

The Daily Iowan interviewed former Iowa quarterback Drew Tate ahead of the 2022 Citrus Bowl to look back

at the last time the Hawkeye played in Orlando. Iowa trailed LSU, 25-24, with 70 yards to go and 39 seconds left on the clock at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 1, 2005.

The Hawkeyes only needed to gain around 40 yards for

former Hawkeye kicker Kyle Schlicher. Iowa trusted Schlicher to make a long kick, as he converted on 21 field goals during the 2004 season — a Hawkeye program record.

“Really, before that drive, we were just like, ‘Hey, if we can get it in [field goal range],

you know, Schlicher’s been having a good year, we got to get into field goal range.’’

Tate, the 2005 Capital One Bowl MVP, said. “So, we had a good return. So, I mean, we were just wanting to get into field goal range, I remember, and it’s crazy how it played

out that way.”

The Hawkeyes didn’t get a field goal. As Tate went under center for the final Hawkeye drive of the 200405 season, he fumbled with his clock management.

TATE | Page 6

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TATE

Continued from Page 5 First, Tate notched a first down on an 11-yard throw, stopping the clock at 33 seconds. Tate’s second throw came just short of a first down marker, keeping the clock ticking down.

“They’ve gotta call a timeout here, they’ve gotta call a timeout here,” Iowa play-byplay announcer Gary Dolphin and color commentator Ed Pololak repeated on the radio broadcast.

But Tate didn’t call a timeout. Instead, with 15 seconds remaining, the Hawkeyes rushed into formation and Tate called for a snap before the line was set — drawing a false start penalty.

The Hawkeyes lost six seconds and five yards before the final play of the game.

“I don’t know,” Tate said of his decision to spike the ball instead of calling for a timeout. “It was just kind of a funny business with timeouts and how we were going to use them, I guess. It was always kind of like that all year, like, [head coach Kirk Ferentz] is very, you know, conscientious of his time outs. So, just, I don’t know, it played out that way. It’s crazy. In order for the game to happen the way it did, I was supposed to do that. We’re supposed to do that, right?”

After the penalty, the clock didn’t stop. Tate said, after he broke his huddle, the referees signaled to him that the clock was, in fact, still running. And Tate rushed his offense together for what he knew was going to be the final play of the game.

“Now, they’ve gotta call timeout, they wind the clock,” Dolphin said over the radio

Aaron Holmgren/The Daily Iowan Iowa quarterback Drew Tate evades Ohio State defensive end Mike Kudla in the second half of the Hawkeyes’ victory over Ohio State on Oct. 16, 2004. Tate provided Hawkeye fans with an unforgettable play the last time the Hawkeyes played a bowl game in Orlando, Florida. broadcast as the Hawkeye line got set with 11 seconds remaining. “Nine seconds to play and Drew Tate doesn’t know that. The game’s going to end on this play.”

The game-ending play? A 56-yard touchdown throw to fifth-year senior Warren Holloway.

The Iowa crowd in Orlando threw their hands in the air and screamed as Tate and the rest of the Hawkeyes ran to celebrate in the end zone.

Dolphin yelled from the radio

booth, “Touchdown Iowa, no time on the clock. I don’t believe what I just saw.”

Holloway had 29 catches for 283 yards over the course of the 2004-05 season and recorded his first collegiate touchdown catch at the Capital One Bowl.

“Shoot, just a crazy ending, right?” Tate said. “Just the way it all played out, that was really cool. And then the guy that caught the damn ball, the story is crazy. Because on him, he was a fifth-year senior,

never had a touchdown until the last game of his career… It was really cool, really special.”

Now, 17 years after “The Catch,” head coach Kirk Ferentz and his 2021 Hawkeye football team will return to Camping World Stadium for the Citrus Bowl.

The game was referred to as the Capital One Bowl from 2003-13 and changed to the Citrus Bowl beginning in the 2014 season.

“We’re just really excited to have this opportunity,” Fer-

entz said. “I’m one of the few people around here, I guess, that remembers the trip. It was such a great experience for everybody involved with most of our team, obviously. Everybody there had a great time in Orlando. [The Citrus Bowl] did a great job hosting an event.

We’re thrilled to be back there.

It’s been quite a while.”

Tate hasn’t been keeping up with the 10-3 Hawkeyes throughout most of this season. But he has a game plan for the Hawkeyes to beat the

9-3 Wildcats — keep the Citrus Bowl a low-scoring game.

“They keep it in the 20s or the teens,” Tate said. “You know, that’s definitely where Iowa is more comfortable playing games. It’s definitely a tough game though. No doubt about it. Kentucky is a really good team. Mark Stoops has done a really good job with Kentucky, keeping them competitive as they are in the SEC.”

chloe-peterson@uiowa.edu

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 7

GO HAWKS!

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8 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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CITRUS BOWL: IOW

HAWKEYES

Diante Vines Aaron Blom Nolan Donald Ryan Gersonde Cooper DeJean Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Dane Belton Leshon Williams Jestin Jacobs Joey Labas Keagan Johnson Reggie Bracy Spencer Petras Matt Hankins Alex Padilla Tory Taylor Arland Bruce IV Caleb Shudak AJ Lawson Jaxon Rexroth Joe Evans Henry Marchese Brody Brecht Dallas Craddieth Jamison Heinz Charlie Jones Brenden Deasfernandes Max White Austin Spiewak Alec Wick Gaven Cooke Max Cooper Deavin Hilson Thomas Hartlieb Ivory Kelly-Martin Terry Roberts Xavior Williams Kelby Telander Gavin Williams Kaevon Merriweather Jermari Harris Jack Johnson Jack Koerner Sebastian Castro Jackson Ritter Quinn Schulte Jack Campbell Eli Miller Johnny Plewa Riley Moss Zach Brand Jay Higgins Justice Sullivan Mike Timm Kyler Fisher Monte Pottebaum Eric Epenesa Turner Pallissard Josef Smith Jaden Harrell

WR K WR P DB WR DB RB LB QB WR DB QB DB QB P WR K DB DB DE DB WR DB DB WR DB RB LS WR DB WR RB DB RB DB DB LB RB DB DB WR DB DB WR DB LB LB FB DB RB LB LB LB DB FB LB FB LB LB

6-0 5-11 5-9 6-4 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-1 6-4 5-10 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-2

193 190 194 197 203 201 205 205 236 194 197 206 233 185 197 231 193 178 192 193 248 199 205 205 205 188 189 187 237 180 189 191 192 195 200 180 192 208 211 211 185 193 204 204 214 201 243 212 235 194 198 227 233 233 225 246 189 245 221 231

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Danbury, CT Oskaloosa, IA Morton, IL Milwaukee, WI Odebolt, IA Indianapolis, IN Tampa, FL Chicago, IL Englewood, OH Brecksville, OH Bellevue, NE Mobile, AL San Rafael, CA Lewisville, TX Greenwood Village, CO Melbourne, Australia Olathe, KS Council Bluffs, IA Decatur, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Ames, IA Vernon Hills, IL Ankeny, IA St. Louis, MO Humboldt, IA Deerfield, IL Belleville, MI Cedar Rapids, IA Rolling Meadows, IL Iowa City, IA Kentfield, CA Waukesha, WI Des Moines, IA Madison, WI Plainfield, IL Erie, PA Burlington, IA North Liberty, IA Altoona, IA Belleville, MI Chicago, IL West Des Moines, IA Des Moines, IA Oak Lawn, IL Frankfort, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Falls, IA Sedalia, CO Franklin, WI Ankeny, IA Grimes, IA Indianapolis, IN Eden Prairie, MN Delafield, WI Farnhamville, IA Larchwood, IA Glen Carbon, IL Frankfort, IL Britt, IA Urbandale, IA

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Denin Limouris Zach Twedt Karson Sharar Seth Benson Luke Elkin Deontae Craig Nick Phelps Logan Klemp Wyatt Wegener Max Llewellyn Bryce Schulte Ethan Hurkett Andrew Lentsch Zach Kluver Louie Stec Jeremiah Pittman Asher Fahey Michael Myslinski Matt Fagan Luke Empen Nick DeJong Clayton Thurm Taylor Fox Griffin Liddle Justin Britt Kyler Schott Tyler Linderbaum Jeremy Chaplin Gennings Dunker Tyler Endres Beau Stephens Cody Ince David Davidkov Josh Volk Tyler Elsbury Connor Colby Mason Richman Jack Plumb Brennan Sweeney Desmond Hutson Johnny Pascuzzi Jameson Witte Sam LaPorta Luke Lachey Logan Lee Jeff Bowie Tommy Kujawa Elijah Yelverton Isaiah Bruce Jackson Frericks Nico Ragaini Lukas Van Ness John Waggoner Yahya Black Logan Jones Lucas Amaya Liam Reardon Zach VanValkenburg Chris Reames Noah Shannon

TE/FB LB LB LB LS DL P LB LB DL TE DL TE LS DT DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DE WR TE DL TE TE DL DL TE TE DL TE WR DL DL DL DL K LS DL DL DL

6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-6 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-7 6-0

227 229 201 229 200 263 205 234 212 232 245 261 227 199 264 303 281 278 287 289 292 281 290 267 302 294 290 268 291 295 300 282 286 308 301 298 296 296 243 208 224 265 249 248 277 268 236 248 281 229 191 264 266 287 282 207 218 267 270 289

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Glen Ellyn, IL Story City, IA Iowa Falls, IA Sioux Falls, SD Neenah, WI Fort Wayne, IN Kingsley, IA Jewell, IA Algona, IA Urbandale, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Rapids, IA West Des Moines, IA Ankeny, IA LaGrange Park, IL Palatine, IL Waukon, IA Jacksonville, FL Council Bluffs, IA Clinton, IA Pella, IA Williamsburg, IA Winthrop, IA Bettendorf, IA Indianapolis, IN Coggon, IA Solon, IA Waverly, IA Lena, IA Norwalk, IA Blue Springs, MO Luck, WI Glenview, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Byron, IL Cedar Rapids, IA Leawood, KS Green Bay, WI Waukon, IA Raytown, MO Olathe, KS O’Fallon, MO Highland, IL Columbus, OH Orion, IL West Branch, IA Greendale, WI Royse City, TX Lena, IL Cedar Falls, IA East Haven, CT Barrington, IL Des Moines, IA Marshall, MN Council Bluffs, IA Muskego, WI Chicago, IL Zeeland, MI Van Meter, IA Aurora, IL

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 9

WA vs.

KENTUCKY

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Kavosiey Smoke Wan'Dale Robinson Dekel Crowdus Cedrick Dort Jr. Josh Paschal Michael Drennen II DeAndre Square Josh Ali Jared Casey Will Levis Vito Tisdale Octavious Oxendine Davonte Robinson Chauncey Magwood Jacquez Jones Beau Allen Moses Douglass Kaiya Sheron Chance Poore Earnest Sanders IV J.J. Weaver Carrington Valentine Patrick Delahunty Jordan Wright Nik Scalzo JuTahn McClain Clevan Thomas Jr. Rahsaan Lewis Quandre Mosely Chris Oats Tyrell Ajian Chris Rodriguez Jr. Zac Berezowitz Jordan Lovett Torrance Davis Joel Williams Zach Johnson La'Vell Wright Yusuf Corker Taj Dodson Darren Edmond Maxwell Hairston Tyler Markray Trevin Wallace Travis Tisdale Ben Drake Trey Dennis Jalen Geiger Kaleb Cheek Rickey Hyatt Jr. Jai Williams Adrian Huey Luke Leeper Andru Phillips William Nalty Dillon Wheatley Austin Gough Luke Fulton Marquez Bembry Darren Green

WILDCATS

RB WR WR DB DE WR LB WR LB QB S DT DB WR LB QB DB QB K WR LB DB QB LB QB RB WR WR DB LB DB RB DB DB RB DB DB RB DB DB WR DB RB LB RB DB WR DB WR DB TE DB WR DB LB FB LB LB LB LB

5-9 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-5 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-9 6-1 5-8 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-5 6-0 5-11 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1

201 185 180 182 278 190 224 193 221 232 200 318 213 180 235 207 199 210 208 216 241 200 198 233 195 187 193 180 185 232 190 224 178 195 220 204 193 202 197 198 195 170 220 220 173 199 150 200 190 203 205 180 196 180 220 211 208 230 232 218

Jr Jr Fr Sr Sr Fr Sr Sr Soph Jr Soph Soph Sr Fr Sr Soph Soph Fr Jr #Fr Soph Soph Jr Jr Soph Soph Sr Jr Sr Jr Sr Jr Sr Fr Soph Soph Sr Fr Sr Soph Sr Fr Jr Fr Soph Jr Fr Soph Soph #Fr Fr Fr Soph #Fr Sr Sr Fr Soph Jr Soph

Wetumpka, AL Frankfort, KY Lexington, KY West Palm Beach, FL Olney, MD Dublin, OH Detroit, MI Hollywood, FL Louisville, KY Madison, CT Bowling Green, KY Radcliff, KY Lexington, KY Leesburg, GA Tuscaloosa, AL Lexington, KY Springfield, OH Somerset, KY Anderson, SC Beecher, MI Louisville, KY Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Fort Lauderdale, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL Fairfield, OH Miami, FL Orlando, FL Brunswick, GA Cincinnati, OH Mansfield, OH McDonough, GA Lexington, KY Radcliff, KY Cleveland, OH Baton Rouge, LA Cincinnati, OH Louisville, KY McDonough, GA Unity Grove, GA Norman, OK West Bloomfield, MI West Bloomfield, MI Jesup, GA Valdosta, GA Charlottesville, VA Lexington, KY Columbia, SC Asheboro, NC Columbus, OH Lake Forest, IL Nashville, TN Louisville, KY Mauldin, SC Metairie, LA Richmond, KY Owensboro, KY Youngstown, OH Stone Mountain, GA Vine Grove, KY

44 45 45 46 46 47 48 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 55 56 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 94 95 96 96 97 98 99

Martez Thrower Jase Bruner Parker Estes Braxton Eiserman Cade Degraw K.D. McDaniel Jack Varga Cody Goatley Marquan McCall Dare Rosenthal Justin Rogers Reuben Adams Jordan Morrow Justice Dingle Clay Perry Deondre Buford D'Eryk Jackson Jonathan Berry Lucas Padgett Conner Long Quintin Wilson Austin Dotson Jager Burton Alex Bascom Richard Bascom Naasir Watkins Paul Rodriguez Kenneth Horsey Collin Hartmann Darian Kinnard John Young Josh Jones David Wohlabaugh Jr. Eli Cox Jake Pope Jeremy Flax Luke Fortner Brenden Bates Isaiah Epps Tae Tae Crumes Justin Rigg Izayah Cummings Jordan Dingle DeMarcus Harris Tre'Von Morgan Keaton Upshaw Chris Lewis Tre'Vonn Rybka Sam Anaele Kahlil Saunders Wilson Berry Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald Colin Goodfellow Jamarius Dinkins Isaiah Gibson Matt Ruffolo Graham Wald Isaiah Beasley Josaih Hayes

LB LB TE LB LS LB FB LB NT OL DL OL LS LB LS T LB OL OL LB C G OL DT DT T OL G DE T T OL OL G T OL G TE WR WR TE WR TE WR WR TE WR DL DE DL P DT P DT DE K K DL DL

6-2 6-2 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-7 6-6 6-6 6-5 6-2 6-1 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-5 6-3 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-3

212 232 212 212 210 250 235 218 379 327 336 330 224 262 203 295 245 280 320 210 294 313 280 272 269 305 330 300 262 345 302 336 290 293 291 356 300 255 189 192 263 228 235 183 218 245 190 310 275 270 193 296 233 255 302 205 170 262 314

Fr Soph Fr Jr Jr Soph Jr Soph Sr Jr Soph #Fr Jr Jr Soph #Fr Soph Fr Fr Fr Jr Sr Fr Jr Jr Sr Fr Jr Sr Sr #Fr #Fr Fr Soph Soph Soph Sr Jr Sr Soph Sr Soph Fr Soph Soph Jr Fr #Fr #Fr Fr Fr Sr Sr Fr Soph Sr Soph Soph Soph

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10 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 11

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa defensive back Dane Belton tackles Indiana running back Stephen Carr for a loss during a football game between Iowa and Indiana at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 4. Belton will play near his Tampa, Florida, home in the Citrus Bowl.

Citrus Bowl a homecoming game for Belton Dane Belton is returning to his home state of Florida for Iowa’s Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl matchup with Kentucky.

Austin Hanson Sports Editor Dane Belton has been on the precipice of playing a game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, multiple times in the last eight years.

The junior defensive back for the Hawkeyes grew up in Tampa, Florida, just 90 miles from the venue. The trip from Jesuit High School — Belton’s alma mater — to Camping World Stadium is one hour and 30 minutes.

Camping World Stadium hosted the Florida State High School Football Championship Game when Belton was at Jesuit.

During Belton’s tenure with the Tigers, he almost

got to make the 90-minute trip from Tampa to Orlando for the state championship game on three occasions. The Tigers were eliminated from the playoffs in the semifinal round three times in Belton’s four years at Jesuit. So, he never got his shot to play at Camping World Stadium — until now.

Belton will finally get his chance to play at Camping World Stadium as No. 15 Iowa takes on No. 22 Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.

“It’s a great opportunity, being able to play anywhere close to home,” Belton said of Iowa’s upcoming appearance in Florida. “[Tampa] is like an hour and a half from Orlando, very close. I definitely

have been getting hit up [for tickets]. My mom talked to me about it . . . She was just talking about how a lot of people are trying to come, so be ready for that.

“We’ll handle that when the time comes.”

Belton led the Big Ten Conference with five interceptions this season. His teammate, senior cornerback and Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, Riley Moss, ranked second in the league with four picks.

Iowa’s defense led the nation with 24 interceptions in 13 games this year.

“We’ve always known that [Dane] has some type of greatness in him,” Danny Belton said of his son. “It’s one of those

things where it’s manifesting itself last year and this year. We’re actually seeing the fruits of his labor.”

Statistically, 2021 has been Dane’s best season as a Hawkeye. He’s recorded 43 tackles along with his five interceptions.

He’s also registered three tackles for loss and 12 pass deflections.

Before the 2021 season began, Pro Football Network projected Dane to be a fifth-round draft pick. Now, nearly five months later, he might have a chance to achieve his dream and play in the National Football League.

“It was his dream since he was in high school,” Danny said.“But once he started getting close, he realized it could be more of a reality than just a dream . . . Once he got to his freshman year, he

was like, ‘Dad, remember that dream? It’s going to be a reality.’

He told me that, straight up, just like that.

“He was like, ‘I don’t know when or where,’” Danny added. “‘It may be a matter of time, but that’s what it’s gonna be because I can feel it when I go to practices, when [coaches] instruct me, when they yell at me for messing up a play or whatever.’”

Danny added that his son is on the fence about turning pro or coming back to the UI for the 2022 season.

Dane has tabled any decision-making he’ll need to do — for now. And while he is interested in undergoing the NFL evaluation process, he’ll compete in the Citrus Bowl before he proceeds any

further.

“To be honest, I haven’t really given it much thought,” Dane said of the NFL Draft evaluation process. “I was just focused on the season.

If I have an opportunity to see the evaluation, I might explore that. It can’t hurt. At the end of the day, my focus is on this last game we have together as a team. That’s just what I’m thinking right now.

“That time will come,” Dane added. “There’s a time and place for everything. I feel like, right now, we have a great opportunity at our hands, and to capitalize on that is what my mind is on.”

austin-hanson@uiowa.edu

12 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Iowa football notebook | Bowl game edition The Hawkeyes have not named their starting QB for the Citrus Bowl and will be without starting RB Tyler Goodson.

Robert Read Pregame Editor Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has not named a starting quarterback for the Citrus Bowl, nor has he indicated if Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla will both see snaps against Kentucky.

Petras started nine games during the regular season, all eight of Iowa’s games in 2020, and the Big Ten Championship Game. Petras suffered a torso injury in the first half against Michigan. Alex Padilla, who has started three games for Iowa this year, relieved Petras in the third quarter against the Wolverines. A depth chart for the Citrus Bowl has not been released yet. Despite not naming a starter, Ferentz did say he expects Petras to be healthy enough to play in the Citrus Bowl.

“He had a tough night [against Michigan],” Ferentz said. “There was some discomfort. As far as I understand right now, there’s really – nothing is in danger, no organs, anything like that.

He took a pretty good shot. It wasn’t to the head. He took a shot. He at least strained some stuff in his abdominal area. So, he’s going to be fine, but he’s in discomfort here and probably will be for a while.”

Petras has completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,669 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions this season.

Padilla, a redshirt sophomore, is completing 49.1 percent of his throws for 636 yards and has tossed two touchdowns and two picks this season.

reps as a competitor. I know that feeling. I’ve been in that position.”

Linderbaum, Belton not opting out

Jerod Ringwald/The Daily Iowan Iowa running back Tyler Goodson shushes the Iowa State student section after scoring a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Sept. 11. Goodson declared for the NFL Draft and will not play in the Citrus Bowl.

An update on Iowa’s running backs room Iowa’s 123rd-ranked offense will head into the Citrus Bowl without its leading rusher.

Junior running back Tyler Goodson announced on Dec. 10 that he is declaring for the NFL Draft and will not play in the Citrus Bowl against Kentucky. Goodson, Iowa’s leading rusher in each of the last three seasons, ran for a team-leading 1,151 yards this year, the 10th-best sin-

gle-season mark in program history.

“I will forever consider myself a Hawkeye and look forward to making my family, friends, and Hawkeye Nation proud at the next level,” Goodson said in a statement.

With Goodson’s departure, only four running backs remain on Iowa’s roster: Senior Ivory Kelly-Martin, redshirt freshmen Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams, and true freshman Deavin Hilson. Collectively, they will try to make up for the production of a play-

er who started the last 25 games in the backfield for the Hawkeyes. Kelly-Martin missed the last month of the regular season with a foot injury, but he played on special teams against Michigan. The fifth-year senior has been plagued by fumbling issues throughout the season. He lost the ball twice against Kent State and has not recorded a rushing attempt since fumbling against Wisconsin on Oct. 30. Gavin Williams has slid into Iowa’s No. 2 running back role in Kelly-Martin’s

absence. He is Iowa’s second-leading rusher this season (207 yards) and led Iowa with 56 yards against Michigan. Leshon Williams has only touched the ball 11 times this season, gaining 27 yards.

“The two young guys in the room are very talented,” running backs coach Ladell Betts said of both Gavin and Leshon in September. “I think people will be pleasantly surprised when they get a chance to watch both of them play. I’m sure it’s tough for them not to get

Goodson appears to be the only Hawkeye who opted to not make the trip to Orlando, Florida. Center Tyler Linderbaum and defensive back Dane Belton both plan to play in the Citrus Bowl, they said on Dec. 5. Linderbaum, a redshirt junior, is a projected first-round NFL draft pick and was recently named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, the Rimington Award winner, and a firstteam All-American. Linderbaum quickly shut down any possibility that he would opt out of the bowl game to pursue his NFL career early.

“Yeah, dumb question,” Linderbaum said with a smirk to a reporter. Linderbaum and Belton both said they have not explored receiving NFL feedback yet, which would indicate where they might go in the 2022 NFL Draft. Belton, a junior, is coming off a first-team All-Big Ten season and leads the conference in interceptions with five.

“To be honest, I haven’t really given it much thought,” Belton said. “... At the end of the day, my focus is on this last game we have together as a team. “

robert-read@uiowa.edu

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 13

Hawkeyes prepped for Levis at QB Iowa will see a familiar opponent in former Penn State quarterback Will Levis, who is now the starting QB at Kentucky.

Chloe Peterson Assistant Sports Editor The Iowa football team will take on Kentucky for the first time in program history in this year’s Citrus Bowl. But it won’t be the Hawkeyes’ first time seeing Wildcat quarterback Will Levis.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz recruited the class of 2018 quarterback — the same recruiting class as current Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras — out of Connecticut before Levis eventually committed to start his college career at Penn State.

“We were the first Power Five school to offer him,” Ferentz said. “We offered him a couple of Junes ago.

He came to camp. He was a guy our quarterback coach, Ken O’Keefe, really liked.

He came out, came to camp.

There was no question in our mind he was going to be a good college football player.

“Unfortunately, another school came in that was a little more prestigious than us a couple weeks later. That was the end of that relationship. We did get to see him a little bit. Will is a tremendous football player. He’s done a great job. I hadn’t seen film but just followed and read articles and that type of thing. I know he’s done a great job for Kentucky. I’m not surprised.

He’s a first-class young man.”

Levis started playing organized football in his freshman year at Xavier

High School in Connecticut, as the private school he attended through eighth grade did not offer football.

Ahead of his senior season of high school, Levis ended up with six Power Five offers from Syracuse, Florida State, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Penn State, and Iowa.

“I don’t know if I’d be here right now if that hadn’t happened,” Levis told Kentucky.com of the offer from Iowa. “They were right at the top of my list until the very end. I had to make a choice between them and Penn State, those were my final two picks. I went with Penn State, but Iowa’s a great place. I loved it and have all the respect in the world for coach Ferentz.”

Penn State offered Levis on July 15, 2017, and he committed to the Nittany Lions the same day.

Levis was a Nittany Lion for three seasons. He redshirted his first season in 2018 and played behind Penn State QB Sean Clifford in 2019 and 2020.

While at Penn State, he appeared in 15 games with two starts when the Nittany Lions ran a two-quarterback offense. Levis saw ample time on the field against the Hawkeyes in Iowa’s 41-21 victory over Penn State in the 2020 season.

Levis went 13-of-16 for 106 yards against the Hawkeyes in 2020. He also accumulated 34 rushing yards, leading the Nittany

Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) hurdles Tennessee defense for a first down during an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.

Lions in that game. Levis entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of the 2020 season to look for an opportunity to be a full-time starter. He found one at Kentucky. Levis has thrown for 2,593 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first season with the Wildcats while leading Kentucky to a 9-3 record.

Iowa junior defensive back Dane Belton said Levis

is known for being a running quarterback. Levis had 473 rushing yards and six touchdowns in two seasons at Penn State.

Levis has 387 rushing yards and nine touchdowns through his first 12 games at Kentucky.

“He was a tough guy,” Belton said. “They used him in the run game a lot. Little scheme plays and things like that. We’ll have to be ready

for that. He commands the offense well. He can toss the ball around a little bit. He runs and has an extra blocker. We’ll have to be physical, like we pride ourselves on, and just go from there. I feel like we might incorporate a lot of things that we did against him at Penn State.

Also, he has a new coordinator, so we’ll have to do some new things as well. Overall, he’s a great player.”

Iowa ranks 13th in the country in rush defense, allowing an average of 113.8 yards per game. Levis’ season-high in rushing yards as a Wildcat is 113 yards, a feat he accomplished against Louisville on Nov. 27.

Levis and the Wildcats will take on the Hawkeyes on Jan. 1 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

chloe-peterson@uiowa.edu

14 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021

ROBERT READ

PREGAME EDITOR (38-27)

VS.

KENTUCKY

Iowa’s offense is not good, son.

IOWA STATE

AUSTIN HANSON SPORTS EDITOR (41-24)

KENTUCKY

I just want to be in Hlastrodamus.

IOWA STATE

VS.

Can’t wait for the Matt Campbell Cheez-It bath.

VS.

What a luxury to have Bob Stoops on retainer.

Good riddance, Rattler.

MICHIGAN STATE

MICHIGAN STATE

VS.

OKLAHOMA

I hope Kenny Pickett plays in this game.

TEXAS A&M

VS.

Exactly the type of game Jimbo Fisher is being paid to be in.

VS.

Yes, Cincinnati deserves to be here.

VS.

Georgia is much better than Iowa.

ALABAMA

GEORGIA

NOTRE DAME

VS.

Is Notre Dame becoming... likeable?

VS.

Block Urban Meyer’s number right now.

VS.

I just wanted Lane Kiffin to go back to USC.

OHIO STATE

OLE MISS

Iowa State’s opponent is cooler than Iowa’s.

OKLAHOMA

No Heisman for Kenny Pick-off.

TEXAS A&M

Wake Forest isn’t known for sports.

ALABAMA

These wheels keep on turning.

MICHIGAN

The Harboys are back.

NOTRE DAME

I like Brian Kelly’s new accent.

OHIO STATE

Will Iowa ever play in this game again?

OLE MISS

I feel rebellious.

CHLOE PETERSON

CHRIS WERNER

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR (35-30)

FOOTBALL REPORTER (33-32)

KENTUCKY

KENTUCKY

CLEMSON

IOWA STATE

Why not, ya know?

I’m just here for Prince Cheddward.

OREGON

I finally did it.

I like Cheez-Its.

OKLAHOMA

DESTINEE COOK

DITV SPORTS DIRECTOR (35-30)

IOWA

Even with no offense, they will beat Kentucky.

CLEMSON

I like Clemson. No reason why.

OKLAHOMA

JOHN BOHNENKAMP

SPORTS WRITING COACH (40-25)

IOWA

Won’t make a backup QB joke here.

CLEMSON

Won’t make a “Orlando will be out of Busch Light” joke here.

OKLAHOMA

“I’m not going to be the next head coach at LSU.” - Lincoln Riley.

I picked Oregon last week. Didn’t go well.

Lincoln Riley, you will not be missed.

Two teams who lost their coach. I will make that joke.

PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH

MICHIGAN STATE

MICHIGAN STATE

WAKE FOREST

WAKE FOREST

This matchup would be ~peachy~.

I think you could find gators more in a forest than in Texas.

ALABAMA

I wish I could pick Cincinnati.

MICHIGAN

Down with the dawgs.

NOTRE DAME

Marcus Freeman hasn’t coached a game, but I already love him.

OHIO STATE

Utah can beat Oregon, and that’s about it.

BAYLOR

Deuce Hogan’s next landing spot.

Kenny Pickett for Heisman.

Sam Hartman for Heisman.

ALABAMA

Justice for Kenneth Walker III.

TEXAS A&M

Remember when A&M beat Bama? That was cool.

CINCINNATI

The world isn’t ready for undefeated Cincy, sorry Shivansh.

I’m picking Cincy for fun and I’m bored.

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN

Send condolences to @SkinnyKenny_.

OKLAHOMA ST.

“I’m a man, I’m 40.” I’m actually 21 but I like this quote.

OHIO STATE

Should’ve been a rematch with Michigan in Indy.

BAYLOR

Miss is too old.

GO BLUE.

NOTRE DAME

Brian Kelly will also not be missed.

OHIO STATE

Michigan beat Ohio State.

OLE MISS

Hotty toddy mood I guess.

Mel Tucker will get an even newer contract.

WAKE FOREST

Did anyone watch the ACC Championship Game?

ALABAMA

Reality sets in for the Bearcats.

GEORGIA

All of those extra TDs in Indy won’t carry over.

NOTRE DAME

They’re better off without Brian Kelly.

OHIO STATE

Nice consolation prize for the Buckeyes.

BAYLOR

Won’t make any joke here, because Baylor is never funny.

JASON BRUMMOND PUBLISHER (44-21)

IOWA

Hawkeyes (need to) break out all of their offensive tricks.

CLEMSON

Cyclones should celebrate this winning season.

OKLAHOMA

Looking for homes in Norman? Contact USC.

PITTSBURGH

Pickett’s fake slide seals the win.

TEXAS A&M

ACC just skipped to basketball season this year.

ALABAMA

Cincy makes it a game.

GEORGIA

DAWGS want a rematch with Bama.

NOTRE DAME

Brian Kelly’s former “family” is doing just fine.

OHIO STATE

This might be the best bowl matchup.

BAYLOR

Ole Miss comes up about a foot short.

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 15

I finally get to rank the teams!

AUSTIN HANSON

austin-hanson@uiowa.edu

WEST VIRGINIA vs. MINNESOTA

1

michigan

Iowa fans have no reason to contest this ranking.

2

ohio state

3

michigan state

4

Isn’t the Big Ten runner up supposed to be in the Rose Bowl?

The Big Ten runner up should be in a NY6 bowl, right?

IOWA

Somehow, this team is the Big Ten’s runner up.

8 9

Guaranteed Rate Bowl | Dec. 28 | 9:15 p.m.

So sad to see David Bell go ... jk.

Illinois

Give the 5-7 Illini a bowl, cowards.

Watch out for the Huskers next year.

maryland

Line: MINN -4.0 | O/U: 45.0

I would like to take this time to thank Minnesota for giving me the opportunity to cover a B1G Championship Game.

6 7

Minnesota

Kinda wish Minnesota had just lost to Wisconsin in Week 13.

Wisconsin

I guess Wisconsin is the third-best team in the West.

Pinstripe Bowl | Dec. 29 | 1:15 p.m.

Line: MD -1.0 | O/U: 55.0

I don’t know how Maryland is favored to win this game. The Terrapins lost to every ranked opponent they played by 19+ points.

PURDUE vs. TENNESSEE

Music City Bowl | Dec. 30 | 2 p.m.

penn state

I will once again say, “We are Penn State” is so cool.

“Together, Rutgers will be No. 1.” — Greg Schiano circa 2019.

14

Orange Bowl (CFP) | Dec. 31 | 6:30 p.m.

Line: GA -7.5 | O/U: 43.5

This may just be because I watched it beat Iowa to a pulp, but I like Michigan to win it all this year.

PENN ST. vs. No. 21 ARKANSAS Outback Bowl | Jan. 1 | 11 a.m.

Yes, the Terrapins are bowl eligible.

12 rutgers 13

Line: WISC -7.0 | O/U: 42.0

Never thought I’d say this, but I think Wisconsin was the third-best team in the Big Ten West this year. Refreshing.

MARYLAND vs. VIRGINIA TECH No. 2 MICHIGAN vs. No. 3 GEORGIA

Line: TENN -4.5 | O/U: 63.0

5

Las Vegas Bowl | Dec. 30 | 9:30 p.m.

purdue

10 nebraska 11

WISCONSIN vs. ARIZONA STATE

northwestern

The Wildcats will probably win the Big Ten West in 2022.

indiana

I still want Mike Penix to come to Iowa.

Remember when Iowa was going to play Missouri in this bowl a year ago? Crazy times. Life comes at you fast.

No. 10 MSU vs. No. 12 PITT Peach Bowl | Dec. 30 | 6 p.m.

Line: MSU -1.5 | O/U: 60.0

This is a New Year’s Six Bowl, and as of Dec. 11, tickets to this game are available for $21.

Line: PSU -2.0 | O/U: 46.5

It’s always refreshing to see teams other than Iowa play in this game.

No. 15 IOWA vs. No. 22 KENTUCKY Citrus Bowl | Jan. 1 | 12 p.m.

Line: KY -3.0 | O/U: 44.0

This is a cool bowl game, but it seems like a consolation prize when the Rose Bowl or CFP seemd to be on the table earlier this year.

No. 6 OHIO STATE vs. No. 11 UTAH Rose Bowl | Jan. 1 | 4 p.m. |

Line: OSU -6.5 | O/U: 65

The loser of the B1GCG traditionally plays in this bowl when it isn’t part of the CFP, just sayin’.

16 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Wednesday, December 15, 2021

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