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TAXSLAYER BOWL GAMEDAY INP: IOWA HAWKEYES VS TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

The calendar has turned to 2015 for Hawkeye Athletics.

By PlannedSickDays

GAMEDAY. It's here. Today. 2:20 pm CT. ESPN.

EXPECT A SOLID CROWD. Also, expect a majority of that crowd to be in Orange.

THE WEATHER.Thanks to.

weather

THE SPREAD. Thanks to.

tax spread

TENNESSEE IS THE FAVORITE, SO HOW DO THEY WIN? Rocky Top Insider has the blueprint to beat Iowa. Lot's of "should" and "probably." Sounds easy.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones compares Iowa to, wait for it, Alabama. Okay, so not talent-wise but style of play. Well, maybe talent along the offensive line. Iowa is big and physical. We know that. When Iowa and Wisconsin squared off in Kinnick Stadium ESPN had NFL Draft guru Todd McShay on the sideline. He reported to Chris Spielman in the booth that the play on the field from his vantage point was the most physical of any game he'd seen all season. Tennessee better come prepared.

TENNESSEE WILL PRESENT A CHALLENGE FOR IOWA'S DEFENSE. While down in terms of offensive production statistically, the Tennessee offensive is evolving with quarterback Joshua Dobbs taking over mid-season. Dobbs has almost 400 rushing yards in his five starts at QB. Iowa's struggled with QBs that can run. Phil Parker has had plenty of time to prepare and he will have some new looks for the Vols.

KIRK FERENTZ WANTS TO WIN THIS "BADLY." For Iowa's seniors, this is a final shot at making a memory. Nobody wants to remember a three game skid to end their career. For Iowa's head coach,"it's not so much about next year, it's about finishing for our 16 seniors. It's important that we play well this game."

PREDICTIONS. Over at the 24/7 Tennessee blog, they have the Vols winning this one. No surprise. Our own Mr Morehouse thinks differently. He has Iowa 34-21. I agree with Mas Casa. I say Iowa 34-17.

TWITTER LIST.

OTHER LINKS.

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