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Big Ten Bowl Preview: Outback Bowl

By Barry Leonard Jr.

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Logos decorate the field before the Florida Gators play against the Penn State Nittany Lions January 1, 2011 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Logos decorate the field before the Florida Gators play against the Penn State Nittany Lions January 1, 2011 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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An interesting matchup awaits in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day

Though it doesn’t have the luster that it used to thanks to the numerous bowl games and the College Football Playoff, New Year’s Day is still a big day for college football. The first game of the day pits two teams with identical 8-4 records facing off in the Outback Bowl.

Iowa, representing the Big Ten Conference, will take on the SEC’s Mississippi State.

Penn State fans could have an interest in this game, as Iowa is a familiar foe of the Nittany Lions, and Mississippi State is coached by former Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead.

Anyone looking for a game featuring a ton of offense will want to shy away from the Outback Bowl though, since Iowa and Mississippi State feature two of the top defenses in the entire country.

Iowa finished the regular season ranked 11th in the nation with an average of just 19 points allowed per game. They came in at No. 7 with 290 yards allowed per contest. Defensive end Anthony Nelson is a beast for the Hawkeyes and a player that must be watched. During the regular season he racked up 41 total tackles, including a team-high nine sacks.

GAME: Outback Bowl 
LOCATION: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
TEAMS: Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4), No. 18 Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4)
DATE: 01/01/19
TIME: 12:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN2

The strength of the Iowa defense is its defensive backfield. Jake Gervase, Amani Hooker, and Geno Stone combined for 11 interceptions. Gervase and Hooker led the team in total tackles with 77 and 59 respectively.

On offense, the Hawkeyes will rely on quarterback Nathan Stanley. The junior threw for 2,638 yards this season with 23 touchdowns. Stanley’s favorite target is star tight end Noah Fant, who had 518 receiving yards and a team-high seven touchdown catches.

Mekhi Sargent leads the way in the ground game with 748 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Like Iowa, Mississippi State leans on its strong defense. The Bulldogs ranked No. 3 this season with an average of 268 yards allowed per game. As for points allowed, the Bulldogs led FBS during the regular season, giving up a stingy 12 points per game.

Defensive back Johnathan Abram is one player to watch on the defensive side for the Bulldogs. He led the team this season with 93 total tackles and also recorded two interceptions. Defensive lineman Montez Sweat racked up 11.5 sacks during the regular season and will command a lot of attention from Iowa’s offensive line.

The Mississippi State offense runs through quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. Much like Trace McSorley at Penn State, Fitzgerald flourished as a dual-threat quarterback under Joe Moorhead. Fitzgerald threw for 1,018 yards with 15 touchdowns. He was the team’s leading rusher with 1,018 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

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Unfortunately for the Bulldog’s there is little help on offense outside of Fitzgerald. If they are gong to have success, it will likely be on the ground. Running backs Kylin Hill and Aeris Williams both rushed for over 500 yards and combined for seven touchdowns.

If you like defensive battles, the Outback Bowl will be the game for you.

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