Hawkeyes and Cyclones Learn Their Bowl Game Destinations

The Iowa State Cyclones had a chance to be playing for a whole lot more than a bowl game this season. But a loss in the Big 12 Championship Game relegated the Cyclones into a non-playoff bowl game. The Iowa Hawkeye football team faced a similar fate. Both teams learned where they would play their final game of the college season on Sunday.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the 18th-ranked Cyclones will be taking on the #15 Miami Hurricanes on December 28th in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The game will be played in Orlando, Florida at 2:30 p.m. and televised by ABC. The Gazette reports that the two teams have never met each other before. Both teams narrowly missed out on the playoff, with Miami losing to Syracuse in its regular season finale. The Cyclones won't have to face Miami quarterback Cam Ward who has declared for the NFL Draft. The Gazette reports that it is unclear if any Cyclones will sit out the bowl game.

Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Iowa Hawkeye football team will be traveling to a familiar bowl game destination. Shine up your boots, cause the Hawkeyes are headed back to Nashville!

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Iowa will take on Missouri in the Music City Bowl on December 30th in Nashville. The game will have a 1:30 p.m. kickoff and be televised by ESPN. The Hawkeyes shut out Kentucky 21-0 in the 2022 Music City Bowl. It is Iowa's 22nd bowl game under head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Missouri comes into the bowl game at 9-3 and ranked #19 in the nation. Iowa has a record of 8-4. Opt-outs could play a role in this game too. The Gazette reports that Iowa's star running back Kaleb Johnson has already declared for the NFL Draft and will not play. Missouri star wide receiver Luther Burden has also declared for the NFL as has Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou.

Getty Images

The question for many of these teams attending bowl games NOT in the College Football Playoff is how many really want to be there? The coaching staff that can get their players excited to play should have an edge.