The Gators were rolling along with freshman quarterback Chris Leak, cranking out win after win and building confidence until they ran into the Seminoles. In one Fall Saturday, the confidence built up by winning five games in a row may have been tossed in the can when they allowed the Seminoles to come from behind and beat them at the end of the game. Florida's confidence was fragile to begin with and now that loss to their rival may have allowed doubt to creep back into their minds. Florida St. comes in with the weaker defense and weaker running as well as the worst record but yet they are favorites. This is bad news for a young football team with a freshman quarterback playing a bowl vs. a solid team. Over Florida's last five games, their defense got progressively worst giving up more points with each contest. Iowa will zero in on some specific areas and have some success. I don't know that Florida, who allows 151 yards rushing per game, will be able to do enough against the Iowa run game to control their offense.
Iowa is the forgotten team. This team had just one loss a year ago and after losing their Heisman Trophy runner up quarterback, all eyes turned elsewhere in the Big-10. Despite that, the Hawkeyes still pushed out a 9-3 season and no one is really talking about them. This team is prepared to let their play do the talking for them in this bowl game. Iowa doesn't feel like they are getting enough respect and they are wondering why they are underdogs in this contest when they finished with the better record. This has helped them prepare for this game with more focus and intensity and I think that will reveal itself on the field. Iowa's strong running game with tailback Fred Russell will set up the rest of their offense and keep them flowing along. Iowa's rush defense allows less than 100 yards per game and if they can bottle up Florida's ground game, which I think they can, Chris Leak is going to have a hard time getting into a rhythm in this contest. Take Iowa in this one and also take the under as I think Iowa's defense will be a bit stronger than Florida expected.
Iowa is the forgotten team. This team had just one loss a year ago and after losing their Heisman Trophy runner up quarterback, all eyes turned elsewhere in the Big-10. Despite that, the Hawkeyes still pushed out a 9-3 season and no one is really talking about them. This team is prepared to let their play do the talking for them in this bowl game. Iowa doesn't feel like they are getting enough respect and they are wondering why they are underdogs in this contest when they finished with the better record. This has helped them prepare for this game with more focus and intensity and I think that will reveal itself on the field. Iowa's strong running game with tailback Fred Russell will set up the rest of their offense and keep them flowing along. Iowa's rush defense allows less than 100 yards per game and if they can bottle up Florida's ground game, which I think they can, Chris Leak is going to have a hard time getting into a rhythm in this contest. Take Iowa in this one and also take the under as I think Iowa's defense will be a bit stronger than Florida expected.
