For the seventh time under head coach Kirk Ferentz, the Iowa football team is heading south to Tampa, Florida, for the ReliaQuest Bowl, per an announcement from multiple national media outlets on Sunday. On3’s Brett McMurphy reported Iowa would be participating in the game on Saturday afternoon, and it was formally announced the following day.
“We are excited about the opportunity to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl,” Ferentz said in a statment. “This allows our players one last chance to play together in a city and Bowl that is a Hawkeye favorite for its hospitality and game day experience. We look forward to heading south and competing hard to finish the 2025 season.”
If the name sounds unfamiliar, it’s because it is. Iowa’s previous six trips to Tampa came when the bowl was known as the Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes are an even 3-3 in those six matchups, most recently defeating Mississippi State in the 2019 edition.
While there will no be free Bloomin’ Onions or Coconut Shrimp for the winning fanbases, Iowa will still be bathing in sunshine against an Southeastern Conference foe. Traditional SEC teams like LSU or Florida have often been the Hawkeyes’ opponent in this game, but as the college football landscape continues to change, the bowl matchups have us well.
Iowa’s opponent for this New Year’s Eve showdown? No. 14 Vanderbilt.
The Commodores have been one of college football’s biggest surprises this season and secured a 10-win season for the first time in school history with a 21-point triumph over in-state rival Tennessee in the regular season finale.
Much of Vanderbilt’s recent success has been attributed to the outstanding performance of star quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender Diego Pavia. The senior tossed over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, while also rushing for nine more. All eyes will now be on Pavia to see if he decides to play in this game or opt out to begin preparations for the NFL Draft.
While the general consensus from the national media and some college football fans is that the prestige of bowl games has decreased, that hasn’t stopped games like these from becoming marquee matchups. It’s one final football game for the senior class, and a chance for some of the underclassmen to prove their worth before the offseason begins.
Vanderbilt’s resume alone makes this game intriguing to the casual fan, but the No. 23 Hawkeyes will have a chance to end a positive 8-4 campaign by landing their ninth victory of the season, which would be the 11th season of nine wins or more in the Ferentz era. Iowa’s beloved senior class of Kaden Wetjen, Gennings Dunker, Aaron Graves, Ethan Hurkett, and many others will have an opportunity to end their careers with a bowl win, something some of them haven’t accomplished during their impressive tenures.
Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is set for 11 a.m. CST on ESPN. Tickets can be purchased here.