The 2024 Music City Bowl features the 8-4 Iowa Hawkeyes against the 9-3 Missouri Tigers. Here is the 2024 Music City Bowl Preview.
Iowa won eight games this season to qualify for a bowl game. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams: Minnesota, Washington and Nebraska. Two of their losses, to Michigan State and UCLA, were to teams who didn’t make bowl games.
The Hawkeyes score 28 points per game, ranking 70th in the country. They pass for 131.7 yards (ranked 131st) and rush for 199.8 yards per game (ranked 20th).
Brendan Sullivan took over as the starting quarterback during this season. He has passed for 344 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Two players have over 200 receiving yards on the season for the Hawkeyes. Jacob Gill and Luke Lachey are the leading receivers with 382 and 227 receiving yards respectively.
Kaleb Johnson has been a star at running back this season, but he is opting out. Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson will need to step up after posting 377 and 235 rushing yards a piece.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes allow 17.1 points per game, ranking ninth in the country. They give up 196.1 passing yards and 117.5 rushing yards per game. Jay Higgins has been all over the field with 118 total tackles. Ethan Hurkett led the team with 6.5 sacks. Jermari Harris has made plays on the ball with seven passes defended and two interceptions.
Missouri won nine games to make a bowl game. They defeated six bowl-eligible teams this season: Buffalo, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Arkansas. All of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
The Tigers score 29.1 points per game, ranking 61st in the FBS. They pass for 219.9 yards (ranked 77th) and rush for 170.8 yards per game (ranked 54th).
Brady Cook returned at quarterback for Missouri this season. He passed for 2,248 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions on 63.3 percent completion. Star receiver Luther Burden III is opting out for his game, Mookie Cooper is out with an injury and so too is tight end Brett Norfleet. The leading receiver Theo Wease has caught 55 passes for 809 yards and three touchdowns.
Three running backs have over 200 rushing yards on the season. Nate Noel leads the team with 804 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Marcus Carroll and Jamal Roberts have helped out with 578 and 214 yards respectively.
On defense, the Tigers give up 20.1 points per game, ranking 18th in the FBS. They allow 185.5 passing yards and 133.8 rushing yards per game. Corey Flagg Jr. leads the team with 76 total tackles. Johnny Walker Jr. paces the team with 7.5 sacks. Daylan Carnell posted six passes defended.
Missouri has plenty of opt-outs that could limit their offensive effectiveness in this game. Iowa can keep this game low-scoring because a lot of their defense is playing in this game. Finding a little bit of offense should give them the win.
Iowa Hawkeyes 14 Missouri Tigers 10
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