The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to face the 19th-ranked Missouri Tigers in the 2024 Music City Bowl this Monday. Iowa, appearing in a bowl game for the 12th consecutive year, boasts a season record of 8-4, having tied for fifth in the Big Ten conference with Illinois at 6-3. Conversely, Missouri enters the matchup with a record of 9-3, tied for fourth in the SEC at 5-3. This season, the Hawkeyes have struggled against ranked opponents, holding a record of 0-1, while the Tigers have been impressive, remaining perfect at 8-0 against unranked teams.
Both teams will be missing key players due to the transfer portal and the upcoming NFL Draft. Iowa’s starting quarterback Cade McNamara is in the portal, and running back Kaleb Johnson is declaring for the Draft. Missouri is also facing significant losses, with top wide receiver Luther Burden III and starting offensive tackle Armand Membou both opting for the Draft.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Missouri is currently favored by 2.5 points, and the game features a total points over/under of 40.5, marking it as the lowest of the remaining bowl games.
Notably, the SportsLine Projection Model, which has successfully predicted FBS games thousands of times, is leaning towards the over for the total points scored in this game. The model has a strong track record, generating substantial returns for bettors.
For Missouri, senior quarterback Brady Cook leads the offense, showcasing a solid performance throughout the season. He’s thrown for over 2,200 yards and has also contributed on the ground. Senior running backs Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll have established a formidable rushing attack, adding depth to the Tigers’ offense.
On the other side, Iowa will look to junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan to step up in McNamara’s absence. Sullivan has shown promise in his limited playing time and will be supported by freshman running back Kamari Moulton, who has been the standout in the ground game this season.
The anticipation for the Music City Bowl is building, and the matchup promises to be an exciting clash of styles as both teams adapt to the absence of key players. Fans can look forward to a thrilling game as Iowa and Missouri aim to end their seasons on a high note.
Summary: The Iowa Hawkeyes will clash with the Missouri Tigers in the 2024 Music City Bowl, each missing key players but looking to secure a victory. Missouri holds a slight edge as favorites, with a wealth of offensive talent compared to Iowa’s emerging quarterback and running back. The game is set to be an exciting finale to the college football season.