The Iowa Hawkeyes have accepted a bid to play in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona on December 30th. The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with a record of 7-5 and will play 19th ranked Oklahoma.
Iowa Athletic Director, Gary Barta says he didn’t know it was going to be an Arizona bowl game until late in the afternoon. The Insight picked Iowa even though it is the second straight appearance for the Hawks in the bowl. “I think over the years what I’ve learned is what the bowls want is a matchup that’s going to draw a good crowd and that’s going to do well in the television ratings,” Barta explain. He says the two coaches and the two programs with their history made a lot of sense, even though it would be Iowa’s second straight trip there.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says they are thrilled with the chance to return. “We had just an outstanding experience last year down in Arizona…we’re looking forward to returning there,” Ferentz says, though he admits it’s “a very tough draw” to play Oklahoma.
Iowa beat 12th ranked Missouri 27-24 in last year’s game. “Like last year this team is very, very talented, like last year they have a got and outstanding quarterback, I would assume a first-rounder for sure,” Ferentz says. He says Stoops does a great job coaching and has a couple of former Hawkeyes on his staff too.
Oklahoma spent part of this season as the nation’s top ranked team and finished the regular season with a record of 9-3.