Iowa vs. Florida in the Outback Bowl. Hmm ... where have we heard that one before?
Oh, that's right. In 2004. And again in 2006. The folks in Tampa sure like this matchup -- and the Hawkeyes in general. This is their fifth trip to the Outback in 12 years.
Kirk Ferentz's team seemed bound for a lesser bowl -- the Outback is the highest non-New Year's Six game in the Big Ten bowl lineup this season -- until a strong finish. The Hawkeyes stunned Michigan at home on Nov. 12 and then steamrolled Nebraska 40-10 in the season finale, leapfrogging the Cornhuskers on the bowl ladder in the process.