With Christmas in the rearview mirror, there aren’t too many days separating the Tennessee Volunteers and their Citrus Bowl matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes on New Year’s Day. It’s officially game week for the Tennessee fanbase.
It's @CitrusBowl GAME WEEK!!
🆚Iowa
📅 January 1
🏟️ Camping World Stadium
🎟️ » https://t.co/JtTezM46xQ pic.twitter.com/hVD8XxfL68— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 26, 2023
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The Volunteers will fly down to Orlando on Tuesday to start their final bits of preparation throughout the week.
The No. 21 Vols have a tough task with the No. 17 Hawkeyes in Camping World Stadium next Monday afternoon. The Big Ten conference runner-ups certainly don’t have an intimidating offense but definitely pack a powerful punch with their defense. Iowa ranks dead last in yards per game this season but was carried to the Big Ten championship game thanks to a unit that ranked fifth in the nation in yards allowed on defense.
The over/under, set at 36.5 according to ESPN Bet, tells you everything you need to know about this New Year’s game. The Hawkeyes’ defense sets the tone for the game and forces their opponent into low-scoring contests while Iowa’s offense struggles mightily to take advantage of their opponent and put points on the board… hence, the low over/under total.
Only one of Tennessee’s games this season has gone under the 36.5 mark, the Vols’ 20-13 win over Texas A&M in Knoxville from October.
Tennessee’s offense will need to find ways to score, find ways to move the ball, and find ways to overcome this stout Iowa defense to win next Monday.
The Vols are an 8.5-point favorite according to ESPN Bet despite star 1,000-yard running back Jaylen Wright opting out of the game to focus on the road to the NFL Draft.
Four out of six USA Today writers have Tennessee besting Iowa including Scooby Axson, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, and Dan Wolken.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider throughout the week as we land boots on the ground in Orlando, FL, to bring you all the news from the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
No. 21 Tennessee will take on No. 17 Iowa at 1:00 p.m. ET on New Year’s Day from Camping World Stadium.
