Hot! Insight Bowl Preview

Insight Bowl

Date: Dec. 30

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN

Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.

Surface: Natural grass

OVERVIEW

There shall be enough expertise inside the weather when Iowa in addition to Oklahoma connect with regarding just the 2nd time period ever inside the Insight Bowl on Dec. 30.

Sooners train Bob Stoops is usually a incredibly Iowa alumnus exactly who was one of several various other prospects as soon as present Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz took refuge the particular coaching occupation tough luck ages ago. Stoops seemed to be to the field for a player for the Hawkeyes when Iowa along with Oklahoma met through the 1979 season, a casino game claimed through the Sooners 21-6.

The coaching matchup certainly seasoning in place the particular competition concerning the actual Hawkeyes (7-5) as well as the Sooners (9-3), in particular with the two schools having unexpectedly flat seasons, and Iowa doing this Insight Bowl intended for the 2nd consecutive season.

"Bob Stoops is definitely a male I've identified for an extended time frame and still have tremendous respect for with just about all levels," Ferentz said. "Tremendous person, appeared to be an brilliant gambler here, plus really does your great, fantastic job."

Oklahoma had been a genuine preseason select to compete to the national period thus some sort of pre-New Year's Day request under those targets would typically become construed being a letdown.

But it is likely from the Sooners participating flat on video game day time seem not as likely along with Iowa plus Ferentz since the opponent.

The Hawkeyes could increase up their 2011 approval star ratings through defeating the particular Sooners. Iowa resolved to go 4-4 with Big Ten play, never should over a two-game winning streak, and have a traumatic lowlight through suffering a new humiliating loss to Minnesota to the second direct season.

A victory more than Oklahoma would set up several push entering your offseason whilst dropping along with polishing off 7-6 will leave your unhealthy preference moving forward.

Iowa is definitely seeking its final consecutive bowl victory, but Ferentz appreciates winning over the Sooners won't be an easy assignment.

"They employ a many excellent players with their particular roster since all of us take a look at his or her film," Ferentz said. "It's intending that they are an impacting on undertaking intended for us."

The Hawkeyes overcome Missouri with last season's Insight Bowl during Sun Devil Stadium from a tournament in which involved a very helpful figure cheering on the Hawkeyes. It seemed to be Stoops, donning a good Iowa sweatshirt, as the Sooners were likewise inside the Phoenix location planning for the Fiesta Bowl date with Connecticut .

"I hesitation he will have got one on this year, pretty good bet he won't," Ferentz said. "Bob continues to be some sort of Hawkeye and that's one of the great things about the following work the other from the well put together reasons for our program. The guys of which come through in this article sense a true special bond toward the school."

EDGE

When Oklahoma runs: This isn't your own father's OU offense, which will could cost teams considering the option. OU position merely 49th while in the country inside rushing (167.0 meters for every game) brought by simply RB Roy Finch (just 50.08 back yards for every game). Linebackers James Morris (105 tackles) along with Christian Kirksey (103) steer a compelling Iowa run defense.