For the first time, Mississippi State and Iowa are set to clash. Here’s everything that you need to know about this season’s Outback Bowl.
In his first season as the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Joe Moorhead has guided his team to Tampa, Florida to compete against the Iowa Hawkeyes for the Outback Bowl. A win against Iowa in this bowl game would put a positive ending on a rather underwhelming season for a Mississippi State team that had the talent to get to double-digit wins in 2018.
The Bulldogs seemingly struggled to grow accustomed to Moorhead’s offense until late into the season. MSU also struggled to keep penalties and mental errors in check, but evidently grew out of that as the year went along (not counting a brawl in the Egg Bowl, of course).
Things did get straightened out with both of those issues and the Bulldogs finished the regular season well. State’s offense balanced out as quarterback Nick Fitzgerald came into his own in the final few games of the regular season and MSU happened to finished the year with the nation’s best scoring defense.
But Iowa, like Mississippi State, features one of the best defenses in the country. The Hawkeyes have been difficult to score on for opposing teams and a lot of that has to do with how good Iowa’s defensive ends are.
This game will certainly be a showcase of great defensive line play. Iowa’s Anthony Nelson and A.J. Epenesa have combined for 19 sacks this season. Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat have a total of 29.5 tackles for loss this year.
How to watch and bet on the 2019 Outback Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 1
- Start time: 12 p.m. EST
- Location: Tampa, FL
- Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
- Spread: Mississippi State -7
- Channel: ESPN2
- Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction: Mississippi State has just a bit more talent on its defensive line than Iowa. To go with that talent up front, the Bulldogs have been surprisingly good in the secondary as well. MSU should be able to force Iowa quarterback Nathan Stanley into some errors and, even with this game being close until late, the Bulldogs should win by two touchdowns.
Score: Mississippi State 27, Iowa 13
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