What’s Next for Iowa? Hawkeyes Await Likely Bowl Destination After Rivalry Week Win
The Iowa Hawkeyes did their part. They handled business against Nebraska with a convincing 40-16 win, wrapping up their regular season on a high note.
Now, like so many teams around the country, they wait. The postseason picture is starting to take shape, and for Iowa, the options are narrowing.
For fans wondering how bowl matchups are decided, it’s not just a random draw. There’s a structure in place-one that ties specific conferences to specific bowls.
While the names of these games might change with sponsorships, the matchups themselves are rooted in longstanding agreements. For a Big Ten team like Iowa, that means a set list of potential destinations-unless, of course, they crack the College Football Playoff.
That didn’t happen this year, so the Hawkeyes are firmly in the bowl rotation.
One game that continues to pop up in the Iowa rumor mill? The ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida.
Played at Raymond James Stadium-home of the NFL’s Buccaneers-this bowl features a Big Ten vs. SEC showdown.
It’s a familiar setup, and Iowa’s no stranger to it. The Hawkeyes haven’t been to this particular bowl since 2019, back when it was still known as the Outback Bowl, but they’ve made several appearances in recent years, including in 2017 and 2014.
This year’s ReliaQuest Bowl is shaping up to feature two fresh faces from the Big Ten and SEC. In previous editions, we’ve seen matchups like Wisconsin vs.
LSU and Michigan vs. Alabama.
If Iowa lands here, it would mark a return to a bowl environment they know well-sunny Florida, a strong SEC opponent, and a national spotlight to close out the season.
There’s also been some chatter about the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, held in Orlando at Camping World Stadium. Another Florida-based bowl, the Citrus is a step up in the pecking order and typically draws higher-ranked teams from the Big Ten and SEC.
Right now, projections have a team like Michigan slotted there, depending on how things shake out against Ohio State. For Iowa to climb into that spot, they’d need a few dominoes to fall in their favor.
ESPN’s projections for Iowa have bounced around in recent weeks, with the Citrus Bowl appearing as a possibility at one point-especially if the Hawkeyes had stumbled against Nebraska. But with that win secured, it’s more likely Iowa ends up in Tampa, while a team like Nebraska or another lower-tier Big Ten squad heads to a game like the one at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
At this point, Iowa’s postseason path is all about waiting for the final pieces to fall into place. But one thing’s clear: they’ve earned a spot in a quality bowl, and all signs are pointing toward another Florida trip. Whether it’s Tampa or Orlando, the Hawkeyes will be playing under the sun with a shot to cap their season on a high note.