With the Music City Bowl set to kick off at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the Missouri Tigers and Iowa Hawkeyes have started their preparations in Nashville, Tennessee.
Big Ten and SEC foes will square off as both teams look to cap off relatively successful seasons. Mizzou is aiming for its second consecutive 10-win season, while Iowa seeks its ninth victory.
Last year, the Tigers secured a Cotton Bowl victory over one of the Big Ten’s best, Ohio State. If Mizzou wants to secure its second consecutive bowl win, it will need to accomplish these three key objectives.
1. Break Down Iowa's Offensive Line
A significant portion of Monday's game will be decided in the trenches, as Iowa looks to establish the run behind its stout offensive line. Despite the absence of running back Kaleb Johnson, who opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft, much of Iowa’s rushing success this season can be attributed to the effectiveness of their offensive line. If Mizzou’s defense can stifle the Hawkeyes’ ground game early, it will open up opportunities across the board for the Tigers' defense. Watch for Chris McClellan and Zion Young to make an early impact in disrupting Iowa’s game plan.
2. Brady Cook Passing
Iowa's defense has been dominant this season, but one vulnerability lies in the secondary. Mizzou, on the other hand, has struggled in the passing game, setting up a matchup that could significantly influence the game’s outcome. The Tigers will be without star receiver Luther Burden, who opted out after declaring for the NFL Draft, while the Hawkeyes will be missing cornerback Jermari Harris, who also opted out. This clash between a weak secondary and a shaky passing attack will be intriguing to watch. For Mizzou to capitalize, quarterback Brady Cook must find a way to exploit this matchup. The Tigers' wide receiver room, featuring Theo Wease, Mekhi Miller, and Joshua Manning, remains talented, but their impact will depend on Cook's ability to deliver the ball effectively. This dynamic could ultimately determine the game’s outcome.
3. Mizzou's rushing attack vs. Iowa's linebackers
The tandem of Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll has been a nightmare for defenses this season. Noel excels as an elusive open-field runner, consistently driving the offense downfield, while Carroll dominates in goal-to-go situations, using his power and short-yardage prowess to finish drives. Their success, however, has been heavily dependent on Mizzou's offensive line and its exceptional run-blocking abilities. Unfortunately for the Tigers, leading run blocker Armand Membou has opted out after declaring for the NFL Draft. Mitch Walters is expected to step into his role on Monday. On the other side, Iowa's linebackers are the cornerstone of its defense. Jay Higgins, a two-time All-American, and Nick Jackson, second all-time in NCAA tackles, form a dynamic duo capable of disrupting Mizzou's ground game. This matchup in the trenches will be pivotal. If the Tigers can establish the run, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to secure the victory.