TaxSlayer Bowl: IOWA (7-5) vs. TENNESSEE (6-6)
Date, Time, TV: Jan. 2, 3:20 p.m. ET, ESPN
Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
Matchup: ACC/Big Ten vs. SEC
Las Vegas Odds: Tennessee -3.5, Over/Under 51.5
Details: In Butch Jones's second year, Tennessee won three of its final four games to end a streak of three seasons without a bowl appearance. Iowa, however, dropped four of its last six games after a 5-1 start. Tennessee sophomore QB Joshua Dobbs started the final five games, throwing for 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns and rushing for 393 yards and six scores. True freshman RB Jalen Hurd suffered an injury in the regular season finale against Vanterbilt, but he'll be back in the lineup for the game. He has 994 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns on the season. Tennessee's receiving corps is decimated with injuries, with both Marquez North and Jason Croom out for the game, so the Vols may need a big game from leading receiver Pig Howard. Defensively, the Vols will be without suspended All-SEC LB A.J. Johnson. 247Sports True Freshman All-American DE Derek Barnett has recorded 10 sacks this season, but he'll have his work cut out for him here as he squares off with Iowa OT Brandon Scherff, a unanimous All-American and Outland Trophy winner. The Iowa rushing attack is led by Mark Weisman, who has 808 yards and 14 scores, but didn't find the end zone in the final three games. Iowa QB Jake Rudock threw for 2,404 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions on the year. The Hawkeyes boast a trio of 2nd-Team All-Big Ten selections on defense: DL Louis Trinca-Pasat, DL Carl Davis and LB Quinton Alston. These two teams have met just twice before, with each winning once.
THE PICK: TENNESSEE 38, IOWA 28