Linebacker Trevin Wallace and UK will face Iowa in the Music City Bowl in what could be a defensive battle. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Why would Kentucky want to play a bowl game that kicks off at the exactly the same time the Kentucky-Louisville basketball game in Rupp Arena will start on Dec. 31?
“It will be an exciting day for Wildcat fans as our football team plays in Nashville while our men’s basketball team takes on Louisville in Rupp Arena. We know it presents a challenge for our fans and staff, but just as we did in similar circumstances in 2017, I’m confident that the Big Blue Nation will turn out strong in both locations,” UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement released by UK after the bowl pairings were announced.
Kentucky will go to the Music City Bowl in Nashville for the sixth time — more than any other team — and will face Iowa, the same Big Ten team it beat in the Citrus Bowl last year.
Why do that?
First, Kentucky coaches preferred playing in Nashville over the Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 17 because it is just a few days before the national signing period opens and coach Mark Stoops would prefer to have his staff concentrating on recruiting rather than bowl prep those few days.
Second, Kentucky could well go into the game with quarterback Will Levis or running back Chris Rodriguez. Even with both of them playing, Kentucky has had trouble scoring points. Iowa is a far better defensive team than offensive and this matchup could provide a better chance to UK to get its eighth win than some other matchups might.
Third, how many fans would likely attend both the UK-Louisville basketball game and a football bowl game? I don’t think it is a huge number. Sure there are some who would but fans can make their choice. I’m not sure how much excitement this year’s Kentucky-Louisville game has for fans because the Cardinals are so bad. I also think Kentucky football fans might not be quite as excited over this year’s 7-5 team as they have been over some other recent teams.
Bottom line, Kentucky football had to do what was best for it and not worry about what was best for basketball.
Iowa scored more than 27 points in just one game. It had six games where it scored 14 points or less. The Hawkeyes lost to Michigan, Illinois and Ohio State before beating Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin and Minnesota. However, Iowa ended the season with a 24-17 loss to Nebraska.
While Kentucky’s offense ranked 106th nationally in total offense, Iowa’s was even worse at 130th. Kentucky averaged 22.1 points per game while Iowa averaged just 17.9.
Iowa already knows starting quarterback Spencer Petras will not play in the bowl game because of an injury. Backup Alex Padilla has already entered the transfer portal, so either redshirt freshman Joey Labas or true freshman Carson May will get the start in the bowl game.
Defensively, Kentucky ranks 12th in scoring defense (19.1 points per game) — which was third best in the SEC. Kentucky ranks seventh nationally in pass defense at 173.4 yards per game and UK did hold No. 1 Georgia to 16 points.
Iowa’s defense is ranked fourth nationally averaging 277.9 yards per game and sixth in scoring defense at 14.4 points per game.
4 Responses
I was hoping for another bowl, but it is what it is.
My only complaint is playing Iowa again. it’s very rare you play the same opponent in a bowl game 2 years in a row.
Not sure there is any way to come out of this not smelling like cow manure. Don’t know how many fans want to see UK play anybody in Nashville, let alone a team like Iowa but if you have a choice as bad as what the football team has created for themselves then no matter how bad it tastes, drink it down.
I have to admit times have changed. In the decades past I always hoped that UK made it to any bowl, including the Weedwhacker Independence Bowl in Shreveport. Beggars can’t be choosers
I have friends here in Orlando that go to Nashville every other month – it is a destination city now. As you state LV , KP’s team isn’t/won’t be competitive this year. Western KY folks can get there quicker than Lexington. Bowl revelers can put in their ear buds and listen to BB game on I Heart radio. One thing for sure, I’m taking the under to pay for my trip to Iceland this summer !!!