The Music City Bowl is set to bring exciting college football action to Nashville as the Missouri Tigers face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday, December 30, 2024. The matchup is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium, where fans can expect plenty of adrenaline as both teams vie for victory.
This game holds special significance, as it serves as a long-awaited rematch; the two teams were initially scheduled to meet during the 2020 season, but COVID-19 cases led to the cancellation of the game. Now, Iowa returns to Nashville after winning the Music City Bowl last year with a dominating 21-0 shutout over Kentucky. Iowa is coming off another solid season, finishing with 8 wins and 4 losses, and it will look to extend its streak of 12 consecutive winning campaigns under the leadership of head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Missouri, ranked no. 19 with a record of 9-3, seeks its first win at the Music City Bowl and aims for back-to-back 10-win seasons for only the third time in program history. The last time the Tigers achieved this feat was back in 2013-14. The excitement around the Tigers is palpable; they managed to sell out their ticket allotment, signaling strong fan support as they prepare for this pivotal matchup.
According to Ferentz, "It’s hard to screw up Nashville. It’s a great venue. I think our players really enjoyed it last time." That enjoyment is reflected as the Hawkeyes return to what has become somewhat of a home turf following their success last year. They aim to build on this momentum against Missouri, who enters the game following four straight games where they scored at least 28 points.
One of the standout players to watch will be Missouri quarterback Brady Cook, who is poised to make history as he becomes the first quarterback to start four consecutive bowl games for the Tigers. He holds an impressive record of 26-13 as a starter and currently ranks just behind Chase Daniel for the most wins at Missouri. Cook has put up solid numbers this season with 2,248 passing yards and 169 rushing yards. Sadly, he will be without one of his top targets, Luther Burden III, who has opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft after leading the team with 61 catches for 676 yards and 6 touchdowns.
On the other side of the field, Iowa will have to make adjustments without their star running back Kaleb Johnson, who has decided to enter the NFL draft after leading the Big Ten with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns this season. Johnson’s absence leaves the Hawkeyes with running back Kamari Moulton stepping up, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry throughout the season. The Iowa offense has boasted incredible rushing statistics, averaging nearly 200 yards per game, the highest since 2002.
Defensively, Missouri’s Johnny Walker is another player to keep an eye on. The defensive end has been on fire with at least one sack over the last six games and was named defensive MVP during the team's Cotton Bowl win. He will be instrumental for Missouri against Iowa’s strong rushing attack, aiming for another stellar performance to solidify his impact on the game.
For fans who wish to catch the game, it will be aired on ESPN, with several live streaming options available, including FuboTV, SlingTV, and DirecTV Stream, all of which are offering special trials or discounts. The widespread accessibility to the game suggests strong interest from fans on both sides, likely to amplify anticipation leading up to kickoff.
With both squads entering the contest with something to prove, viewers can expect to witness not only talented play but compelling narratives woven throughout the game. Can Cook lead Missouri to its first Music City Bowl win? Will Iowa's storied success continue under Ferentz? This electrifying clash is sure to provide memorable moments for college football enthusiasts everywhere.
Overall, the Music City Bowl is shaping up to be an exhilarating game featuring two motivated teams ready to showcase their strength and aim for victory on the national stage. Mark your calendars and get ready for what promises to be one of the highlights of the college football bowl season.