Outback Bowl capsule

Outback Bowl

Iowa (8-4) vs. No. 18 Mississippi State (8-4)

TIME/TV 11 a.m. (ESPN2)

LINE Mississippi State by 7

SERIES First meeting

SITE Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have a shot at their biggest bowl win since they beat Michigan in the Gator Bowl eight years ago. They have a chance to finish in the Top 25 for the third time in five years. The Hawkeyes are seeking their biggest bowl win since the 2009 season, when they beat Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. With a victory they would likely finish in the Top 25 for only the second time in the past nine seasons.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

MISSISSIPPI STATE Second-team All-America DE Montez Sweat ranks second in the SEC with 11 sacks and has 13½ tackles for a loss.

IOWA Second-team All-American T.J. Hockenson, who won the John Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end, has 46 receptions for 717 yards and 6 touchdowns.

photo

AP

T.J. Hockenson

Sports on 01/01/2019

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