Get ready for some thrilling college football action as the Iowa Hawkeyes embark on their journey to the ReliaQuest Bowl!
A Christmas Morning Departure
The Iowa Hawkeye football team is all set to leave Cedar Rapids Airport on Christmas morning, heading towards Tampa, Florida. Their destination? The highly anticipated ReliaQuest Bowl, where they'll face off against Vanderbilt University on December 31st at 11 a.m.
But here's where it gets controversial... Iowa, ranked #23, will be taking on #14 Vanderbilt. Can the Hawkeyes pull off an upset and secure a win over a ranked opponent for the first time since 2021?
The game will be held at Raymond James Stadium, and it promises to be an exciting showdown.
A Sentimental Farewell
For many Iowa seniors, including quarterback Mark Gronowski, this game marks their final hurrah in an Iowa uniform. It's also a bittersweet goodbye for Special Teams Coordinator Lavar Woods, who is leaving the program to join Michigan State as their Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator.
And this is the part most people miss... The ReliaQuest Bowl isn't just about the game. It's a week-long celebration of college football, with various events and activities leading up to the big match.
Here's a breakdown of the event schedule:
- December 26: Teams arrive and get settled in Tampa.
- December 28: Teams and their fans visit Busch Gardens for a fun-filled day. Tickets are available at the gate or online.
- December 29: The teams, marching bands, and cheerleaders take over Clearwater Beach. You can find more details about this event on the official ReliaQuest Bowl website.
- December 30: A parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m., leading to a pep rally in Tampa's vibrant Ybor City Latin District.
- December 31: The pre-game bowl bash begins at 9 a.m., followed by a thrilling pre-game show. The 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl game will kick off at 12:03 p.m. ET/ 11:03 a.m. CT.
KCRG and KWQC have partnered up to bring you a special streaming pre-game show, airing at 9:30 AM on December 31st on KCRG-TV9 and all your favorite streaming platforms.
So, will the Hawkeyes make history and secure that much-needed win? Or will Vanderbilt prove their ranking?
What do you think? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
Remember to check out the ReliaQuest Bowl events page for more details and to stay updated on all the pre-game festivities.
