Mississippi State and Iowa will kick off 2019 when they meet in the Outback Bowl on Tuesday. Iowa is a team that's typically tough to face on New Year's Day bowl games, whereas Mississippi State has been a team tough to face any time in 2018.
This game isn't just about trying to reach a ninth win on the season for either team. It's not just about trying to determine SEC or Big 10 supremacy. It's not the victor heading into offseason on a high note.
This game's also about food.
An Iowa win means football fans get free coconut shrimp at Outback locations, and a Mississippi State win means fans get a free bloomin' onion.
That said, the Mississippi State defense has been downright tough this season. The Bulldogs (8-4) rank in the nation's top 10 in all four major defensive categories — first in scoring (12.0 ppg), third in total defense (268.4 ypg), sixth in passing (164.2 ypg) and 10th in rushing (104.3 ypg).
Only three teams scored more than 13 points against the Bulldogs this season, and no team posted more than 28 on them.
Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, playing his final game in a Bulldogs uniform, is a dual threat who's accounted for 2,638 yards this season. He'll look to finish his career with a win.
Iowa (8-4) won six of their first seven games to start the 2018 season but then lost three straight to Penn State, Purdue and Northwestern — three tough Big 10 teams. The Hawkeyes then bludgeoned Illinois, 63-0, and finished off Nebraska to make the Outback Bowl.
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
Raymond James Stadium • Tampa Bay, Fla.
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019
Time: Noon ET/9 a.m. PT
TV Channel: ESPN2
Satellite Radio: Mad Dog Sports Radio, Ch. 82
Live Streaming: Watch Live with fuboTV – Try Free Trial; or WatchESPN
Odds: Mississippi St. -7; over/under 40.5 (Vegas Insider)
KEY MATCHUP:
Iowa offense vs. Mississippi State defense
As stated above, the Bulldogs defense finished in the top 10 in every major defensive category in the country. They also held five opponents to single digits in 2018. The Bulldogs are led by first-team all-SEC defensive ends Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat, who wreaked havoc on the SEC all season.
Iowa will look to its versatile rushing game with a triple threat in running backs Mekhi Sargent, Toren Young, and Ivory Kelly-Martin. The Hawkeyes will need a good game from quarterback Nate Stanley to keep the Bulldogs defense off balance.
Prediction:
Brandon Cavanaugh (Athlon Sports): Miss. St. 27, Iowa 19
"Ultimately, Mississippi State has better talent and has sharpened it versus better competition. Iowa will get yardage, but kicker Miguel Recinos looks like he may have the most productive day of any Hawkeye offensive player. This looks to be a solid battle, but the Bulldogs grade out well enough to cover the spread and deliver deep-fried onions to all."
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