Iowa’s offense was the repeated comedy relief of the 2023 regular season as the Hawks averaged just 16.6 ppg, but it was Kirk Ferentz’s team that laughed all the way to a 10-3 record thanks to a vicious defense and an electric special teams. Tennessee (8-4) can put up some points on paper, but they’ll be without dynamic QB Joe Milton III who is opting out of this game.
Before Betting on the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Milton III put up some nice numbers for the Vols this year, throwing 20 TDs to 5 INTs while running for another 7 scores. He is opting out in hopes of becoming a mid-to-late round NFL draft pick, and now the QB torch in Knoxville gets turned over to 5-star true freshman Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava is huge at 6’6″ and he is the former #2 overall prospect in the class of 2023. Iamaleava completed 16 of 26 passes this season in spot duty, but it’s not a great first start draw having to go up against a Hawkeyes defense that held opponents to 16 points or less in 10 of 11 games leading up to the 26-0 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Championship.
Maybe this is actually a tough spot for Iowa, since there’s not a lot of meaningful college tape out there on Iamaleava and Vols offensive guru Josh Heupel has had a day over five weeks to draw up a game plan against this Hawkeyes defense.
Iowa vs Tennessee Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Point Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | IOWA (2.90) | TENN (1.46) | 36 | IOWA +6 (1.89) | TENN -6 (1.93) |
| MyBookie | IOWA (3.00) | TENN (1.40) | 35.5 | IOWA +6.5 (1.91) | TENN -6.5 (1.91) |
| BetUS | IOWA (2.80) | TENN (1.45) | 36 | IOWA +6 (1.90) | TENN -6 (1.90) |
| SportsBetting.ag | IOWA (2.90) | TENN (1.46) | 36 | IOWA +6 (1.89) | TENN -6 (1.93) |
| XBet | IOWA (3.00) | TENN (1.40) | 35.5 | IOWA +6.5 (1.91) | TENN -6.5 (1.91) |
2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Prediction & Pick
Let us not forget that the Tennessee defense is very serviceable, ranking in the top 40 in the country in total yards allowed, run defense, and points allowed. With what the Vols also have the potential to do on offense combined with Iowa being basically just a defense with an offense that doesn’t contribute much you have to lean Tennessee here.Â
