NASHVILLE — Kirk Ferentz has the chance to make historical past Saturday.
An Iowa win in opposition to Kentucky would tie the Twenty fourth-year Iowa head coach with Penn State’s Joe Paterno for many bowl wins as a Massive Ten head coach with 10.
The report e book apart, the bowl additionally will give Iowa followers considerably of a glimpse into the longer term.
Listed below are three keys for the Music Metropolis Bowl that, together with absolutely serving to the Hawkeyes in opposition to Kentucky, can be necessary to look at from a long-term standpoint:
What does Joe Labas present at quarterback?
Saturday’s recreation is actually an audition for Joe Labas, who can be not solely making his first profession begin, but in addition taking his first in-game snap as a university quarterback.
The redshirt freshman’s solely alternative within the public eye earlier than this week was at Iowa’s open observe in August.
The audition doesn't include a straightforward set of circumstances. Labas has been transitioning because the finish of the common season from engaged on the scout workforce to taking first-team reps in observe.
No matter how Labas performs, McNamara will doubtless nonetheless be the presumed beginning quarterback for 2023.
However a stellar efficiency from Labas would give Iowa’s employees one thing to consider heading into 2023 spring practices and fall camp.
How a lot has Iowa’s offensive line developed because the finish of the common season?
Kirk Ferentz earlier this month described the bowl practices as “actually necessary alternatives for all of the gamers that have not performed so much and even guys which have performed which can be youthful to proceed to maneuver ahead as gamers.”
That's particularly the case at offensive line — one in every of Iowa’s most inexperienced place teams.
Iowa’s beginning offensive linemen heading into the bowl recreation embody one junior, three sophomores and a redshirt freshman.
An improved offensive line can be particularly useful in constructing Labas’ consolation though he does have the flexibility to make performs together with his toes.
Which youthful gamers on the protection shine?
Nearly precisely a yr in the past, Cooper DeJean basically made a touchdown-saving play within the Citrus Bowl as he tackled Kentucky broad receiver Wan’Dale Robinson a yard in need of the top zone.
The sort out itself grew to become a moot level when Kentucky scored a landing on the following play. Nevertheless, it foreshadowed a bigger position for DeJean on Iowa’s protection.
With 4 interceptions in 2022, two of which he returned for touchdowns, DeJean now's a key a part of Iowa’s success within the secondary.
It's doable for one more future defensive contributor to point out a flash of what they’re able to on this yr’s Music Metropolis Bowl.
Former five-star recruit Xavier Nwankpa is one risk after security Kaevon Merriweather’s opt-out created a void within the secondary.
What’s at stake
Together with Ferentz’s shot at historical past, Iowa would add one other trophy to its assortment with a win Saturday, and seniors would finish their careers on a win.
Saturday’s end result is unlikely to have a big long-term impression for both workforce, although.
Prediction
Each groups have some unknowns, particularly at quarterback, which might make for one more recreation of the sudden to wrap up a 2022 season with many sudden issues.
Iowa 20, Kentucky 17
Feedback: john.steppe@thegazette.com
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