The Walk Through -- Gruden going fishing, not coaching

Good morning from Tampa.

It's raining here, maybe just spitting now.

The Iowa QBs are out checking their footing. The Raymond James Stadium field looks immaculate. The NFL doesn't mess around with fields. OK, maybe the Chicago rec department and Soldier Field does.

Iowa TEs have joined the QBs, so you know we're within two hours of kickoff.

World-class opera singer Simon Estes joined Gary Dolphin on the Iowa pregame radio show and sang a few bars of "Old Man River." Dolph: I have goosebumps the size of hubcaps.

That "hubcaps" line is straight Dubuque.

C.J. Beathard and his backwards cap go back into the locker room as the rain picks up some. Iowa QBs up and out, TEs remain behind, throwing and catching. No gloves, either.

QB Jake Rudock had zero braces or sleeves on either knee, at least right now.

-- An undisclosed medical condition will keep LSU DT Ego Ferguson out of this game. That's a blow, but LSU has a lot of starred-players. Christian LaCouture will step in for Ferguson. Here's a link from the urgently named blog "And the Valley Shook!"

-- Dolph just had Warren Holloway on the radio going over the 2005 Capital One finish.

We went through this once here. You guys voted it your No. 1 Ferentz-era Iowa game. I put it at No. 8. I can't remember my reasoning.

-- Jon Gruden is talking with Dolph on the pregame now.

He expects a physical game. He expects Iowa's vet LBs to blitz Anthony Jennings, making his first start. He said Iowa will have to contain a lot of LSU speed (he's right).

Gruden is not interested in going back into coaching (credit to Dolph for "going there"). The Outback Bowl is his 21st broadcast of the year and "I'm going fishing after this one."

-- Mike Meyer from 41 yards, left hash, good. Right into the pirate ship in the left end zone as I face the field. Kind of an ugly effort from 48 yards on first attempt and then jacks one that would've been good from 55. Forty-eight was the long.

-- Keep an eye on senior CB B.J. Lowery. I think he's fine. Talked to him at Busch Gardens. Seemed fine. But remember, he didn't finish the Nebraska game (Sean Draper did). Just an FYI.

-- LSU radio: Only three DTs who've played this year are available today.

-- Ed Podolak likes Iowa's athleticism along the front seven vs. LSU's big OL.

-- Heavy-duty knee brace on Rudock's left knee. Can't see if there's a sleeve on the other, but probably count on it.

-- Team drills: Everyone is in place. There is some occasional movement after the team drill in pregame, but not usually.

Ferentz radio: Rudock is fully healthy. Last two weeks, "looks like the old Jake. Good to see him healthy and have some spring in his legs again."

-- Up the tunnel: Rudock and OC Greg Davis in discussion on things. The two hooked up almost immediately.

-- Ferentz on Jennings: Will scout during the game. Have prepared for option game. Iowa needs to be sound in its lanes. Jennings also can throw the ball.

-- Also up the tunnel: Ferentz and Mike Meyer hook up. Quick word on max distance, I imagine.

-- Dolph and KF send condolences to the Orr family.

-- Tiffway 419 Bermuda is the grass. It's what they use on golf greens. It's a durable hybrid and NFL folks have consistently rated RJS turf the best in the NFL. According to Iowa radio.

-- Maybe another half hour of rain. More of a mist. Heavy at times.

-- Here's my view of the radar: