Why No. 23 Iowa football, No. 14 Vanderbilt won’t have many opt outs in the ReliaQuest Bowl

IOWA CITY — There was no reason for anyone to not play in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Despite the disappointment that neither Iowa or Vanderbilt football could play for a conference championship or make a College Football Playoff appearance, there was zero doubt the two teams would have their full rosters available.

“I think that just shows the love for the game that I know our team has,” linebacker Jayden Montgomery said. “I'm not familiar with their team, obviously, but I know the guys in our locker room, how we operate on a day-to-day basis and how much just playing with the guys in the locker room means.”

It’s now turned the Tampa-based bowl into one of, if not the most, intriguing bowl matchup outside of the College Football Playoff.

“It's gratifying to know our guys want to play the bowl game and want to enjoy this last opportunity to be together,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It's unique in that regard where I think we've got two teams that are kind of looking at each other, look a little bit like each other in some ways.”

The Hawkeyes’ prep to take on the Commodores is just now starting to heat up. Recently, Ferentz wanted to give his team time off and allow Iowa to recover from the regular season — and focus on finals, too.

This weekend is Iowa’s chance to regroup and delve into the film Vanderbilt has this season.

With bowl teams participating, it means Iowa will face Heisman runner-up quarterback Diego Pavia. The senior signal caller recorded 27 passing touchdowns and nine rushing scores in the regular season, giving up just eight interceptions and has only been sacked 19 times.

He’s quick, particularly when scrambling out of the pocket, and a quarterback unlike any Iowa faced in the regular season.

“I think you see elements of what he does, and other guys’ games,” Montgomery said, “but you don't often see them paired together, and a guy like him that can kind of do a little bit of it all.”

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The only Commodore with the availability question mark is tight end Eli Stowers — the newly minted John Mackey Award winner for the best tight end in college football. Stowers didn’t participate in Vanderbilt’s bowl practice Thursday, according to The Nashville Post, but head coach Clark Lea said the decision just isn’t final yet.

Stowers hasn’t formally declared for the NFL Draft, but is anticipated to do so soon.

“We’re in conversation with Eli right now about what this looks like for him,” Lea said following Vanderbilt’s practice. “...We want to be really deliberate in working through this with him and making sure he’s best positioned to have a great draft day. Those conversations are ongoing, but we’re totally supportive of him as he kind of goes through that process.”

The Hawkeye seniors have said multiple times that playing in some version of a postseason game — whether it be the CFP or a bowl game — was always the team’s goal. Yes, the overarching narrative of bowl games has grown to focus on the next generation, but this Iowa team wants to end the season with one more win.

And they simply want to be around each other a little bit longer.

“I really just enjoy spending the time with the guys,” cornerback TJ Hall said. “I love the bowl game, but really the time leading up, spending the time in a hotel room, playing video games and chilling, that's the time I love about the bowl game.”

Iowa’s schedule in Tampa includes a beach day and a trip to Busch Gardens in between team practices and film sessions. The Hawkeyes view the weeklong trip to Florida as a chance for more team bonding just as much as they’re hungry for another win.

It’s viewed as part of the 2025 season to play in a bowl game. That’s the expectation. The Hawkeyes never thought twice about not suiting up one last time.

“This is still the 2025 year, and having to play a team like Vanderbilt, you want everyone on the team at their best,” offensive lineman Trevor Lauck said. “That's what we're going to get, so we’re ready to go and excited for the opportunity.”

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