College Football Bowl Predictions Part III (New Year’s Day and Beyond): Auburn-Wisconsin, Kansas State-UCLA, and More

Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers players celebrate with a team photo after becoming bowl eligible following a win against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Volunteers won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Taxslayer Bowl- Jacksonville, Fla.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Tennessee Volunteers

Line: Tennessee by 3.5

Saturday Blitz Vegas Bowl Prediction: Tennessee Wins 38-31

Iowa has an extremely physical college football team that you have to respect, but there are obvious limitations to what the Hawkeyes can do. There are absolutely no skill players on this team, they don’t have much speed on the outside, and they are incredibly predictable on offense. All of these factors should point to a solid win for the Tennessee Vols on Jan. 2.

Tennessee runs variations of the spread offense but is much more physical than other teams at the same time. The Vols, especially recently, have a young and talented offensive line that has only gotten better as the year has gone on and they learned to play together. Meanwhile, they are loaded at the skill positions with Jalen Hurd at running back and a plethora of superstar wide receivers.

On defense, the Vols have a physical enough defensive line, and Iowa is so lacking in skill players, that they will be able to keep the Hawkeyes in check for most of the game. This will be high-scoring because of the fast no-huddle offense Tennessee runs and a few special teams plays that might break in Iowa’s favor.

But overall, the Tennessee Volunteers and storied college football program that they are should reach their first winning season since 2010.

Next: Alamo Bowl Prediction: Kansas State vs. UCLA