Who's picking Iowa to win? We would like to, but when has Iowa ever won a BCS Game?

Time to pick the #10 Iowa (10-2) game in the 2010 Orange Bowl vs. #9 Georgia Tech (11-2) ...

Wow, we would call this game one of the better match ups in the BCS and all the 2009-10 bowls, for that matter. Unless, it turns out one of these teams isn't up to the task.? But, with Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson squaring off, we would be very surprised in this one not going down the wire.

For a good read from the Atlanta paper on the game ...

Orange Bowl: Ga. Tech vs. Iowa
Nesbitt, Dwyer leads Tech's offense against Iowa's stingy defense in tonight's Orange Bowl.
GT stats

Iowa stats

Team stats
GT Blog: Jackets to wear new uniforms tonight

Tony Barnhart » Five burning questions about the Orange Bowl

Iowa Hawkeyes prep for Orange Bowl

If you want the local side here in Cedar Rapids ...

LIVE CHAT: Starts at 6:30 p.m.
Morehouse's keys to Iowa victory
VIDEO: The Hawkeye Hummer
Hawkeyes need to seize this night in Miami
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Hawkeye Huddle
Almost as important as the Rose Bowl

Someone suggested this afternoon that the Line moved, due to Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi being questionable, since he wasn't on The Gazette's two deep? Another rumor has been the health of Iowa RB Adam Robinson. If Iowa is without RB Robinson, we should be really concerned, since Robinson was a huge contributor most of the season and was a clear missing piece in Iowa's first loss.

Keys to the game:

• Special teams - Hard for Iowa to win without doing well here


• The Line of scrimmage - offense, as well as defense


• Either teams rushing attack - can one team control the line of scrimmage?


• Big Plays - always big in bowl games


• Coaching adjustments and preparation - two of the finer head coaches in FBS (Iowa's DC Norm Parker deserves mention, as well)

The absolute key of the game would appear to be Iowa's offense vs. Georgia Tech's defense.

• 69% of those polled by the OrangeBowl organization at 4:14 pm picked Iowa to win.

Of course, if it is based on butts in the seats, it would appear Iowa should be the favorite over Georgia Tech, rather than a four point underdog.

If we played right now, we would say Georgia Tech 28, Iowa 24. Of course, it's hard not to say Iowa by 6 points in a game that should be important for both programs.

The Orange Bowl should be a good football game this evening. It should be competitive and both programs likely will be good candidates to make some noise in 2010, as well.

peace