Off the cuff thoughts about the Outback Bowl...

1. Should be a good game if your new QB plays well. Wish we could play you at full strength. Have heard that Jennings has potential and will have three weeks to prepare.

2. Don't sell this Iowa team short. I understand we don't carry the cache of other bigger brand schools, but our team is playing well and could very well take LSU's best shot and win convincingly (don't laugh too hard at that one please).

3. In particular our defense has really come on at the end of the year, limiting Michigan to 158 yards of offense in our game against them. We turned the ball over four times to keep it close, but make no mistake, you guys would crush Michigan as they just really aren't that good and you should get a better game from the Hawks (I hope).

4. Most Iowa fans were hoping to face Texas A&M due to the exposure Manziel would generate. We understand you guys are a quality program. Since it's been nearly ten years since we last played, at least the matchup isn't stale. Definitely should be good tailgating at least.

5. This is an Iowa team that is young and improving, with what I'm predicting will be a BCS bowl level team next year. I'll write more about the specifics of our team as we get closer to the game. Keys to know about at this point are three of the best LBs in the nation and a jr. LT that could enter the draft this spring.

6. Iowa is physical, balanced and limits penalties. They are a much better team now than they were to start the season and are likely a legit top 20 team that just lost to too many quality opponents along the way to be ranked (2 BCS qualfiers and Wisconsin). The Northern Illinois game to start the season really isn't relevant at this point in the season, but still counts against us obviously.

7. Hope you guys can look past the disappointment of the matchup to have some good discussion these next few weeks. Have really enjoyed the LSU fans we've run into the past several years. Should be a great time in Tampa.