It is New Year’s Day, and that means it is time for the Grandaddy of them all. Iowa faces Stanford in the Rose Bowl. This game just feels like a classic Rose Bowl game, unlike last year’s game when Florida State was in it. It feels great seeing B1G vs Pac 12 in this iconic Bowl game. Nobody would have thought Iowa would have the season they are having, well except the Hawkeye fans. This team plays great defense, runs the ball well, and has a quarterback in CJ Beathard who makes their offense so much more versatile. It is the first time in a while that Iowa has a difference maker at that position. Beathard has been shaken up by a groin injury, but says he feels 100%.

Stanford’s season has been a long and emotional one. Starting the season with a stunning loss to Northwestern in the battle of the brains. After this loss everyone wrote the Cardinal off. They rebounded and they were on a tear winning game after game. Then they hosted the Oregon Ducks. That night was a night to forget for Cardinal fans. It was the Vernon Adams show as Oregon’s magical quarterback did everything and destroyed Stanford’s, playoff dreams. Once again the Cardinal bounced back, beating Notre Dame in one of the best games of the year.

This game is going to be awesome. Many people believe it will be all Stanford fans because of proximity, but trust me Hawkeye nation will come in waves. This game will be back and forth, running the football down the field. Christian McCaffrey is going to have to be the difference in the game for Stanford. The Heisman Trophy runner-up has to have a huge game. Iowa is a better version of Northwestern, and we all remember what Northwestern did to Stanford. That is why I am picking the Hawkeyes to win their first Rose Bowl in a while.