| MATCHUP | Iowa Hawkeyes | Vanderbilt Commodores |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 8-4 | 10-2 |
| Spread | +5.5 -112 | -5.5 -108 |
| Moneyline | +180 | -218 |
| Total | Over 46.5 (-112) | Under 46.5 (-108) |
| Where | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL | |
| When | Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
| Time | 12:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN | |
Vanderbilt Commodores Preview
Vanderbilt has a 10-2 record this season and finished 6-2 in the SEC. They are coming off a 45-24 road win against Tennessee. Offensively, Vanderbilt averages 39.4 points per game, ranking 8th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 21.9 points per game, which is 35th. Vanderbilt averages 468.5 total yards per game (282.6 passing and 185.9 rushing), while allowing 355.8 total yards per game (103.3 rushing and 252.5 passing).
Diego Pavia leads Vanderbilt with 3,192 passing yards with 71.2% completed passes and 27 touchdowns. Diego Pavia leads the team in rushing yards with 826, while Eli Stowers has a team-high 62 receptions for 769 receiving yards. Defensively, Bryan Longwell has a team-high 68 total tackles (34 of them solo), while Miles Capers leads the team in sacks, with 4.5, and Martel Hight leads the team with 3 interceptions.
Iowa Hawkeyes Preview
Iowa has an 8-4 record this season and finished 6-3 in the Big Ten. They are coming off a 40-16 road win against Nebraska. Offensively, Iowa averages 28.9 points per game, ranking 58th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 15.2 points per game, which is 6th. Iowa averages 315.2 total yards per game (137.4 passing and 177.8 rushing), while allowing 270.6 total yards per game (112.4 rushing and 158.2 passing).
Mark Gronowski leads Iowa with 1,529 passing yards with 62.5% completed passes and 8 touchdowns. Kamari Moulton leads the team in rushing yards with 783, while DJ Vonnahme has a team-high 22 receptions for 288 receiving yards. Defensively, Karson Sharar has a team-high 78 total tackles (39 of them solo), while Ethan Hurkett, Max Llewellyn lead the team in sacks, with 6 each, and Zach Lutmer leads the team with 3 interceptions.
Iowa Hawkeyes @ Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Trends: Bowl
Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win
- Iowa has lost each of its last 13 games against AP-ranked teams.
- The favorite has won each of Iowa’s last 15 games.
- Vanderbilt has covered the spread in each of its last six games.
- Iowa has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games as an underdog at neutral venues.
- Vanderbilt has won the first half in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win
- Vanderbilt has lost each of its last five games in Florida.
- Iowa has won 25 of its last 31 games against non-conference opponents.
- Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in Florida.
- Iowa has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 games.
- Iowa has won the first half in 11 of its last 14 games against non-conference opponents.
- Iowa has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Thirteen of Iowa’s last 14 games as an underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seventeen of Vanderbilt’s last 19 games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Vanderbilt Commodores Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, Diego Pavia ranks 5th amongst qualified players for passer rating (117.2) this season.
Iowa Hawkeyes Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, Kaden Wetjen is the only player in the FBS to have both a punt and kick return touchdown this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Vanderbilt ranks 3rd among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage this season (53.2).
- Vanderbilt ranks 4th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (10.3).
- Iowa ranks 1st among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (26.3).
- Iowa ranks 4th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (2.8).
Iowa vs Vanderbilt Prediction
In this Iowa vs Vanderbilt Prediction, Vanderbilt is coming as -4-point favorites. Vanderbilt has been the better team this season, as it has just two defeats in 12 games played but both teams have a 3-2 away record, as this game takes place in a neutral site. Both teams are coming into this matchup in good form, as they are 5-1 and 5-2 in their last 6 and 7 games respectively. Iowa has a superior defense, allowing 6.7 points per game less than Vanderbilt, so I expect them to keep this one close. Take Iowa and the +4 points in this one.