5 Bold Predictions For Stanford vs. Iowa in Rose Bowl

5 Bold Predictions For Stanford-Iowa In Rose Bowl

The 102nd edition of the Rose Bowl features a traditional-looking Big Ten/Pac-12 (Pac-10 for the older crowd) matchup this year, with the Stanford Cardinal (11-2) taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes (12-1). The New Year's Day game will be the first-ever football matchup between the two schools. Here are five bold predictions for the 2016 rendition of the "Grand Daddy of Them All."

5 Bold Predictions For Stanford-Iowa In Rose Bowl

The 102nd edition of the Rose Bowl features a traditional-looking Big Ten/Pac-12 (Pac-10 for the older crowd) matchup this year, with the Stanford Cardinal (11-2) taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes (12-1). The New Year's Day game will be the first-ever football matchup between the two schools. Here are five bold predictions for the 2016 rendition of the "Grand Daddy of Them All."

5. There Will Be More Passing Touchdowns Than Rushing Touchdowns In the Game

Stanford and Iowa both have stout run defenses, which will make it hard for either team to do anything substantial on the ground in the red zone. Reaching pay dirt will frequently be put on the arms of quarterbacks Kevin Hogan and C.J. Beathard.

5. There Will Be More Passing Touchdowns Than Rushing Touchdowns In the Game

Stanford and Iowa both have stout run defenses, which will make it hard for either team to do anything substantial on the ground in the red zone. Reaching pay dirt will frequently be put on the arms of quarterbacks Kevin Hogan and C.J. Beathard.

4. I'll Take the Over

Betting should only be done responsibly and legally (wink, wink), but the over-under for the Rose Bowl is currently 53.5 (via Vegas Insider.com). I'll make a bold statement and say betting the over will be the winning proposition.

4. I'll Take the Over

Betting should only be done responsibly and legally (wink, wink), but the over-under for the Rose Bowl is currently 53.5 (via Vegas Insider.com). I'll make a bold statement and say betting the over will be the winning proposition.

3. QB C.J. Beathard Will Be Iowa's Leading Rusher

Beathard is Iowa's fourth-leading rusher this season, in both yards (270) and touchdowns (six). Stanford has a top-50 run defense (146.9 yards per game, 44th in the country), so the Hawkeyes will need their quarterback to provide some extra production on the ground.

3. QB C.J. Beathard Will Be Iowa's Leading Rusher

Beathard is Iowa's fourth-leading rusher this season, in both yards (270) and touchdowns (six). Stanford has a top-50 run defense (146.9 yards per game, 44th in the country), so the Hawkeyes will need their quarterback to provide some extra production on the ground.

2. Stanford QB Kevin Hogan Will Not Commit a Turnover

The Hawkeyes have a ball-hawking secondary, led by cornerback Desmond King (eight interceptions this season). But Hogan has been very efficient this year, ranking in the top-10 in the country in completion percentage (68.6) and passer rating (170.1) while throwing just seven interceptions in 283 pass attempts. Something will have to give on Friday, and I just don't see Iowa forcing any mistakes out of Hogan.

2. Stanford QB Kevin Hogan Will Not Commit a Turnover

The Hawkeyes have a ball-hawking secondary, led by cornerback Desmond King (eight interceptions this season). But Hogan has been very efficient this year, ranking in the top-10 in the country in completion percentage (68.6) and passer rating (170.1) while throwing just seven interceptions in 283 pass attempts. Something will have to give on Friday, and I just don't see Iowa forcing any mistakes out of Hogan.

1. Christian McCaffrey Will Not Rush For 100 Yards

Stanford's Heisman Trophy finalist leads the country in all-purpose yards (268.9 yards per game) and he is fifth in the FBS in rushing yards per game (142). But Iowa has allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season, and they have the 10th-best run defense in the country (114.9 yards per game). McCaffrey may account for plenty of yards in the Rose Bowl, he just won't reach the century mark solely on the ground.

1. Christian McCaffrey Will Not Rush For 100 Yards

Stanford's Heisman Trophy finalist leads the country in all-purpose yards (268.9 yards per game) and he is fifth in the FBS in rushing yards per game (142). But Iowa has allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season, and they have the 10th-best run defense in the country (114.9 yards per game). McCaffrey may account for plenty of yards in the Rose Bowl, he just won't reach the century mark solely on the ground.