Iowa lost its chance at a Rose Bowl berth Saturday night when the Hawkeyes fell to Michigan 42-3 in the Big Ten Championship game, but the 2022 Citrus Bowl is a great reward for a 10-3 season. The 9-3 Kentucky Wildcats will be Iowa’s opponent.
The Citrus Bowl is a New Year’s Day bowl and one of the best landing sports for teams outside the College Football Playoff top 10.
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Iowa has made only one previous appearance in the Citrus Bowl, but it was a memorable one. Drew Tate found WR Warren Holloway with a 56-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the 2005 Citrus Bowl.
With a history that dates back to 1947, the Citrus Bowl is the nation’s seventh-oldest bowl. It was originally called the Tangerine Bowl.
Elks Lodge #1079 of Orlando originally sponsored the game — members chipped in $100 each to make the game happen. Now Vrbo is the title sponsor.
The game has been a New Year’s Day staple since 1987 and the bowl has maintained its Big Ten vs. SEC matchup since 1993.
The Hawkeyes are No. 15 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. No. 22 Kentucky awaited its bowl destination since its regular season ended on Nov. 27 with a 52-21 win over Louisville. The Wildcats finished second in the SEC East. Iowa won the Big Ten West.
How to watch the Iowa bowl game
- When: Noon Saturday, Jan. 1
- Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando
- Opponent: Kentucky (9-3) of the SEC Conference
- TV: ABC
How the Citrus Bowl matchup is set
The Citrus Bowl gets the first choice of teams from the conferences once the College Football Playoff and the College Football Playoff Selection Committee bowls (Rose, Sugar, Cotton, Fiesta, Peach and Orange) are filled.
The upcoming Citrus Bowl will feature the fourth choice from both conferences because:
- The SEC is sending No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia to the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss is going to the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
- The Big Ten will send No. 2 Michigan to the College Football Playoff. No. 6 Ohio State is going to the Rose Bowl and No. 10 Michigan State is on its way to the Peach Bowl.
Citrus Bowl wagers: Bet in Iowa, cheer in Orlando
Hawkeyes fans who like a convenient betting experience may want to place their bets from their home computers or mobile devices before the trip to Orlando.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a Compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to allow mobile betting in the Sunshine State. Judge Dabney Friedrich threw out the agreement, however. The judge said sports betting violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), so mobile sports bets are a no-go in Florida right now.
Iowa Hawkeyes bets are a clear and easy process for fans in Iowa over the age of 21. The state took its first sports bets in August of 2019. At first, customers had to visit an Iowa casino to set up a sportsbook account.
The state allowed that requirement to sunset on Jan. 1, 2021. Now, customers can register and bet from anywhere in Iowa using a home computer or mobile device.
How to attend the 2022 Citrus Bowl
Citrus Bowl tickets range from $68 to $190. The west side of Camping World Stadium is where Iowa will be housed. Students can purchase tickets through the University of Iowa box office as well.
Each participating university will get an allotment of tickets for the game.
Local health and safety protocols are subject to change right up until game day at Camping World Stadium. Iowa and Florida have similar approaches to COVID-19 precautions, but pack a mask and bring a vaccination card just in case. The Citrus Bowl also has a clear bag policy. It limits the type and size of the bag allowed in the stadium.
Camping World Stadium parking comes with a permit process. The Citrus Bowl recommends Orlando’s downtown shuttle service for fans who don’t have a parking permit. Tailgating is allowed, but any trailers for smokers, etc. need a separate parking permit.
Aside from football, Orlando considers itself the “No. 1 family destination” with seven top theme parks led by Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando.
