Inside The Hawkeyes

First ReliaQuest Bowl Opt-Out Favors Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes will catch a break not having to see this All-American tight end.
Jordon Lawrenz|
Nov 8, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers (9) against the Auburn Tigers during pre-game warmups at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers (9) against the Auburn Tigers during pre-game warmups at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Iowa Hawkeyes

Come December 31, the Iowa Hawkeyes will step onto the field for the final time. They're tasked with putting their 8-4 record to the test against a 10-2 Vanderbilt team that just lost one of their star players.

Brandon Marcello reported that the Commodores All-American tight end, Eli Stowers, is opting out of the game. Raymond James Stadium will not have a chance to see Stowers, a player who was by far quarterback Diego Pavia's favorite target.

Knowing this, one can only wonder what other dominoes will follow. The Hawkeyes remain 5.5 point underdogs, but this changes everything for the way they'll approach their defense.

Iowa's Defense Catches Break With Stowers Opting Out

While he didn't average the most yards per reception on the team, Stowers led the way with 62 receptions. That was by far the most on the team as no other player had more than 46. Stowers led the way with 769 receiving yards, a new career high for the senior.

Standing 6'4'' 235-pounds, it's no secret why this was Pavia's favorite target. The Heisman Finalist would get bailed out by his TE time and time again. While Pavis's status is still up in the air, Iowa has already caught a huge break not having to face Stowers.

When the Hawkeyes played Indiana back on September 27, Charlie Becker was a non-factor. Of all the major players they've faced this season, Becker is the closest comparable player to Stowers. While it isn't an exact comparison, it would've been nice to see how Iowa matches up against a player like Stowers.

Vanderbilt's Offense Takes A Huge Hit

Having scored 45 points in their last three games, the Commodores know they're set to face an Iowa team that prides themselves on their defense. There are going to be punts, field goals, and maybe even a safety or two in Tampa as that's the Hawkeyes style of football.

This B1G vs. SEC Bowl Game provides a unique opportunity for each team at the end of their season. While the Hawkeyes are set to put seemingly every big name they have on the field, Stowers opting out shows where his priorities are. If this is only step one for Vanderbilt, Iowa could be set to face their backup quarterback and weapons on offense that saw little to no targets during the regular season. Here in the modern era of college football, we've come to expect nothing less.

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Jordon Lawrenz
JORDON LAWRENZ

Jordon Lawrenz serves as the Eastern United States College Recruiting beat writer On SI. Jordon is an accomplished writer covering the NFL, MLB, and college football/basketball. He has contributed to PFSN’s and Heavy’s NFL coverage. Having graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay with a Sports Communication and Journalism degree, Jordon fully embraced the sports writing lifestyle upon his relocation to Florida.

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