Iowa football: Five non-conference matchups we would like to see

By Andrew Wade | Jul 20, 2019

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 2: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes breaks a tackle by defensive back Duke Dawson #7 of the Florida Gators during a carry in the second quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game on January 2, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

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TEMPE, AZ – DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Paul Chaney, Jr. of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with the football against the Missouri Tigers during the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Missouri Tigers

The Iowa football team plays a school from every state it borders besides South Dakota and Missouri during its regular-season football schedule. South Dakota makes sense because there isn’t a major program there, but why not head south and take on the Missouri Tigers?

Columbia and Iowa City are just four hours apart, so it would be an easy trek for either team or they could head to a relatively neutral site in St. Louis or Chicago to take each other on.

Although these two teams haven’t faced off a ton (just 8 times total), it would be a fun annual event that could mirror the progression of the Nebraska-Iowa rivalry. Both of these schools are prideful, and being so close together would make it a good time.

More importantly though, the Missouri Tigers play in the SEC, and if Gary Barta is looking to boost the resume of the Iowa football team, no better opportunity to do that then to take on an SEC school, especially one like Missouri, who isn’t typically the leader of the pack in the SEC.

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