Bodog Beat

The first bowl game of 2009 is the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. (Wikimedia Images)

Getting up early for the 11 a.m. Eastern start (on ESPN, with live betting) are the Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) and the South Carolina Gamecocks (7-5 SU, 5-5-1 ATS).

Iowa came into the 2008 season with some buzz as a Big East contender, but started conference play with three straight losses, including a home game against Northwestern (+9.5). The Hawkeyes earned some redemption in Week 11 by dealing Penn State (-7.5 away) its only loss in a thrilling 24-23 final.

There was no redemption for South Carolina this year. The Gamecocks lost their last two games at Florida (-21) and Clemson (-1) to take some of the steam out of Steve Spurrier’s crew. That leaves South Carolina as a 4-point puppy with Iowa pulling in about three-quarters of the betting action.