Predictions and 5 things to watch in the Rose Bowl

Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual

Stanford (11-2) vs. Iowa (12-1)
Pasadena, California
Jan. 1, 2016

The Rose Bowl is a consolation game of sorts for both Iowa and Stanford.

Both teams were poised for spots in the College Football Playoff and both teams were locked out — or knocked out in the case of Iowa — following the final week of the regular season.

The Rose Bowl has become sort of a second home to Stanford. This is the Cardinal’s third trip to Pasadena in the past four seasons. Iowa, on the other hand, is making its first trip to Pasadena since 1991.

Here are five things to watch in this game:

Christian McCaffrey: There is no more diverse player in college football than running back Christian McCaffrey. He proved this during the Pac-12 title game when he rushed for a score, passed for a score and caught a score en route to the best day of his career. Iowa has done well against the rush this season, but it hasn’t seen a back as dynamic as McCaffrey.

Don’t discount Iowa’s running game: While McCaffrey is going to get all the media attention, the Hawkeyes running back corps, which center around Jordan Canzeri, LeShun Daniels Jr., Derrick Mitchell Jr., and Akrum Wadley, have provided the Hawkeyes at least 100 yards in every game. Canzeri is the workhorse with 976 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Iowa rushing offense averages 192.9 yards per contest.

Kevin Hogan’s swan song: In his last two games, Hogan, Stanford's winningest quarterback, has completed 35 of 44 (79.5%) passes, and against USC in the Pac-12 title game, he threw for a touchdown, caught a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown. Hogan started the season shaky, but he’s definitely complemented McCaffrey late.

Fear the Iowa defense:

Wisconsin proved during the Holiday Bowl that Big Ten defenses are something to be feared and Iowa was among the best in the conference. The Hawkeyes ranked 20th in total defense allowing 334.2 yards per game, and 11th nationally against the run at just 114.9 yards per game. Stanford’s offense goes the way McCaffrey goes, so if Iowa can bottle him up, the Hawkeyes could shut Stanford down early. This is a Hawkeye team that held opponents to 17 or fewer points in seven games this season.

Special teams: Again, McCaffrey gets a lot of pub for his all-everything abilities, but Iowa is no slouch when it comes to kick returns. Cornerback Desmond King averages 25.6 yards per kick return. He hasn’t scored on a kick or punt return this season, but he’s come pretty close and could be a difference in this contest.

Picks

Graham: Iowa has had a great run, but Stanford has been playing really well in the past few games. If the Cardinal can get creative with McCaffrey like it did in the Pac-12 title game, the Cardinal will win. Stanford 24, Iowa 14.

Nick: Determination. Power football. I am running out of football cliches. Either team winning wouldn't surprise me in this one. I'll take the better quarterback in Kevin Hogan. Stanford 24, Iowa 20.

Sam: This is one of the more evenly matched bowls this year, but the Kevin Hogan/Christian McCaffrey combination gives Stanford the edge. I like the Cardinal in a close one, 24-20

For more Stanford news, visit CardinalSportsReport.com.

For more Iowa news, visit HawkeyeReport.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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