JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One day after the nation watched the first college football playoff games that included SEC and Big Ten teams, two other teams from those conferences squared off in Friday's TaxSlayer Bowl.
The Tennessee Volunteers and Iowa Hawkeyes each were counting on a win in EverBank Field to end their mediocre seasons on a high note.
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The Hawkeyes dropped four of their last six games, including razer-close home losses to Wisconsin and Nebraska and ended the year 7-5. Tennessee won three of its final four for a 6-6 finish -- the Vols' best record since 2010.
But for locals not rooting for either team, the bowl is a Jacksonville tradition -- the 70th game in a series that was long known as the Gator Bowl. It is the sixth oldest college bowl game and was the first that was televised nationally.
Over the years the game has showcased many of college football's biggest names including Heisman Trophy winners George Rogers, Pat Sullivan, Earl Campbell and John David Crow. Outstanding players such as Dan Marino, Thurman Thomas, Archie Manning, Larry Csonka and Peyton Manning are also part of the Gator Bowl Mystique.
The bowl has also featured many of America's best coaches, including Bobby Bowden, Steve Spurrier and Vince Dooley.
Friday's matchup features two coaches at very different points in their careers.
Kirk Ferentz is in his 16th year as the Iowa coach and looking for his eighth eight-win season with the Hawkeyes. Despite the break-even season, Butch Jones has Tennessee back in a bowl game for the first time since 2010 in just his second season in Knoxville.
Local fans of both teams were delighted when the matchup was announced.
"Bought tickets right away," said Tennessee fan Ben Clark. "I can see my home-town team in my own backyard. It's a 10-minute drive instead of 12 hours to Knoxville."
"I don't have to drive as far or fly," said Iowa fan Trent Matthews. "Pretty convenient."