Florida Gators-Iowa: Three thoughts on the Outback Bowl

With the national title game coming to Tampa next month, I'm settling into College Football Playoff mode. In the spirit of not skimping on the other bowl games, here are three random thoughts about the Florida Gators' Jan. 2 showdown against Iowa in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

1. If you're looking for offensive optimism, watch the skill players. UF's starting quqarterback, Austin Appleby, won't be here next year, and I'm not expecting Luke Del Rio to be starting in Week 1 next year. The Gators don't plan to burn a redshirt on either freshman quarterback, Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask, so we won't get a peek of their future there. But we'll see it everywhere else, like standout…