By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The 15th-ranked Iowa football team will take its six-game winning streak to Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 30 to face Missouri in the Music City Bowl.

The two teams last faced off in the 2010 Insight Bowl, which Iowa won 27-24.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said Sunday that he is excited for the opportunity.

“We’re very happy to learn that we’re playing in the Music City Bowl,” Ferentz said. “Thrilled to get that news and looking forward to going to Nashville. We’ve got a big challenge playing Missouri. It’s a great reward for our players, an opportunity for us to be together for another 10 days here, and have a chance to compete one more time.”

This will be the first Music City Bowl appearance for Iowa.

Ferentz said the proximity of Nashville is a big advantage over other bowl destinations like Florida, where Iowa has played in 10 bowl games in Ferentz’s 22 years.

“The nice thing about this is just easier access for families,” Ferentz said. “As well as fans.They can get in their car and drive there. It’s not a hard drive at all. So, I think that part is different. From that standpoint, it’s better than Tampa.”

Missouri enters the game with a 5-5 record, but lost its final two regular season games to Georgia and Mississippi State by a combined score of 100-46.

Iowa rebounded from early season losses to Purdue and Northwestern to finish with a 6-2 regular season record.

The Hawkeyes were scheduled to play Michigan on Dec. 19, but the game was canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Michigan program.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is currently in isolation after it was announced Friday that he tested positive for the virus.

Ferentz said Sunday that he is feeling better and expects to be cleared next weekend, but declined to comment about whether or not there were other COVID issues within the program.

Ferentz also declined to comment when asked who would fill in the head coaching duties were he unable to do so.

The Music City Bowl will be televised by ESPN at 3 p.m., and attendance will be limited.

Ferentz said Sunday that his team will treat this game like an away game and arrive in Nashville the day before.

Tickets for the 2020 TransPerfect Music City Bowl are available now at www.musiccitybowl.com.  This bowl season, the Music City Bowl will be following the guidelines under the Nissan Stadium Safe Stadium Plan, which keeps fans safety and health a priority.  With these guidelines, there will be a reduced capacity as well as implementing 100 percent mobile ticketing and parking.

Tickets will only be available through the Music City Bowl website.