The Iowa Hawkeyes were already going to be shorthanded heading into their Music City Bowl matchup against the Missouri Tigers, as running back Kaleb Johnson opt

Despite a reported broken bone in his right hand, Jones practiced with the Hawkeyes on Friday. Jones had been held out of Thursday’s 11-on-11 work, but the 6-foot-3, 293 pound center was back into the mix on Friday sporting a big club on his right hand.

What opt-outs afford a developmental team like Iowa to do is to develop depth and get a few new looks at younger guys. This extra month of practice will give some of next year’s players a head start.

With Iowa remaining ever so stingy defensively, Douglas Farmer is backing the Hawkeyes when they take the field in Nashville.

Iowa vs. Missouri. Assess team strengths, key players, and tips for betting. Which program can end the year on a high note?