Every year, the Big 10 and the Big 12 clash in the Insight Bowl. This year's meeting positions the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at 7-5 versus the University of Missouri Tigers at 10-2 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona in what should be another solid showdown.
If history has anything to say about it, well, there's really no telling what can happen.
From year to year, the Insight Bowl is completely unpredictable in its results. On the one hand, you have several close games that go down to the wire, including the single greatest comeback in NCAA Division 1 (FBS) postseason history. Formerly known as the Copper Bowl and Insight.com Bowl, the contest originated in 1989 and has featured MVP performances from NFL quarterbacks like Drew Bledsoe, Marc Bulger, Sage Rosenfels, Aaron Rodgers and Derek Anderson. Kansas WR Dezmon Briscoe won the offensive MVP trophy in 2008.
The aforementioned comeback happened just four seasons ago with Texas Tech rallying back from a 38-7 deficit with 7:47 remaining in the third quarter to defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers in overtime, 44-41. Those familiar with the game will remember well Graham Harrell's heroics and Mike Leach's kids coming back in an almost unbelievable way. It's still the only overtime game in the Insight Bowl's history.
Last year, Iowa State barely edged Minnesota (who is 0-3 in Insight Bowls) 14-13 and the Big 12 has won the last four contests, dating back to the famous Texas Tech comeback. Kansas also won the Insight Bowl just two seasons ago in a blowout over, you guessed it, Minnesota, 42-21.
Recent history appears to be on the Big 12's side and Missouri only wishes it was the University of Minnesota listed opposite them in this year's slate.