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Florida Gators Football: Keys To Defeating Iowa Hawkeyes In Outback Bowl

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

4. C.J. Beathard

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a quarterback who either shows up with a stellar showing or struggles. The Florida Gators have two of the Top 5 cornerbacks in the country in Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson.

If Florida is going to emerge victories from the Outback Bowl, then the secondary and pass rush must force Beathard into a poor showing.

Beathard was 8-of-19 for 66 yards against the Michigan Wolverines and 9-of-17 for 80 yards against the Illinois Fighting Illini. He was 10-of-15 for 144 yards and three touchdowns in his most recent appearance, however, and that proves him to be quite the threat.

Beathard has 17 touchdowns to seven interceptions in 2016, and while he may not be the best quarterback in the country, he puts up points and takes care of the ball.

In order for Florida to win this game, the secondary must take advantage of the opportunities it has to force turnovers. Collapsing the pocket will go a long way towards doing that, but this is the type of game where simply playing intelligent football should win out.

Beathard hasn’t reached 250 passing yards in any game this season, but Florida cannot take the threat of the pass lightly.

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