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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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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) passes the ball during the first quarter of the SEC Championship college football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) passes the ball during the first quarter of the SEC Championship college football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Austin Appleby

If the Florida Gators are going to defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Outback Bowl, then Austin Appleby will need to step up. The senior quarterback will have one last game to solidify his legacy in Gainesville.

The potentially good news for Florida is that Appleby has played Iowa in the past and has actually performed rather well.

Appleby, who transferred from Purdue to Florida, has played Iowa in three different Big Ten games. He went 5-of-6 for 83 yards and a touchdown in 2013, but was just 2-of-6 for 11 yards and an interception in 2014.

Purdue lost the third outing, but Appleby produced strong numbers by completing 23 of his 40 throws for 259 yards and a touchdown.

If Appleby were to do exactly that in the Outback Bowl, it would likely be enough for the Gators to pull out a victory. The threat of the pass would be established and both the running game and the defense would have a lightened burden.

No matter what type of numbers Appleby posts, he must be able to complete the necessary throws and take care of the football.

Must Read: Offensive players who need to step up in the Outback Bowl

The Florida Gators can improve to 9-4 and end the 2016 season with a win, but they’ll need to step up in these five areas in order to do so.

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