ESPN College Football

The Big Ten bowl season finally kicks off Tuesday night in the Arizona desert, as Iowa faces Missouri for the first time in a century.

Here's a quick preview of the Insight Bowl matchup:

WHO TO WATCH: Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn. The senior didn't have the dominant season many expected when he passed up a likely first-round selection in the NFL draft to return to school. But Clayborn certainly has the ability to step up in the spotlight. He proved it in the 2010 Orange Bowl, recording nine tackles and two sacks against Georgia Tech en route to winning game MVP honors. Iowa is short-handed on offense and needs a huge game from Clayborn and a veteran defensive line. Clayborn's ability to pressure Missouri senior quarterback Blaine Gabbert will play a major role in deciding the game.

WHAT TO WATCH: Iowa's short-handed offense. The Hawkeyes will play without record-setting receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and leading rusher Adam Robinson, both of whom are suspended. Given Iowa's end-of-season slide in production, the personnel losses could be especially damaging. This is a huge moment for senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi. He has improved in every statistical category, but his late-game mojo seems to have disappeared. If Stanzi can regain his magic and receive good protection against Missouri's talented defensive ends, he could do some damage.

WHY TO WATCH: The Hawkeyes' response from a rough patch both on and off the field will be fascinating. Iowa dropped its final three regular-season games and then endured the DJK mess and the suspension of Robinson. How will the Hawkeyes respond? They need their seniors on both sides of the ball to display strong leadership, particularly late in the game after blowing fourth-quarter leads in four of five regular-season losses. As disappointing as the season has been, Iowa still can win a third consecutive bowl game for the first time in team history.

PREDICTION: Iowa 21, Missouri 20. Bowl games have brought out the best in Iowa the past two seasons, and despite all the turmoil, I think the Hawkeyes' seniors will put together a good performance. The defensive line harasses Gabbert and forces several miscues, and Stanzi makes enough plays in the passing game to keep Iowa close. After so many close losses, Iowa finds a way to win a nailbiter.

Missouri has already secured its third 10-win season in four years under Gary Pinkel, as the Tigers prepare to face an Iowa team that lost its last three games. The Tigers enter favored by a field goal, and Iowa is hoping to secure a win to cap a disappointing season that began with legitimate Big 12 title hopes and a top-10 national ranking.

WHO TO WATCH: Missouri receiver T.J. Moe. The Tigers resident slot machine rang up 77 receptions and his 893 yards ranked fourth in the Big 12. The former high school quarterback suffered a broken foot as a freshman in 2009, and had just two catches for 8 yards. As a sophomore, he's emerged as one of the most difficult covers in the conference and the country. If Iowa lets the 6-foot, 200-pounder run free in the secondary, Missouri's offense will start humming and prove difficult to stop. Stopping Moe puts the Tigers a bit out of sync. He's been held to fewer than five catches just twice this season.

WHAT TO WATCH: Missouri's offensive line versus Iowa's defensive line. Headliner Adrian Clayborn didn't put up any record-setting numbers, but the Hawkeyes boast a fearsome front four that can disrupt Missouri's offense with plenty of penetration. Karl Klug and Mike Daniels must be slowed and contained for Missouri to earn a win. If not, expect quarterback Blaine Gabbert's pass attempts to balloon and the Tigers offense to turn one-dimensional.

WHY WATCH: To keep an eye on all the black-and-gold? I kid. The game features plenty of big names in Gabbert and Clayborn, as well as Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi. The Hawkeyes are playing without their top receiver and top running back, but both teams spent time in the top 10 and are the premier programs in their states. It should be quality football, and any time two clashing offenses like Iowa's power game and Missouri's spread get together -- offenses that personify their respective conferences -- there's a little bit more on the line.

PREDICTION: Missouri 27, Iowa 17. The Tigers struggle early on offense, but make a few adjustments to get things rolling in the second half while the Hawkeyes search for reliable options in their own offense.