When the thermometer struggles to reach zero a trip to Tampa, Florida can be even more appealing. The team departed Monday for Tampa, in preparation for the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day against LSU. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the focus in practice has turned to LSU. Ferentz says the players will get their work done but still have a chance to enjoy the activities that go with a bowl game. Ferentz says as game day nears the focus will turn to football and so far, he says practices have gone well.

The Outback Bowl will be the final game for the Hawkeye seniors but not for All Big Ten offensive tackle Brandon Scherff. The Denison native announced earlier this month that will pass up a chance to enter the NFL draft and will return for his senior season. Scherff says there was no reason to research the possibility of entering the draft, because he’s already made up his mind.

Iowa is 8-4 and LSU is 9-3.

(Radio Iowa)