Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (12) is tackled by Iowa defensive lineman Deontae Craig, left, and Iowa defensive lineman Aaron Graves,

TAMPA, Fla. — Aaron Graves loves the bowl season.

Even the goal is always to reach the playoffs, but when that doesn’t come to fruition, the chance to play in a bowl game is also important.

“Even more than ever, people overlook bowl games — it’s playoffs or bust,” Graves said. “I strongly disagree with that. There is a lot of value in a bowl game. It gives you another chance to play and another chance against a good opponent.

“We are just as excited and don’t take it likely. I think it’s ridiculous to not want to play in a bowl game. We’ve had a month to prepare and we’re ready to go.”

Iowa will meet Vanderbilt in the Reliaquest Bowl, their 13th straight overall bowl trip and 38th overall. They are 18-18-1 in bowl contests.

The Reliaquest Bowl will be Thursday at 11 a.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

This will be the fourth game that the Southeast Valley graduate will play in. He’s played in the Music City Bowl twice and the Citrus Bowl.

Graves was part of the Hawkeyes 21-0 win over Kentucky in 2022.

This will be the first meeting between the two squads as the Hawkeyes (8-4 overall) will meet the 14th-ranked Commodores (10-2).

Vanderbilt enters on a three-game win streak. The Commodores have beaten five ranked teams this season, winning their first five games. Their only two losses are to two Top-15 teams (Alabama and Texas).

“A lot of good players on their team, good roster, which is what it takes to win in that conference,” said Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz. “They’re well-coached, and they play with great effort, and they’re very sound fundamentally. Really impressed with clark Lea. I’ve been an admirer of his from a distance here the last several years, watching him build the program brick by brick, and you started seeing some of the fruits of their labors last year, and obviously this year had a tremendous season.”

The Commodores are led by quarterback Diego Pavia, who was second in the Heisman Voting. Pavia has thrown for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns. He has rushed for 826 yards and nine touchdowns.

Pavia played for New Mexico junior college inside Dodger Stadium against Iowa Central in 2021.

“I think maybe the most important thing he (Diego Pavia) does, and this is what good quarterbacks do is just how they impact their team, regardless of how tall they are, how tall they aren’t, whatever their style of play may be,” Ferentz said. “But does his team believe in him, do they move when that player is in the game.”

Iowa has had over a month off after beating Nebraska 40-16 in Lincoln.

Ferentz has had over a week to prepare and is ready for the Hawks to take on the Commodores.

“You have to try to use your best judgement,” Ferentz said. “There’s no perfect formula. As much as anything, it’s just how the players handle it. I think that’s how their response is what’s key, and the guys have been great.

“They’ve really been practicing well, so I’m happy about that and relatively healthy, so that’s good news, as well.”

Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski has thrown for 1,529 yards and eight touchdowns. Gronowski has rushed for 15 touchdowns.

Kamari Moulton is the leading rusher for the Hawkeyes, running for 783 yards and four touchdowns.

Graves has 36 tackles, five sacks and one interception against Wisconsin he returned for 35 yards, inches short of his first career touchdown.