CEDAR RAPIDS - Nearly 500 Hawkeye football fans boarded planes today, heading to the Sunshine State and Thursday's Outback Bowl.

Excitement filled the air at the Eastern Iowa Airport this morning.

Fans were certainly spreading some Hawkeye cheer and everyone seems eager for two things: good weather and a big Hawkeye win.

Wearing black and gold, Hawkeye fans were in high spirits as they waiting to head to Tampa.

Die-hard football fan Liz McGauvran of Clinton, Iowa has been rooting for the Hawkeyes since "as long as I can remember," she says. "I've been going to games since I was the height of a grasshopper."

McGauvran has been to bowl games before.

It is becoming a family tradition.

Once her plane touches down, she is ready for two specific things.

"Warm weather and a Hawkeye win," said McGauvran. "Not in that order."

Other fans share McGauvran's sentiment.

"This is my third time down to the Outback Bowl," Alex Hruby, a University of Iowa freshman from Coralville, Iowa. "So I'm definitely looking for another victory. Probably the beach, warm weather, away from Iowa, a lot of fun."

"Sitting in the sun getting," said Tyler Meade of Iowa City. "Getting away from the cold weather and the ice. Going to be nice to take a break."

Meade is going to Florida to watch his brother: Hawkeye right guard #61Travis Meade.

Travis has told his family his team is ready for the big game.

"I'm sure by New Year's Eve they're going to be ready to hit anybody but they're own players," said Tim Meade of Iowa City.

These fans are already speculating the game's final score.

"A lot to a little," said Tyler Meade. "28-13 [for] Iowa."

"34-10," said Arnie Dahlen of Decorah.

Fans are going to make sure they cheer the Hawks to victory.

Three final chartered flights full of Hawkeye fans will leave for Tampa tomorrow morning.