It’s time we take a look at both teams to find out how they arrive to this Iowa vs Iowa State matchup so you can bet against the NCAAF odds.
#10 Iowa Hawkeyes vs #9 Iowa State Cyclones: College Football Betting Preview
After a resurgent 9 – 3 season where they won the Big 12 regular-season title for the first time, Iowa State had high hopes coming into 2021, returning 19 starters off a team that had the third-best offense and second-ranked defense in the conference. After their first two games a year ago by a combined seven points, Iowa won their last six games in 2020 with an average margin of victory of almost 22 points.
The Hawkeyes also played outstanding defense during their 6 – 2 campaign, finishing the season with the second-ranked unit in the Big Ten and eighth-best nationally. They picked up where they left off, beginning the 2021 season with a slight upset of then 17th ranked Indiana by the score of 34 – 6.
Iowa State narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat to FCS member Northern Iowa, managing just a field goal in the second half on their way to an unimpressive 16 – 10 victory. The Cyclones could manage only 335 yards of total offense after averaging 436 yards a game against an entirely FBS schedule in 2020.
Betting Odds
- Money Lines: Iowa (+160), Iowa State (-190)
- Spread: Iowa (+4.0) (-105), Iowa State (-4.0) (-115)
- Game Total: 46.0 (-110u, -110o)
Game Preview
There is unprecedented hype surrounding this game, with Iowa State posting four consecutive winning seasons under head coach Matt Campbell for the first time since five straight 4-3-1 records from 1923 to 1927. The game is being played for the second consecutive time at Iowa State because the teams didn’t play last year due to the Big Ten’s restriction against non-conference play.
ESPN’s College Gameday will be on hand in Ames for the 4:30 pm EDT contest that will be aired on ABC. Iowa has won the last five meetings between the in-state rivals, most recently 18 – 17 in 2019, and leads the series 45 – 22 that dates back to 1894 but wasn’t played from 1935 – 1976.
Iowa State’s performance in Week 1 should be a concern for Campbell, especially when they have to face an Iowa team that has now won seven games in a row while holding opponents to less than 13 points a contest. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker has the Hawkeyes playing at a high level, particularly against the run.
That could pose a problem for Iowa State, a team that relies on balance on offense and averaged 195 yards a game on the ground in 2020. They managed just 136 yards on the ground on 34 attempts last week against an FCS defense that isn’t close to what Iowa will present.
The Hawkeyes had their own offensive issues against Indiana, throwing for just 145 yards against a defense that was 10th in the conference against the pass in 2020. Half of their four touchdowns against the Hoosiers came on pick sixes on two of the three interceptions they grabbed on the way to holding Indiana to 156 yards passing and 77 on the ground.
Prediction
Iowa will continue to roll against their rival with a strong defensive effort.
- Iowa 24 Iowa State 21
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