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Iowa vs Penn State NCAA Football Week 9 Betting Prediction

Iowa vs Penn State NCAA Football Week 9 Betting Prediction

Written by on October 25, 2018

Trace McSorley and the 17th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions will look to take down Nate Stanley and the surprising, one-loss, 18th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes in order to keep their slim, Big Ten conference championship hopes alive as the 2018 NCAAF regular season inches closer toward its all-important conference championship contests.

With NCAAF Betting favorite Penn State looking to record consecutive victories and the Hawkeyes looking for their fourth straight win, let’s find out if Penn State will get the win or if Iowa can get the big road upset to move up the national rankings heading into Week 10.  

Iowa vs Penn State NCAA Football Week 9 Betting Prediction

 
  • When: Saturday, October 27, 2018, 3:30 PM ET
  • Where: Beaver Stadium
  • TV: ESPN
  • Radio: TuneIn
  • Live Stream: WatchESPN
  • NCAA Football Week 9 Betting Odds: Penn State -6.5 (Total 52)
 

Kansas State vs Oklahoma NCAA Football Week 9 Spread & Pick

 

Weather Forecast

  • Mostly Cloudy: 23°C/73°F
  • Humidity: 46%
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Cloud Cover: 61%
  • Wind: 11 mph W
  • Stadium Type: Open
 

Why Bet On Iowa?

Why should you bet on Iowa to get the big upset over Penn State? Well, there are a few reasons. First, Iowa has the better defense in this contest and one of the best defenses in the nation in limiting the opposition to just 14.1 points per game to rank a stupendous fifth nationally in points allowed.

There’s also the fact that the Hawkeyes have won three straight in emphatic fashion including their 23-0 shutout win over beleaguered Maryland last weekend as a 9.5-point home favorite. Last but not least, Iowa wants some revenge for their heartbreaking 21-19 home loss to Penn State last season.  

Team Stats

Offense
  • Average Score For: 30.57
  • Total Yards: 397.29
  • Rush Yards: 165.43
  • Passing Yards: 231.86
Defense
  • Average Score Against: 14.14
  • Total Yards: 258.14
  • Rush Yards: 79.57
  • Passing Yards: 178.57
 

Why Bet On Penn State?

Why should you bet on the Nittany Lions in Week 9? There are a bunch of great reasons to back Penn State. First, Trace McSorley and company are far more explosive than their Iowa counterparts in averaging a stellar 42.6 points per game compared to the Hawkeyes’ more modest 30.6 points per contest.

Then, there’s the fact that the Nittany Lions have dominated the Hawkeyes in head coach James Franklin’s tenure, having won four straight while covering the spread in three of those meetings. Then, there’s the fact that the Nittany Lions have a pretty good defense of their own (22.0 ppg, 36th) and are playing at home.

Last but not least, Penn State has the best quarterback in this contest and probably the best player period in Heisman trophy contending quarterback Trace McSorley. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 33-28 road win over Indiana last weekend despite failing to cover the spread as a two-touchdown favorite.  

Team Stats

Offense
  • Average Score For: 42.57
  • Total Yards: 480.57
  • Rush Yards: 240.57
  • Passing Yards: 240.00
Defense
  • Average Score Against: 22.00
  • Total Yards: 392.00
  • Rush Yards: 165.14
  • Passing Yards: 226.86
 

Cincinnati vs SMU NCAA Football Week 9 Lines & Analysis

 

Latest Iowa vs Penn State NCAA Football Week 9 Betting Trends

  • Iowa is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
  • Iowa is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iowa’s last 5 games
  • Penn State is 17-7-1 ATS in its last 25 games
  • Penn State is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of Penn State’s last 10 games
 

Expert Analysis & Score Prediction

I’m not going to waste a lot of time with my pick on this intriguing Week 9 matchup seeing as how Penn State has looked completely awful in each of their last three games while Iowa is playing with clearly increasing confidence.

The Hawkeyes are an unblemished 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games and a near-perfect 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall. While the Nittany Lions have gone 12-4-2 ATS in their last 18 home games, 15-6-1 ATS in their last 22 conference games and 21-7-2 ATS in their last 30 games overall, Iowa is 10-5 ATS in the last 15 meetings against Penn State.

With Penn State playing poorly and Iowa looking like the more consistent team, I’m going with the Hawkeyes for the outright road win!

Score: Iowa 28 – Penn State 27