It’s most likely that the Big Ten West Division champion – one of the weakest Power 5 divisions in college football – is going to be either Wisconsin or Iowa. The No. 18 Badgers visit the unranked Hawkeyes on Saturday night in the Big Ten game of the day. UW is an NCAAF odds road favorite but not as big as it would have been before last week.
The winner of the Wisconsin vs. Iowa duel has gone on to represent the Big Ten West in the conference title game every season since the current East-West divisional format — a seven-team split — was introduced in 2014. The Badgers advanced in ’14, ’16 and ’17. The Hawkeyes prevailed in 2015.
While Iowa (3-0) is yet to face a quality opponent, only Michigan State has fared better against the run among FBS teams over the season’s first three weeks. The Hawkeyes are allowing 42 rushing yards per game, making UW’s path to a more consistent ground game this week a difficult one. The Hawkeyes allow just 1.5 yards per carry, second in the Big Ten (Michigan State, 1.3) and third in the country. Iowa has allowed just 40 first downs, fewer than any other Big Ten team and tied for sixth fewest in the country.
Iowa also ranks in a tie for third among FBS teams with 12 sacks, 10 of which have come from defensive linemen, while UW’s surrendered six sacks through three games. DE A.J. Epenesa leads the team with four sacks. He is tied for the Big Ten lead and tied for fourth in the NCAA.
The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten and rank second in the country in scoring defense (8.0). The Hawkeyes have allowed 24 points through three games, their lowest total to start the season since surrendering eight points through the first three games in 2008. Iowa’s point differential (60) is also the highest since 2008 (97).
TE Noah Fant has 14 career touchdown receptions, more than any other tight end in program history and tying Clinton Solomon for ninth all-time in program history. Thirteen of Fant’s touchdown receptions have come from QB Nate Stanley over the Hawkeyes’ last 16 games. Stanley has three touchdown passes this season, raising his career total to 29. He is one shy of tying Brad Banks for 10th all-time in program history.
Wisconsin vs Iowa NCAA Football Week 4 Odds & Prediction
“A season is a lot like a game…
“You hope that every drive goes your way, but if it doesn’t how do you respond?” Coach Chryst previews Iowa pic.twitter.com/8jaP9N9iUL — Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) 20 de septiembre de 2018
- When: Saturday, 8:30 PM ET
- Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City
- TV: Fox
- Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
- Radio: TuneIn
- NCAA Football Week 4 Odds: UW -3 (43.5)
Army vs Oklahoma College Football Week 4 Lines & Preview
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 15°C/59°F
- Humidity: 68%
- Precipitation: 3%
- Cloud Cover: 4%
- Wind: 2 mph ENE
- Stadium Type: Open
Last Season
Iowa lost at No. 8 Wisconsin 38-14. Kendric Pryor scored twice, and Wisconsin relied on its stifling D to overcome four turnovers and Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson’s two touchdowns. That clinched the West Division for UW. Leon Jacobs recovered two fumbles — one returned for a score — and fellow linebacker T.J. Edwards had an interception for the Badgers. The Hawkeyes were held to 66 total yards, the fewest ever allowed by the Badgers to a Big Ten opponent. Iowa went 0 of 13 on third down and had five first downs. But Wisconsin turnovers kept them in the game.Why Bet on Wisconsin?
The Badgers know they can’t lose again and make the College Football Playoff following last week’s 24-21 home shocker to then-unranked BYU. It was UW’s first non-conference home loss since 2003 and ended its 41-game nonconference winning streak overall, the longest active in the nation. UW’s last non-conference loss at Camp Randall came in a 23-5 setback to UNLV on Sept. 13, 2003. Wisconsin had the last shot to avoid an upset with a drive that started with 3:55 left at the 8. But normally reliable senior kicker Rafael Gaglianone’s 42-yard field goal attempt to tie with 41 seconds left went wide left. UW quarterback Alex Hornibrook threw for 190 yards, giving him 4,501 career passing yards to rank eighth all-time at UW. Jonathan Taylor finished with 117 yards rushing, topping the 100-yard mark for the 13th time in 17 career games. According to Football Power Index, Wisconsin would have a 71 percent chance to win the West Division with a win on Saturday, while Iowa would have a 68 percent chance if it wins. Taylor ranks second nationally with 515 rushing yards and has already scored five touchdowns. Hornibrook’s completed 63.2 percent of his passes this season for 595 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. UW has won in each of its last 4 trips to Iowa City (in 2010, ’13, ’14 and ’16) and has claimed 5 of the last 6 overall meetings between the Badgers and Hawkeyes. The Badgers are 14-1 (.933) in true road games under Paul Chryst. UW has won 9 straight road games, the nation’s 2nd-longest active streak behind Oklahoma (17). The Badgers have won 15 straight regular-season Big Ten games, dating back to 2016, the longest conference win streak in school history. Wisconsin needs one more victory to join the 700 Club in Football Bowl Subdivision history (699-491-53). It would be the 26th school overall and fifth current member of the Big Ten to reach that milestone.Why Bet on Iowa?
The winner of the Wisconsin vs. Iowa duel has gone on to represent the Big Ten West in the conference title game every season since the current East-West divisional format — a seven-team split — was introduced in 2014. The Badgers advanced in ’14, ’16 and ’17. The Hawkeyes prevailed in 2015.
While Iowa (3-0) is yet to face a quality opponent, only Michigan State has fared better against the run among FBS teams over the season’s first three weeks. The Hawkeyes are allowing 42 rushing yards per game, making UW’s path to a more consistent ground game this week a difficult one. The Hawkeyes allow just 1.5 yards per carry, second in the Big Ten (Michigan State, 1.3) and third in the country. Iowa has allowed just 40 first downs, fewer than any other Big Ten team and tied for sixth fewest in the country.
Iowa also ranks in a tie for third among FBS teams with 12 sacks, 10 of which have come from defensive linemen, while UW’s surrendered six sacks through three games. DE A.J. Epenesa leads the team with four sacks. He is tied for the Big Ten lead and tied for fourth in the NCAA.
The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten and rank second in the country in scoring defense (8.0). The Hawkeyes have allowed 24 points through three games, their lowest total to start the season since surrendering eight points through the first three games in 2008. Iowa’s point differential (60) is also the highest since 2008 (97).
TE Noah Fant has 14 career touchdown receptions, more than any other tight end in program history and tying Clinton Solomon for ninth all-time in program history. Thirteen of Fant’s touchdown receptions have come from QB Nate Stanley over the Hawkeyes’ last 16 games. Stanley has three touchdown passes this season, raising his career total to 29. He is one shy of tying Brad Banks for 10th all-time in program history.
TCU at Texas 2018 NCAA Football Week 4 Spread & Pick
Latest Wisconsin vs Iowa NCAA Football Week 4 Betting Trends
- Badgers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record
- Badgers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss
- Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings
- Road team is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings
- Wisconsin is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Wisconsin’s last 7 games
- Iowa is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Iowa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Iowa’s last 12 games at home
