Iowa St at Iowa – Preview and Prediction
IOWA 15.5 IOWA ST 51.5
Implied Projected Score: Iowa 33.5 Iowa St 18
MEGALOCKS LINE – Iowa 17
The Game
The Cy-Hawk Trophy is on the line Saturday afternoon in Iowa City as the Hawkeyes and Cyclones renew their bitter rivalry. Iowa comes in off a decisive win over Miami Ohio….or was it ?….They were outgained in that game (?). Iowa St is smarting after a 25-20 loss to FCS opponent Northern Iowa in week one action.
The Match-Up
Iowa vs Iowa St defense
The Hawkeyes had their typical game last week. Good balance. Timely defense. Score points. QB CJ Beathard was efficient and completed 65% of his passes and the ground game was very effective. The Cyclones have up 260 yards rushing in last year’s match-up and we have zero reason to believe they will be able to stop the Hawkeyes on Saturday. Iowa St will need to force some turnovers and hold down #1 WR Matt Vandeberg.
Iowa St offense vs Iowa defense
Iowa St has a really good running back in Mike Warren (1,300 yards LY) but the Cyclones ground game was brutal against Northern Iowa in week one. They could only muster 51 net rushing yards and Warren was a non-factor. The good news for Cyclones’s fans is that QB Joel Lanning looked good AND the Iowa defense gave up 424 yards (?) to Miami Ohio last week. There is some potential here. The problem is that ground game is probably going to have no chance vs the Iowa front 7. Hence the 16 point spread.
Tasty Tidbits
Headache time again for OBSESSIVE TREND FOLLOWER GUY….Iowa St is 12-4-1 to the under in their last 17 games…..but Iowa is 15-6-2 to the over L23…..Argh….Iowa St is also 8-1 L9 ATS at Iowa and this game is often a bit closer than you think going in……<grabs popcorn>.
Summary
Cannot support a one-dimensional Iowa St team. Iowa is a tough play too because laying 16+ in a rivalry game is usually not our cup of tea.
Conclusion
No official play.
Lean: Might lean to the unthinkable. Over at 51 or better if you can get it. Just small potatoes if you are wanting to get involved.