It’s no secret that Iowa has had its fair share of offensive problems to start 2022. The good news is that the Hawkeyes did find some offense in their 27-0 shutout win over Nevada.
Spencer Petras tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Arland Bruce IV and Kaleb Johnson rumbled for touchdown runs of 40 and 55 yards.
Even following the improved offensive day, the Hawkeyes still check in with the dead last total offense unit in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Iowa is currently averaging 217.7 yards of total offense, 125.3 yards per game through the air (tied-124th nationally) and 92.3 yards per game on the ground (118th nationally).
Meanwhile, in the all-important category, the Hawkeyes are averaging 13.7 points per game. Defensively, Iowa is just about as stingy as they come, though. In fact, Iowa ranks No. 2 nationally in scoring defense, surrendering just 4.3 points per game.
As Big Ten play begins this week, Iowa heads on the road to a Rutgers team that actually features many of the same characteristics. The Scarlet Knights own the nation’s 91st total offense, No. 119 passing offense and averaged just 19 points in their two games against Boston College and Temple.
Add all of that up and the oddsmakers see a historically low-scoring affair in Piscataway, N.J. Right now, per Tipico Sportsbook, the over/under is set at a combined 33.5 points total.
If it closes at 33.5 points, it would be the lowest combined points total since Arizona versus Oregon State in 1995.
Punt Bowl tonight Rutgers vs. Iowa
33.5 point total would be lowest in Power 5 vs. Power 5 matchup since 1995 https://t.co/SFj17hZKkO
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) September 24, 2022
The under hit in that Arizona-Oregon State game with the two teams combining for just 31 points in a 20-11 Arizona State victory. Further, per Pete Truszkowski of Yahoo! Sports, the under is 3-1-1 in games since 1995 that had a point total of 34 points or lower.
Last year, the total for Iowa versus Wisconsin closed at 34 points and it hit it right on the number as the Badgers topped the Hawkeyes, 27-7. To date in 2022, none of Iowa’s games have exceeded 27 combined points.
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