There is a sense of growing intrigue for Saturday in Kinnick Stadium and the Iowa Hawkeyes. They take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten West showdown that has implications across the entire division.
The Big Ten West isn’t the only group starting to take note of the matchup, either. National outlets are recognizing what this game could mean and have pegged it among some of their most intriguing games and best bets to make.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly took a look at the entire slate for Saturday (subscription required) and has been intrigued by the Hawkeyes versus the Illini in multiple facets. His first level of intrigue is putting Iowa among his favorite bets to make. Connelly like the Hawkeyes and the SP+ projections do as well.
Illinois at No. 16 Iowa (-3) (3:30 p.m., FS1). SP+ projection: Iowa by 13.4. Illinois backup QB John Paddock threw for 507 yards last week, but less effective starter Luke Altmyer is cleared to play and will evidently start. That’s an odd call by Illinois coach Bret Bielema, but Iowa has allowed 7.8 points per game since September ended and can probably handle either QB, even without injured star corner Cooper DeJean. – Connelly, ESPN
Connelly is right about Illinois’ quarterback situation. Many thought that the hot hand of John Paddock would keep the reigns but head coach Bret Bielema handed starting quarterback duties over to Luke Altmyer after he cleared concussion protocol. Whoever Iowa’s defense has faced over the last month and a half has not mattered as their last six games have seen them allow point totals of 16, 14, 6, 12, 7, and 0. This defense is locked in.
While he likes the Hawkeyes to win this and win the Big Ten West, Connelly does wonder if there is something at play here with how simple this appears. The Big Ten West has never been simple and it has always seen a wrench thrown into things just when everything appeared decided.
Illinois at No. 16 Iowa (3:30 p.m., FS1). Iowa could lock up the final Big Ten West title with a win here. Seems pretty straightforward. Too straightforward. Does the West have one more round of chaos to deliver? – Connelly, ESPN
Iowa wins the West with a win at home Saturday. They don’t need any help like they have gotten the last two weeks to be in this position. It is truly a one-step process to take care of business. The ball is in Iowa’s court. They just have to do their job.
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