The Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) host the Iowa State Cyclones (1-0) at Kinnick Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Iowa State at Iowa school odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Both teams will enter undefeated and only will leave that way. For Iowa, it’ll hope to do that at home after a lackluster 7-3 home win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Crazy enough, those 7 points were via 2 safeties and a field goal.
The Iowa offense, led by QB Spencer Petras, did little against SDSU. He threw for 109 yards and 1 interception. Starting RB Leshon Williams did manage 72 yards on the ground.
Iowa State played a bit more exciting Week 1 matchup against Southeast Missouri State. It won 42-10, outscoring the road side 21-0 in the second half.
QB Hunter Dekkers threw for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns. The redshirt sophomore will look to lead Iowa State, a program heavily dependent on RB Breece Hall and the run game last season.
The Hawkeyes lead the all-time in-state series — a battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy — 46-22. Iowa won last year’s meeting 27-17 and is 6-0 against the Cyclones since 2015.
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Iowa State at Iowa odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:01 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Iowa State +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Iowa -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa State +3.5 (-115) | Iowa -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 40.5 (O: -110| U: -110)
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Iowa State at Iowa picks and predictions
Prediction
Iowa State 20, Iowa 16
Money line
SPRINKLE IOWA STATE (+155).
It’s difficult to back Iowa after its inability to move the ball against South Dakota State. To the Jackrabbits credit, they are 1 of the best FCS schools in the country. However, Iowa State will pose a much tougher test.
Jirehi Brock has taken over for Hall and averaged 6.5 rushing yards per carry in their opener (104 yards on 16 carries) with a TD. Given that this shouldn’t be a blowout, he should see an enhanced workload.
Iowa State hasn’t beaten Iowa since 2014, and this time around, it may have the more talented roster. Iowa’s strength isn’t in the pass game, so if the Cyclones can get up early, the Hawkeyes may struggle to regain that lead.
Against the spread
BET IOWA STATE +3.5 (-115).
Iowa State has had worse teams and kept these games close, so I expect a hard-fought, close battle. The Cyclones have held 2 of their last 4 matchups within 3.5 points.
Considering Iowa really only won in Week 1 due to SDSU errors, the Cyclones should be able to keep things close just by playing smart football, which is did in their opener.
An offensive line with 4 upperclassmen and a 5th-year senior transfer WR (Dimitri Stanley), the Cyclones experience should be a factor as well. This should be a close game, and I’ll take the road dog to cover here.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 40.5 (-110).
Iowa scored 7 points last week and didn’t have an offensive touchdown.
Getting to 41 or more combined will be a tough task. Petras is still under center, and in 12 games last season, he had just 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
The Hawkeyes allowed just over 23 points per game last season which included a 42-3 loss to Michigan. Aside from that, their opponent topped 20 strictly in Big Ten play (and in the Citrus Bowl against Kentucky).
Iowa has played well against non-Big Ten opponents. They haven’t allowed a non-Big Ten opponent to top 20 points in a game that wasn’t a bowl game since 2016 against North Dakota State.
Considering their style of play and the Cyclones potentially run-heavy attack, I’ll take the Under 40.5 (-110) here.
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