The Northern Iowa Panthers and Iowa State Cyclones meet Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and the game can be viewed on ESPN+. Below, we look at the Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
UNI played a spring schedule and went 3-4. The offense was limited to 21 or fewer points in six of those seven outings. The Panthers aren’t ranked in the FCS top 25, although they did receive points.
Iowa State is certainly in the rankings. In fact, it’s No. 8 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. The Cyclones finished ninth in 2020 for their highest-ever ranking to close a season.
QB Brock Purdy, RB Breece Hall and TE Charlie Kolar are all back, as is leading WR Xavier Hutchinson. That group was instrumental in helping the Cyclones to 6.3 yards per play, third in the Big 12. On defense, DE Will McDonald IV and LB Mike Rose are bona fide stars.
Northern Iowa at Iowa State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Northern Iowa +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500) | Iowa State -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northern Iowa +31.5 (-120) | Iowa State -31.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Northern Iowa at Iowa State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Iowa State 51, Northern Iowa 6
Money line
There is never a reason to risk $100 to win just $1, so nix Iowa State (-10000) from the money line plans and look to the spread instead.
AVOID.
Against the spread
IOWA STATE -31.5 (-105) is a very good play laying the big number. The Cyclones are stacked on both sides of the ball, and they’re a legitimate College Football Playoff contender from the Big 12.
Northern Iowa +31.5 (-120) has been a powerhouse in the FCS in the past, but it’s a shell of its former self and just completed a mediocre spring season a few months ago. The Panthers are going to get pounded in this money game visit.
Over/Under
OVER 49.5 (-115) is the way to go, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Iowa State takes care of the number without help from UNI. Iowa State was good for 32.9 points per game last season and should find plenty of open spaces against the undermanned Panthers.
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