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The Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) visit the 3rd-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0) Saturday in a Big Ten conference matchup at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Iowa vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Hawkeyes went to Minnesota and picked up a 31-14 win as 3-point favorites Sept. 21, and they took home the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy for winning against their rivals. They had a bye last Saturday.
Iowa has scored 31 or more points in 3 of 4 games to date, while going 2-2 against the spread (ATS). The Over is 4-0 in 4 games for Iowa, a team which hit the Under in 10 of 12 regular-season games, as well as the Big Ten Championship Game and the Citrus Bowl.
Ohio State earned a 38-7 win at Michigan State in the conference opener Sept. 28 in East Lansing, covering as a 23.5-point favorite. The Under (48.5) cashed, halting a 3-0 run to the Over in the 1st 3 outings.
Buckeyes QB Will Howard has completed 68.6% of his pass attempts for 1,039 yards, 8 TDs and 2 INTs, while true freshman WR Jeremiah Smith leads the team with 19 grabs, 364 yards and 5 TDs. On the ground, portal add RB Quinshon Judkins leads the way with 390 yards, 8.3 yards per attempt and 5 TDs, while RB TreVeyon Henderson has 273 rushing yards, 8.8 yards per attempt and 4 TDs.
These teams have met 6 times since Sept. 30, 2006, with the Buckeyes winning 5 of the meetings. That includes a 54-10 win Oct. 22, 2022, in the most recent meeting in Columbus, cashing as 29.5-point favorites as the Over (50) cashed. The total has gone high in 3 straight meetings and 5 of the past 6 in the series.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Iowa at Ohio State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 5:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Iowa +800 (bet $100 to win $800) | Ohio State -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Iowa +18.5 (-110) | Ohio State -18.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -120 | U: -110)
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Iowa at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 34, Iowa 17
Moneyline
Ohio State (-1400) will set you back 14 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward. You also can’t play the Buckeyes as part of a multi-team parlay. Including them sucks all of the value out of your ticket.
PASS.
Against the spread
IOWA +18.5 (-110) is worth a look as a heavy underdog on the road.
Ohio State -18.5 (-110) has managed just a 1-2 ATS mark in 3 home games so far this season, while the Hawkeyes have managed to win and cover their only game on the road.
Look for the Buckeyes to win this game, and for things not to be terribly close. But, Iowa should be able to keep it within 19.
Over/Under
OVER 45.5 (-120) is a strong play in this conference tilt.
Iowa was an Under machine in recent seasons, especially in 2023 when it hit low in 12 of 14 games, including the postseason.
However, that’s last year, and these Hawkeyes are a little more exciting. The Over has cashed in all 4 games this season, going for 31 or more points in 3 outings. The Hawkeyes had a shutout in the opener against FCS Illinois State, but the defense has allowed 18.3 PPG in 3 games against FBS foes.
For Ohio State, it has scored 49 or more points in all 3 home games, albeit against inferior opponents. This won’t be an offensive shootout, but it should inch across the finish line for an Over.
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