[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) and Iowa Hawkeyes (6-1, 3-1) meet Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Minnesota vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
I am not a fan of either the Golden Gophers and Hawkeyes, but they battle this weekend for my favorite trophy, Floyd of Rosedale. The bronze trophy in the shape of a pig was 1st awarded to the winner of this annual battle in 1935.
Minnesota leads the all-time series 62-52-2, although Iowa has brought Floyd back to Iowa City in 8 straight seasons, and 10 of the past 11 meetings. The last time the Golden Gophers won in Iowa was Nov. 20, 1999, as the Hawkeyes have defended their home stadium successfully in 10 straight battles.
The Gophers are coming off a 52-10 setback at home against Michigan, and Minnesota is now just 1-5 against the spread (ATS) this season. The Over has cashed in each of the past 3 outings.
The Hawkeyes have racked up 3 straight wins since getting blanked at Penn State on Sept. 23. Iowa won 15-6 at Wisconsin last week as a 9-point underdog, seizing control of the Big Ten’s West Division. Iowa is 2-0-1 ATS in the past 3 games, and 4-1-1 ATS in the previous 6 outings, while cashing the Under in 3 of the past 4 contests.
Iowa is No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Minnesota at Iowa odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Minnesota +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Iowa -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Minnesota +3.5 (-110) | Iowa -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 30.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Minnesota at Iowa picks and predictions
Prediction
Iowa 20, Minnesota 15
Moneyline
IOWA (-185) is slightly above my personal limit for a moneyline wager, but it’s perfectly acceptable in a rivalry game, especially with a spread of 3 and a hook which I am not a giant fan of. Plus, if you toss this into a multi-team parlay, it is much more appealing.
The Hawkeyes are offensively challenged, but the Golden Gophers are not great defensively, and Iowa should be able to get the offense rolling. And Iowa has won 8 in a row in the series, and 10 of the past 11. The Hawkeyes have owned this series, and they’re the better team this season, too.
Against the spread
IOWA -3.5 (-110) being favored by this little bit of points is rather surprising. And, the Hawkeyes have dominated the series, while going 4-1-1 ATS in the past 6 games overall. The Hawkeyes might be one of my favorite plays of the weekend, even if it is one of my least favorite numbers to bet.
Over/Under
OVER 30.5 (-110) is such a small number. This is the type of total you’d see back in the 1970’s or earlier, not in this day and age of video game football. But Iowa is a throwback, playing a very stingy brand of defense. Iowa allows just 14.9 PPG, while limiting the opposition to 324.4 total yards per game. And the offense is nearly non-existent, posting just 247.4 total yards per outing, while amassing only 116.6 passing yards per game.
Despite Iowa’s poor showing on offense, it should be able to move the ball on a Minnesota team which has allowed 26.7 PPG, and 235.3 passing yards per contest.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]