The Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-8, 2-6 Big Ten) visit Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3) Friday at 4 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nebraska vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Nebraska is on a 5-game slide, recently losing to Wisconsin 15-14 as a 10-point underdog in its home finale in front of the 382nd consecutive sellout. Wisconsin scored the winning TD with 35 seconds left. It has been a season to forget for the Cornhuskers, and AD Trev Alberts and the new coach, whoever he may be, have a big project ahead.
Iowa has struggled all season on offense. The season started slow as the Hawkeyes got out to a 3-4 start. Since then, the team rallied to win 4 straight and put itself in position to win the Big Ten West with a win in this game. Defense has been the key all season for Iowa, and it came through once again last weekend in a 13-10 victory at Minnesota with a fumble recovery and an interception. The Hawkeyes were 2.5-point underdogs and have covered 4 games in a row.
Iowa has only scored 151 points in Big Ten play for an 18.9 PPG average, while it has allowed 136 points for a 17.0 PPG allowed average — and that includes giving up 54 points to No. 2 Ohio State. Iowa plays low-scoring, tight games and this should be another one.
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Nebraska at Iowa odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nebraska +330 (bet $100 to win $330) | Iowa -435 (bet $435 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nebraska +11 (-110) | Iowa -11 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 38.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nebraska at Iowa picks and predictions
Prediction
Iowa 23, Nebraska 9
Moneyline
PASS.
If Iowa (-435) wins this game, it’s in the Big Ten Championship Game to face the winner of Saturday’s Michigan-Ohio State game.
With the Hawkeyes at home and the Cornhuskers basically giving up on the season, Iowa will win here, but the -435 price is way too high and not worth the risk.
Against the spread
BET IOWA -11 (-110).
Nebraska wants to get through this game and move into the offseason. With an offense in shambles, the Huskers will not find points easy to come by. Playing against an elite Iowa defense will not help either.
Iowa will smother Nebraska. The Hawkeyes surprisingly did not have a defensive score Saturday against Minnesota. They will this week.
TAKE IOWA -11 (-110),
Over/Under
BET UNDER 38.5 (-110).
As mentioned, the Hawkeyes averaged 18.9 PPG points in conference play. They averaged 17.4 PPG in all games. Iowa does not have an offense that will scare anyone, but its defense should. Toss out the Ohio State game and the defense allowed 11.7 PPG in Big Ten play. In its 3 non-conference games, the defense allowed a total of 13 points.
The Hawkeyes will control this game and use field position to win a slow, boring contest. UNDER 38.5 (-110) is my FAVORITE PLAY in this game.
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