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The No. 24 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) welcome the Western Michigan Broncos (1-1) to Kinnick Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Ntwork). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Michigan vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Western Michigan opened its season up with a 35-17 win over St. Francis (Pa.), covering as a 13.5-point favorite. It then lost 48-7 at Syracuse, failing to cover as a 25-point underdog. The Broncos are led by RB Jalen Buckley, who has 281 yards rushing and 2 TDs in 2 games. They finished last season 5-7 overall and 3-3 on the road, 3rd in the MAC West.
The Hawkeyes beat Utah State 24-14 on Sept. 2, yet failed to cover a 24-point spread. They then beat Iowa State 20-13 on the road, covering as a 3.5-point underdog. Former Michigan QB Cade McNamara is the starter for the Hawkeyes and has 2 TDs and and INT in 2 starts. Iowa is No. 24 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Western Michigan at Iowa odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:37 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Michigan +1800 (bet $100 to win $1,800) | Iowa -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Michigan +28.5 (-110) | Iowa -28.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 42.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Western Michigan at Iowa picks and predictions
Prediction
Iowa 34, Western Michigan 3
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s nothing to see here. Never take a -10000 favorite in college sports.
Against the spread
LEAN IOWA -28.5 (-110).
The only concern here is if Iowa has the ability to score enough points to cover.
However, Syracuse scored 48 on Western Michigan, and it ranked 10th in the preseason ACC media poll. It wasn’t expected to look good yet the Broncos made them look like an NFL-caliber side. That dominance was more about how weak the Western Michigan defense is than the potency of the Orange.
The Hawkeyes have scored at least 14 points in a quarter in both games. McNamara was a high-profile transfer and captains the offense well. He should be able to put points on the board, and the Broncos may have little to say about it.
Iowa is coming off an impressive showing while Western Michigan is coming off a blowout loss against an unranked opponent. Back IOWA -28.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 42.5 (-110).
Iowa’s defense has been the crux of its game plan over the last several years. That will again be its strength in 2023, and it has allowed 14 or fewer in both games, against teams that are better offensively than Western Michigan.
Even if Iowa gets up big, it will likely pound the ball on the ground and likely won’t keep the gas on enough to top this total. Both teams are 0-2 O/U so far this season.
All logic points to fewer points. Back UNDER 42.5 (-110).
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