Northwestern vs. Iowa Pick
When Big Ten foes Iowa and Northwestern meet up on Saturday at Noon ET, will it be a defensive battle?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Iowa is the favorite in this game, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -13 points against the Wildcats. The over/under total for the contest is listed at just 43 points. Iowa has won and covered the spread in three straight meetings with Northwestern and the two have hit the over in their last two encounters.
Iowa got a scare last week but managed to pick up a 14-7 win over Rutgers to open up Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes are now 3-1 on the season and 3-1 with the under. Iowa is looking to erase its memory of its last home game, a 23-21 loss to North Dakota State. Not surprisingly, Iowa is led by its defense, which is giving up just 13.5 points and 365.3 yards per game. The offense continues to struggle though, averaging only 356 yards per game. The duo of LeShun Daniels Jr. and Akrum Wadley have combined for 575 rushing yards with seven touchdowns while C.J Beathard has thrown for 741 yards and eight touchdowns.
Northwestern opened up conference play last week with a 24-13 loss at home to Nebraska. The Wildcats are just 1-3 on the season and now playing their first road game. They have hit the under in all four games this season as they are scoring only 16.3 points per game while holding opponents to just 17 points per contest. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 956 yards and five touchdowns, but also has four interceptions. Justin Jackson has rushed for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
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The total is low for a reason, Northwestern has hit the under in all four games, with some set at just 44 points. The Wildcats are very reliant on their defense since their offense is struggling. Iowa has shown that its offense is struggling lately too, behind held to just 35 points over the last two games. Now it faces a tough defense in Northwestern. This game could be a field goal fest and easily go under 40 points.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 5 PICK: NORTHWESTERN/IOWA UNDER 43