Iowa vs. Minnesota Pick
Will Iowa have a defensive letdown like it did last week when it takes on Minnesota this Saturday at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Iowa is a slight favorite on the road, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -2 points against the Golden Gophers. The over/under total for the contest has been listed at 51.5 points. Iowa has won three of the last four meetings and the two have pushed or hit the under in five of their last seven meetings.
Iowa is coming off a surprising 38-31 loss at home to Northwestern to fall to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes hit the over in the loss but are 3-2 with the under this season. The Hawkeyes are giving up only an average of 18.4 points and 364.6 yards per game on the season, but last week’s loss to Northwestern saw Iowa give up three scoring drives of 75 yards or more. Offensively, Iowa is putting up just 341.6 yards per game but averaging 30.6 points. Iowa is led by its ground game, as LeShun Daniels Jr. and Akrum Wadley have combined for 682 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. C.J. Beathard has added 945 passing yards with nine touchdowns.
Minnesota is coming off its first loss of the season, a 29-26 OT defeat at the hands of Penn State. The Gophers are now 3-1 on the year, 0-1 in the Big Ten and 2-2 with the over/under total. Minnesota is putting up 36.3 points and 439.8 yards per game on offense. Like Iowa, the Gophers have a strong ground game. Rodney Smith is leading the way with 402 yards and five touchdowns rushing. QB Mitch Leidner has thrown for 840 yards and five touchdowns as well. The Minnesota defense is giving up 26 points and 378.3 yards per game, struggling through the air, as it is allowing 255.3 passing yards per contest.
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Last week’s Iowa vs. Northwestern game has thrown off my instincts for Iowa. The Hawkeyes gave up a lot to a bad team. When it comes to defense for Iowa, the Hawkeyes are really struggling to stop the run. That could be a problem against this Minnesota team that is averaging 228.3 yards per game rushing. Minnesota should be able to run the ball effectively in this game and score plenty of points in the process. Iowa will still find some ways to score as well on an average Minnesota defense. My pick for this one says take the over.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 6 PICK: IOWA/MINNESOTA OVER 51.5