Iowa vs. Northwestern Total Pick
Can Iowa and Northwestern find enough offense to hit a low total when the two Big Ten teams meet up today at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Iowa is the slight favorite, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -1.5 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 47 points. Iowa has won three of the last four in this series and the two have hit the over in three straight meetings. The public is currently putting 70 percent of the wagers on the Hawkeyes on the road. Today’s game takes place from Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois and will air live on ESPN2.
Northwestern is coming off a 37-21 win at Maryland last week to improve to 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats are 3-2-1 with the over, but all three overs came on the road. Northwestern is averaging 27.5 points and 402.8 yards per game on offense this season. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 1,496 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the offense, but he also has nine interceptions. Justin Jackson is the leading rusher with 510 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 25.5 points and 376.3 yards per game.
Iowa is coming off a 45-16 win over Illinois two weeks ago to improve to 4-2 on the season and 1-2 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are 4-2 with the over on the year and 1-1 with the total on the road. Iowa is holding opponents to 18.7 points per game despite allowing 388.3 yards per contest. On offense, Iowa is putting up 28.8 points and 356.7 yards per game. Nathan Stanley has thrown for 1,290 yards and 15 touchdowns to lead the offense while Akrum Wadley has 483 rushing yards and four scores. Wadley also has 15 catches for 258 yards and three touchdowns.
These two have put up a surprising number of points in recent meetings, but I think that changes today. These two have hit the under in four of their last five meetings in Northwestern and Iowa has hit the under in five straight after scoring 40 in the previous game. Both programs pride themselves on toughness and Iowa has struggled on the road, so I think both teams will have trouble moving the ball today. Go with the under.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: IOWA/NORTHWESTERN UNDER 47