Northwestern vs. Iowa Prediction
Will No. 21 Iowa get back in the Big Ten West race when the Hawkeyes play host to Northwestern this afternoon at 3:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Saturday, November 10, 2018
3:30PM ET – Kinnick Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Iowa is favored at home, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -10.5 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the game is currently listed at 42 points. The public betting for this game currently has 70 percent going on Northwestern on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Iowa drops two straight
Iowa returns home this weekend after back-to-back road losses to Penn State and Purdue by a combined eight points. Iowa is now 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are 6-3 against the spread and 6-3 with the over. The Hawkeyes have failed to cover the spread in two straight.
The Hawkeyes are strong defensively this year, allowing just 18.6 points and 283.7 yards per game. Iowa is holding opposing teams to just 86.2 rushing yards per game. When it comes to offense, Iowa is putting up 30.4 points and 391.6 yards per game. Quarterback Nate Stanley has thrown for 2,039 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight interceptions. TJ Hockenson is his leading receiver with 32 catches for 526 yards and four touchdowns while Toren Young and Mekhi Sargent have combined for 893 rushing yards and eight scores.
Northwestern leading division
Despite coming off a 31-21 loss at home to Notre Dame last weekend, Northwestern is still in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten West right now as they sit at 5-4 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten. They have a 1-game lead on both Purdue and Wisconsin right now. Northwestern is 4-3-2 against the spread and 5-4 with the over. The Wildcats are just 1-1-2 ATS in their last four.
The Wildcats haven’t been dominant on defense, but have still been pretty solid. They are giving up 24.4 points and 377.6 yards per game. Their pass defense is giving up just 234 yards per game. When it comes to offense, the Cats are averaging 24.7 points and 357.7 yards per game. That is done without much of a ground game as they have been injury-plagued at the position all season. Jeremy Larkin is still the leading rusher for Northwestern with 346 yards and he hasn’t played since Week 3. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 2,213 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the offense, but also has 10 interceptions. Flynn Nagel has caught 63 passes for 744 yards and two scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Iowa
Iowa is 4-1 against the spread in its last five home games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Northwestern
Northwestern is 20-5-1 against the spread in their last 26 conference games and 16-5 ATS in their last 21 road games.
Prediction:
These two have play to 7-point games the last two years and Northwestern is a team that has been able to stay in the mix in all their Big Ten games this year. Their lone loss was by three at home to Michigan. Iowa is a tough defensive team, but the Hawkeyes have been lacking on offense and that plays right into Northwestern’s hands. The Wildcats like to grind out games and I will gladly take double-digit points for the Cats. This should be another physical, Big Ten game that comes down to the wire.
College Football Prediction: Northwestern +10.5
Related: Northwestern vs. Iowa Total Prediction