Nebraska vs. Iowa Pick
Will Nebraska keep its Big Ten title hopes alive on Friday when it takes on Iowa at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Iowa is slightly favored at home, as the Hawkyes are getting odds of -3 points against Nebraska. The over/under total for the contest has yet to be listed. The road team has won four straight in this series, but Iowa has covered the spread in three of the last four meetings with Nebraska.
Nebraska is coming off a 28-7 win over Maryland last week to move to 9-2 on the season and 6-2 in the Big Ten. They are also 6-3-2 against the spread this season, including a 3-1 record ATS on the road in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers are led by their defense, which holds opponents to 21.2 points and 345.4 yards per game. Their run defense is holding opponents to 129.8 yards per contest. When it comes to the offense, Nebraska is averaging 28.3 points and 401.5 yards per contest. The team won last week without Tommy Armstrong Jr. playing. He is dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries and is questionable for this Friday’s game. He has thrown for 2,055 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 499 yards. Ryker Fyfe played last week and has thrown for 313 yards and two touchdowns this season. However, he suffered a broken left wrist and is questionable to play as well. Regardless of who is at QB, the team will turn to Terrell Newby often. He has run for 825 yards and seven scores this year.
Iowa is coming off a 28-0 win at Illinois last week to move to 7-4 on the season and 5-3 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are also 5-6 against the spread this year. Iowa is also led by its defense, allowing just 18.6 points and 365.2 yards per game. However, the unit is susceptible to the run, allowing 158.9 yards per game. Offensively, Iowa is putting up just 25.5 points and 326.5 yards per game. They rely heavily on their run game, averaging 163.5 yards per contest. Akrum Wadley and LeShun Daniels Jr. have combined for 1,716 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Quarterback C.J. Beathard has thrown for 1,730 yards and 14 touchdowns.
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Nebraska has some questions at QB obviously and that is going to be tough to deal with at Iowa. The Hawkeyes have won their last two, including a victory over Michigan. Look for the Iowa defense to be strong enough to limit Nebraska while the Hawkeyes’ running tandem finds a few holes against the Cornhuskers to get Iowa a win in a hard-fought game.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 13 PICK: IOWA -3