Holiday Bowl Prediction
Can No. 16 Iowa continue its defensive dominance when the Hawkeyes take on No. 22 USC in the Holiday Bowl Friday at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
233 USC vs. 234 Iowa
Friday, December 27, 2019
8PM ET – SDCCU Stadium
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Iowa is the slim favorite in this game, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -2 points against USC. The over/under total is listed at 52 points. The public betting currently has 56 percent going on Iowa as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
USC comes in with momentum
USC won its final three games of the regular season and announced that it would be retaining Clay Helton as head coach. The Trojans are 8-4 on the season, 6-5-1 against the spread and 7-5 with the over.
The Trojans have been productive on offense this season, but have struggled to stop teams. USC is averaging 33.2 points and 462.2 yards per game on offense while allowing 27.8 points and 415.2 yards per game on defense. USC has been riddled with injuries throughout the season. Kedon Slovis has thrown for 3,242 yards and 28 touchdowns to lead the offense. Michael Pittman Jr. is his leading receiver with 1,222 yards and 11 touchdowns. Vavae Malepeai missed a lot of time with injury, but is still the leading rusher with 466 yards and six scores.
Iowa grinds out wins
Iowa won the final three games of its regular season, all by single digits. The three wins pushed the Hawkeyes to 9-3 on the season. They are also 5-7 against the spread and 8-3-1 with the under.
The Hawkeyes are one of the stronger defensive teams in the nation, allowing just 13.2 points and 304.3 yards per game. A.J. Epenesa is leading the defense with 45 tackles and nine sacks. Offensively, Iowa is putting up 23.8 points and 369.8 yards per contest. Nate Stanley has thrown for 2,738 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the offense this year. Ihmir Smith-Marsette is the leading receiver with 42 catches for 6767 yards and four scores. Tyler Goodson has been the top rusher with 590 yards and four touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
USC
The Trojans have hit the over in four straight games following a win, but have hit the under in five of their last seven against Big Ten opponents.
Iowa
Iowa is 4-1 with the over in its last five bowl games, but 6-1-1 with the under in its last eight games as a favorite.
Prediction:
USC certainly has some talent, but the Trojans haven’t been able to light up good defensive teams and Iowa certainly fits that mold. The Hawkeyes have been able to grind out a lot of opponents in low-scoring games and I don’t think USC is going to present a challenge that the Hawkeyes won’t be ready for on defense. The Iowa offense just isn’t explosive, so look for USC to be able to hold its own on defense as well. I don’t see a lot of highlight-reel plays coming in this game, so expect a low-scoring battle.
Holiday Bowl Prediction: USC/Iowa Under 52