Illinois vs. Iowa Prediction
Can No. 17 Iowa find enough points to cover a double-digit spread at home when the Hawkeyes host Illinois at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
143 Illinois vs. 144 Iowa
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Noon ET – Kinnick Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Iowa is favored at home, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -15.5 points against Illinois. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 47.5 points. The public betting currently has 58 percent going on Illinois as the road underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Iowa upsets Minnesota
Iowa is coming off a 23-19 win at home over Minnesota last week to hand the Golden Gophers their first loss of the season. The Hawkeyes are now 7-3 on the season, 4-3 in the Big Ten, 5-5 against the spread and 7-2 with the under.
Like usual, Iowa has been a great defensive team. The Hawkeyes are giving up just 12.4 points and 303.5 yards per game. A.J. Epenesa is leading the defense with 26 tackles and seven sacks. Offensively, Iowa isn’t anything special. It is putting up just 24 points and 372.6 yards per contest. Nate Stanley has thrown for 2,331 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Iowa offense while Ihmir Smith-Marsette is the leading receiver with 37 catches for 533 yards and four scores. Three different backs have over 400 rushing yards. Mekhi Sargent is leading the way with 482 yards and four touchdowns.
Illinois riding a wins treak
Illinois looked completely lost nearly a month ago, but the Illini are now on a four-game win streak following a 37-34 comeback win at Michigan State two weeks ago. The Illini are 6-4 on the year, 4-3 in the Big Ten, 7-3 against the spread and 6-4 with the under.
The numbers don’t look good for Illinois, as the Illini average just 334 yards per game on offense, but they do put up 30.7 per game. Defensively, Illinois is giving up 25.7 points and 411.3 yards per contest. Dele Harding is leading the defense with 121 tackles and three interceptions. Brandon Peters has really stepped up lately to lead the offense. He has thrown for 1,486 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead the offense. Reggie Corbin is the team’s leading rusher with 606 yards and six touchdowns, while Josh Imatorhebhe is the leading receiver with 29 catches for 598 yards and nine scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Iowa
The Hawkeyes are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games following a win and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after allowing less than 100 rushing yards in their previous game.
Illinois
The Illini have covered the spread in five straight conference games and in four of their last five on fieldturf.
Prediction:
Iowa has been able to dominate Iowa in recent years, winning and covering in three straight while winning each game by at least 28 points. Illinois is riding a four-game winning streak right now, including a nice win over Purdue. The Illini should be playing with some confidence right now and I think that can allow them to cover on the road against Iowa. While the Hawkeyes don’t allow a lot of points, they don’t score many either. Iowa has had five of its last six games decided by seven points or less, including just a 6-point win at home over a bad Purdue team. The Hawkeyes haven’t been good at pulling away and tend to leave the door open for their opponents.
College Football Week 13 Prediction: Illinois +15.5
