Get a $500 Bonus on a $500 Deposit at BetUS!

Wisconsin at Iowa Football Point Spreads & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

The Wisconsin Badgers and the Iowa Hawkeyes enter Saturday’s Big Ten contest coming off two very different results. The Badgers were crushed by Penn State 48-7 while Iowa demolished Indiana 45-9. The college football odds makers have taken it all into accout so it comes as no surprise that the home Hawkeyes are listed as the 3.5-point favorites for this contest with the total set at 42.

Wisconsin was ranked in the top ten at one point this season but now find itself in desperate need of a win. The Badgers opened the season with three straight non-conference victories, but they have now dropped three straight conference games to Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.

Much like Wisconsin, Iowa opened the year with three straight wins, but then also went on a three game losing streak. The Hawkeyes were able to get back on track with a solid performance at Indiana last week. With three of its next four games at home, Iowa will try to move up the Big Ten charts.

This has always been a tight series and Wisconsin owns the slim 41-40-2 edge all-time. The Badgers have won each of the past two meetings by a combined seven points.

Wisconsin’s one-dimensional offense has struggled to put points on the board in Big Ten play. The Badgers have failed to score more than 17 points in three of their last four games. Perhaps, limiting turnovers will give Wisconsin more opportunities to score. Last week, it turned the ball over four times.

Standout tailback P.J. Hill only carried 15 times for 58 yards. On the whole, Wisconsin has been an effective running team, averaging 200.2 yards per game on the ground, but it appears that Wisconsin is going to have to be able to pass the football effectively to break through with a win. But neither Allan Evridge or Dustin Sherer has performed well enough to give head coach Bret Bielema much confidence in the passing game. So I guess we should get ready for a heavy dose of Hill who has 570 yards and five scores on the season.

The Badgers defense did not play quite as badly as one would think by looking at the final score last week. The Nittany Lions only amassed 377 total yards. Wisconsin is giving up 22.7 points per game and 321.0 total yards per game. The team has also come up with 14 takeaways, but the Badgers are permitting foes to make good on 44 percent of their third down conversion attempts. If you think the Badgers are due this week, bet Wisconsin at +3.5 at BetUS.

Iowa looked about as sharp as a team can look last week with 422 total yards and 28 first downs. The Hawkeyes scores six offensive touchdowns and running back Shonn Greene led the attack with 115 rushing yards. Greene was banged up in the contest but is expected to play this week. Backup Jewel Hampton broke out for 114 yards and three scores in a career day.

QB Ricky Stanzi was solid under center throwing for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 12 of 20 passing.

Green has been a beast this season with 937 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The key to victory for Wisconsin will be stopping Iowa’s tailback.

Stanzi has completed 64.2% of his passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns against four interceptions. He has begun to develop some chemistry with wide receiver Andy Brodell who leads the team with 24 grabs for 373 yards.

The Hawkeyes have been very solid at stopping the run this season. This could not have been more evident when they held down Michigan State’s Javon Ringer. Iowa is allowing just 10.9 points per game and 281.9 yards per game this season. If you think the Hawks can build off of a big road win, bet Iowa at -3.5 to cover the spread at BetUS. If you want an experts opinion on this one, Jack Jones’ college football picks has his Big 10 Game of the Year going on this game.

Check out Jimmy Boyd’s college football betting articles for free football picks all season long. This week he has one on the Missouri v. Texas matchup.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: