Iowa vs. Iowa State College Football Week 3 Betting Preview

At the beginning of the season, the battle of the famed Cy-Hawk Trophy was eagerly anticipated. Under the leadership of head coach Matt Campbell, Iowa State has become a respected performer with the College football odds. As a matter of fact, the Cyclones have even been touted as a potential dark horse in the Big 12 Conference. Iowa is already a respected Big Ten title contender. Although the Hawkeyes are consistent, they frustrate fans with their inability to take the next step. Head coach Kirk Ferentz has a program that is often labeled “boring.” Yet it’s effective.

Iowa Hawkeyes Vs. Iowa State Cyclones Betting Odds

Team	SP/RL	TOTAL	ML
Iowa Hawkeyes	-2½ (-110)	44½ (-110)	-135
Iowa State Cyclones	+2½ (-110)	+2½ (-110)	+115

Tweets by HawkeyeFootball

Iowa Hawkeyes

So far Iowa has impressed with two wins and a payout in two games. Iowa opened the season with a 38-14 home payout over Miami of Ohio. Following that was a 30-0 home payout over Rutgers in their Big Ten opener. A rock-ribbed defense ranked fourth in the nation has impressed. Offensively the Hawkeyes have been more pedestrian. Still while not lighting up the scoreboard Iowa does not make a lot of self-inflicting mistakes. That has long been an important part of their formula for success. While not a thrill show the Hawkeyes are methodically effective.

Players to Watch: QB Nate Stanley (64% COMP, 488 YDS, 8.4 YPC, 6 TD, 0 INT, 168.6 RTG), RB Mekhi Sargent (27 ATT, 150 YDS, 5.6 AVG, 1 TD, 6 REC, 77 YDS, 12.8 YPC, 0 TD), RB Toren Young (18 ATT, 107 YDS, 5.9 YPC, 1 TD), RB Tyler Goodson (19 ATT, 89 YDS, 4.7, 0 TD), WR Ihmir Smith Marsette ( 8 REC, 148 YDS, 18.5 YPC, 3 TD), PK Keith Duncan (8-8 XP, 4-4 FG)

Iowa State Cyclones

The first-week action was a big-time scare for Iowa State. ISU escaped with a 29-26 overtime home win as 22.5-point home overlays. The Cyclones are coming off a bye week that was used to tighten things up and work out mistakes. Sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy is considered to have plenty of upsides. Most important of all Campbell has surrounded him with a strong supporting cast. Many said Campbell was a fool to take the Iowa State job. Yet he has become a hot coaching prospect with his success.

Players to Watch: QB Brock Purdy (73% COMP, 278 YDS, 6.8 AVG, 2 TD, 0 INT, 146.2 RTG), RB Johnnie Long (14 ATT, 60 YDS, 4.3 AVG, 0 TD), RB Sheldon Croney Jr (13 ATT, 56 YDS, 4.3 AVG, 1 TD, 3 REC, 7.7 YPC, 0 TD), RB Breece Hall (11 ATT, 47 YDS, 4.3 YPC, 0 TD,), WR Deshaunte Jones (14 REC, 126 YDS, 9.0 AVG, 0 TD)

Trends

Iowa Hawkeyes

5-6-1 ATS in their last 12 away games
10-3 over the total away from home
4-1-1 in their last six matchups with Big 12 teams
2-6 under the total vs. the Big 12 Conference
4-1-1 in their last six games against Iowa State
1-4 under the total in matchups with the Cyclones

Iowa State Cyclones

2-5 ATS in their last seven games at Jack Trice Stadium
5-3-1 over the total in-home matchups
4-6-1 ATS vs. Big Ten schools
12-3 under the total in games vs. the Big Ten
1-3-1 ATS at Jack Trice Stadium against the Hawkeyes
3-1 over the total at home vs. Iowa

In this situation, the Hawkeyes should bring legal betting value as the road team. As was previously noted Iowa State has struggled to get the money when at home in this head to head series. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have been the more solid team this far.

Score Prediction: Iowa Hawkeyes 24, Iowa State Cyclones 17