College Football: Iowa vs Iowa State Odds, Analysis, & Picks

One of the best rivalries around takes place this Saturday, August 6, as Iowa heads to Ames to face Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium. The kick-off is scheduled for 12 pm ET. The Hawkeyes began their season on a high note in Week 1, smashing Albany 34-7. As for the Cyclones, they’re 2-0 and just beat South Dakota State last weekend. It will be a much more difficult test against a strong Iowa defense. Read below for the Iowa vs Iowa State picks.

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.

Iowa vs Iowa State Odds

Iowa State, who are playing at home, head into this one as a -155 moneyline favorite at online betting sites. Iowa State returns at +130. The Cyclones are also favored by three points on the spread.

Iowa State has won two of the last three meetings, and all of them cashed the Under. That’s something to keep an eye on when betting on this contest.

While these two just met in January, as previously mentioned, we have two new QBs under center, and both programs lost a plethora of starters.

Iowa vs Iowa State Analysis

The Hawkeyes have a new quarterback with a lot of promise in a talented Big Ten, but he didn’t get the opportunity to do a whole lot against Albany, with Iowa mostly relying on their run game. However, Mark Gronowski has a big arm, and he’ll certainly be looking for some deep ball connections in the Cy-Hawk. Gronowski was 8-for-15 for 44 yards last weekend, while the RB room ran for 310 yards.

Iowa State has a strong run defense and while their defense as a whole is strong, they are more vulnerable downfield. This will be the first time Gronowski will actually get to cook and show what he can do with his new squad. Defensively, Iowa is also elite, and they will have their hands full with Rocco Becht, who is a force to be reckoned with in his own right under center.

Becht was the difference-maker last year as the Cylones ran out 20-19 winners in this game, completing 20 of 35 passes for a pair of touchdowns. He’s led Iowa State so far to begin the current campaign. The No. 16 ranked program in the nation beat Kansas State by three before wiping the floor with a weak South Dakota State team in Week 1, putting up 55 points.

Becht was essentially flawless, completing 19 of 20 passes for 278 yards and three scores. He also performed in the big moments against Kansas State. The quarterback has shown he’s able to step up under pressure and deliver, and Iowa State needs that same energy here. Although the Cyclones are strong defensively, so are the Hawkeyes, and offense may be hard to come by in Week 2. Defense could rule the day.

Iowa vs Iowa State Picks

Six consecutive meetings have comfortably cashed the Under in points. I’m expecting a lot of the same, but it should still be an entertaining affair that will come down to the wire. Tight defense on both sides will be on full display.

Pick: Under 41.5 (-115) /Sports Interaction