Another college football season is close again...Let's get this party started!
The Iowa Hawkeyes enjoyed a magical season last year, culminating in a trip to the Big 10 championship game and trip to the Rose Bowl. While their trip to Pasadena ended in a lopsided loss to Stanford, there was plenty for HC Kirk Ferentz and is Hawkeyes to celebrate. Iowa finished the season with a 12-2 mark, including a perfect 8-0 mark through their regular season Big 10 slate. The QB spot is always important, especially early in the season, and the Hawkeyes will once again look to SR CJ Beathard and WR Matt VandeBerg to generate plenty more offense for Iowa, who averaged 30.9 PPG last year. The Miami Redhawks were just 3-9 last year and a very popular “play against” for these Sharps. They do return 16 starters from last year (we’re not sure that’s a good or bad thing!) including QB Billy Bahl. We do think this year’s Miami squad will be improved over last year, but this appears to be a tough spot for the Redhawks. Miami is just 1-12 in their last 13 road openers and in the last eight of those losses, the margin of defeat has been 32 PPG. Iowa has been really good under Ferentz in the spot of a large home favorite, sporting a 13-4 ATS mark in their last 17 games when favored between 21-31 points. While we do believe Miami’s offense will be improved, let’s keep in mind that they ranked 109th in FBS offense last year and this Iowa defense is a stout bunch that will be fired up for their home opener. This one is all Hawkeyes. The Sharps say…
2 Units – Iowa Hawkeyes (-28)