The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in college football action on Friday. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ABC. Currently the college football betting odds for the game have the Hawkeyes favored to pick up the win in this one.
Iowa is favored by just two points in this one, which should be cause for some to look a bit deeper. The Hawkeyes have posted an 11-0 record to this point, the best in school history, and they will represent the West Division in the Big Ten title game next weekend in Indianapolis, but first they have to find a way to get past Nebraska. While that might not seem like much, note that Michigan State earlier this season received its only loss in the conference in Lincoln.
Nebraska is just 5-6 this season, the Huskers have certainly left something to be desired in Mike Reilly's first season. Nebraska does have some momentum going for them in this game after picking up a 31-14 win over Rutgers last week. The Huskers aren't the same team they have been in the past and Reilly is looking to build the program back to its once-proud traditions, this game can make them bowl eligible and it's no secret that Nebraska would travel well to any post season game.
The Hawkeyes don't have a ton of crazy stats, but they are led on the ground by Jordan Canzeri. He's rushed for better than 800 yards on the season with 10 touchdowns, but note that LeShun Daniels, Akrum Wadley and quarterback C.J. Beathard have a combined 21 touchdowns on the ground as well. Through the air Beathard hasn't hurt Iowa with only three picks, but he does have 2,200 yards passing.
Nebraska will have to force Iowa into throwing the football consistently. If the Hawkeyes cannot rely on running the football as much as possible, it should take them out of their comfort zone.
Tommy Armstrong Jr. is still in school (he's only a junior), his arm and legs will have to be a major factor in this one if Nebraska can win. It's worth examining that Iowa is just a two-point favorite in what is one of the biggest games in school history. Certainly they're going to be playing in the Big Ten title game next weekend, but a victory here should keep them inside the college football playoff discussion. A loss, even with a chance at a conference title next week, keeps them out.
Even so, the line is fishy and Nebraska has been pretty good at home against tough competition. Both Wisconsin and Northwestern left Lincoln with close two-point wins while Michigan State lost just a few weeks back.
Free Pick: Nebraska
$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for the CFB and NFL seasons with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!