Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa Hawkeyes

I’m taking Iowa at home to cover against Minnesota. Traditionally, the Hawkeyes are very strong at home. They are 24-12-1 ATS at home as a favorite of 7 points of less. When the total has been 40 or less in home games, they are 4-2 ATS in those last 6 games. I think we’ll see Iowa control the clock and play the game on their pace.

Iowa -4

Iowa still has a strong defense,it will get some takeaways ,They will stop the Gophers run game.This will be a grind game with both teams playing grind defense.I will take the more physical team!

TAKE IOWA

Iowa has had a good season so far but heads this match without their regular quarterback. That will undoubtedly affect their ability to move the ball without strain. The Gophers have a great defense that will prove a hard nut to crack for the offense weak Hawkeyes. In total yards allowed, the Gophers are 7th and this is a significant contrast to Iowa which is at 11th rank. Minnesota is not too perfect either and their recent form is enough to show why they are underdogs heading to this match. They lost their last game against Illinois but they have been impressive in recovery following an ATS loss. I'm backing the Gophers to cover the spread even though they could lose this game.

Its no secret that Iowa wins their games by capitalizing on turnovers. Iowa’s offense is really bad, but they did bench QB Petras and their backup seemed to click immediately. Now their Oline is the problem, but anchored by future first sounder Tyler Linderbaum at center, I think Iowa will be able to get the ground game going and give the backup time to settle in. These teams matchup a lot like the Penn St and Iowa matchup earlier this year, so expect a low scoring, gutted out game. In the end Iowa will be able to pull away and win this one

Both defenses have been good, ranking top-10 in the nation in total yards allowed per game. And both offenses have been bad, entering the week fresh off a six-point showing against Illinois (by Minnesota) and a 17-point game against Northwestern (by Iowa).

At least Minnesota had good offense at one point. All year long, Iowa's best offense has been its defense, and Minnesota has not been turnover-prone (10 giveaways in nine games). As long as Minny doesn't lose the turnover battle I think they are the more balanced team and should win this low scoring game, got to love getting the 5.5 points in this spot.

Minnesota has been phenomenal on the road this year. They won at Purdue, dominated Colorado, and handled Northwestern in their three road games. Minnesota has a Ravensesque injury problem running through the running back room right now, and running is how they move the ball. They do take care of the ball though, only giving it away 10 times so far this year, which should go far in a game like this should be.

The Iowa defense is amazing. Meanwhile, the offense is awful and has only scored 31 points their last three games, even though one of them was against Northwestern. They did catch three picks in that game and will need to continue taking the ball to help the offense as much as possible. The defense has only allowed two teams to get over 100 on the ground all season.

Pick: I think Minnesota takes care of the ball and walks away with the win. Iowa's offense hasn't shown they can do anything against good defenses. The over/under of 37 is insanely low for college football, and it's for good reason. They could easily stay under, and I think they will.