Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0) vs Colorado State Rams (1-2)
Game Info: Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 3:30 pm (Kinnick Stadium)
Betting Odds: Iowa Hawkeyes -23 -- Over/Under: 44.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Colorado State Rams will travel to Kinnick Stadium to take on the 5th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The Colorado State Rams picked up their first win of the season and improved to 2-1 on the season after upsetting the Toledo Rockets, 22-6, this past Saturday. Colorado State was outstanding defensively against Toledo and was able to pull away after a 29-yard FG gave the Rams a 16-6 lead with 7:45 left in the 4th quarter. Colorado State outgained Toledo by a 319-291 margin and forced one Toledo turnover in the victory. Leading the way for the Rams was RB David Bailey who had 132 rushing yards on 30 carries.
On the season, Colorado State is averaging 22.0 ppg on 408.7 total yards per game (228.7 passing yds/g; 180.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Colorado State has been led by TE Trey McBride who has 30 receptions for 339 yards & 1 TD. QB Todd Centeio has completed 56.1% of his passes for 652 yards, 3 TD, & 1 INT. The other top receivers for the Rams have been Dante Wright (10 rec, 146 yards), E.J. Scott (6 rec, 47 yards), & Ty McCullouch (3 rec, 36 yards). Leading the way for the Rams backfield has been David Bailey who has 258 yards & 2 TD’s on 64 carries to go along with 7 receptions for 63 yards & 2 TD’s.
Defensively, Colorado State is allowing their opponents to average 24.0 ppg on 366.3 total yards per game (244.0 passing yds/g; 122.3 rushing yds/g).
The 5th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes improved to 3-0 on the season after defeating the Kent State Golden Flashes, 30-7, this past Saturday. Iowa led by a 16-7 margin at halftime and was able to pull away after a 35-yard TD run by Tyler Goodson gave the Hawkeyes a 23-7 lead late in the 3rd quarter. Iowa outgained Kent State by a 418-264 margin and committed just 1 turnover in the victory. Leading the way for the Hawkeyes was Tyler Goodson who had 153 rushing yards & 3 TD’s on 22 carries.
On the season, Iowa is averaging 30.3 ppg on 298.0 total yards per game (154.3 passing yds/g; 143.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Iowa has been led by RB Tyler Goodson who has rushed for 307 yards & 5 TD’s on 62 carries. QB Spencer Petras has completed 58.3% of his passes for 460 yards & 2 TD. The top receiving threats for the Hawkeyes have been Sam LaPorta (13 rec, 169 yards, TD), Nico Ragaini (7 rec, 75 yards), Tyrone Tracy (9 rec, 70 yards), & Charlie Jones (3 rec, 38 yards, TD).
Defensively, Iowa is holding their opponents to an average of 10.0 ppg on 278.7 total yards per game (197.7 passing yds/g; 81.0 rushing yds/g).
The Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Hawkeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
Colorado State picked up a nice win against Toledo last week, however, I’m still not sold on the Rams. Colorado State does have some impact players on the offensive end, highlighted by one of the better TE’s in the country in Trey McBride, however, this is still a team that lost by 19 points at home against an FCS team. Iowa is one of the best teams in the country, led by their outstanding defense that ranks 4th in scoring defense, and as I think the Iowa offense will be able to find a few times against the Colorado State defense, I’m taking Iowa to cover this large home spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Iowa Hawkeyes -23
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05