Wisconsin Badgers (4-3) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (6-1)
Game Info: Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 12:00 pm (Camp Randall Stadium)
Betting Odds: Wisconsin Badgers -3.5 -- Over/Under: 36.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 9th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes will travel to Camp Randall Stadium to take on the Wisconsin Badgers this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The 9th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes dropped to 6-1 on the season after being defeated by the Purdue Boilermakers, 24-7, on October 19th. Iowa could not get anything going on the offensive end against Purdue and could not fight back after a 31-yard FG by the Boilermakers gave Purdue a 17-7 lead with 11:07 left in regulation. Iowa was outgained by Purdue by a 464-271 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 4-1 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Hawkeyes was RB Tyler Goodson who had 68 rushing yards on 12 carries.
On the season, Iowa is averaging 28.0 ppg on 310.9 total yards per game (194.3 passing yds/g; 116.6 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Iowa has been led by RB Tyler Goodson who has 586 rushing yards & 5 TD’s on 136 carries while also hauling in 18 receptions for 178 yards & 1 TD. QB Spencer Petras has completed 59.5% of his passes for 1333 yards, 9 TD, & 6 INT. The top receiving threats for the Hawkeyes have been Sam LaPorta (28 rec, 332 yards, 2 TD), Nico Ragaini (17 rec, 234 yards, TD), Keagan Johnson (6 rec, 187 yards, TD), & Charlie Jones (12 rec, 124 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, Iowa is holding their opponents to an average of 14.6 ppg on 301.1 total yards per game (211.4 passing yds/g; 89.7 rushing yds/g).
The Wisconsin Badgers won their 3rd straight game and improved to 4-3 on the season after defeating the 25th ranked Purdue Boilermakers, 30-13, this past Saturday. Wisconsin had arguably their best offensive showing of the season and had no trouble securing the victory after a 14-yard TD run by Braelon Allen gave the Badgers a 27-13 lead with 10:13 left in the 4th quarter. Wisconsin outgained Purdue by a 342-206 margin and won the turnover battle by a 5-2 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Badgers was the Braelon Allen who had 140 rushing yards & 2 TD on 12 carries.
On the season, Wisconsin is averaging 28.0 ppg on 310.9 total yards per game (194.3 passing yds/g; 116.6 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Wisconsin has been led by the RB duo of Chez Mellusi (139 att, 692 yards, 4 TD) & Braelon Allen (58 att, 428 yards, 5 TD). QB Graham Mertz has completed 55.9% of his passes for 945 yards, 2 TD, & 7 INT. The top receiving threats for the Badgers have been Danny Davis III (18 rec, 241 yards), Kendric Pryor (18 rec, 225 yards, TD), Jake Ferguson (22 rec, 202 yards), & Chimere Dike (10 rec, 111 yards, TD).
Defensively, Wisconsin is holding their opponents to an average of 18.4 ppg on 223.0 total yards per game (169.7 passing yds/g; 53.3 rushing yds/g).
The Hawkeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Badgers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Wisconsin has been playing better as of late, however, their offense still has a bunch of question marks while QB Graham Mertz has really struggled with turnovers. Iowa also has some question marks on the offensive end, however, their defense still ranks 3rd in College Football in scoring defense and 7th in rushing defense. I think this is going to be a low scoring game, however, as I trust Spencer Petras more than Graham Mertz and that I think Iowa will be able to force some turnovers, I think the clear play here is to take the Hawkeyes and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Iowa Hawkeyes +3.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05