Iowa (0-0) vs Illinois State (0-0)
Game Info: Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 12:00 pm (Kinnick Stadium)
Betting Odds: Iowa -22.5 / Illinois State +22.5 --- Over/Under: 40.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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In this article we will formulate an Illinois State vs Iowa prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, August 31st at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this matchup.
Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds went 6-5 (4-4) last season and they finished tied for seventh in the Missouri Valley. Illinois State did not play any FBS teams in 2023, but they did win three of their first four games. After the first four games, the Redbirds did drop three out of four games, before finishing the season with a win against Missouri State, a win against Murray State, and a loss against North Dakota.
Illinois State had one of the best offensive attacks in the FCS last season, but they will have a new quarterback for this campaign. The Redbirds do return their starting running back, a lot of production from their wide receivers, and more than half of their linemen. The Illinois State defense was in the top 25 for points allowed per game in 2023 and they return a good amount of the production, so the defense should be even better.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
The Iowa Hawkeyes went 10-4 (7-3) last year and they finished first in the Big Ten West standings. Iowa started the season with three straight wins last year, but they did lose 31-0 at Penn State in their forth game. The Hawkeyes went on to win seven of their last eight regular season games, but they had one of the worst offenses in the country. Iowa was shut out by a combined 61-0 in the Big Ten Championship and the Citrus Bowl by Michigan and Tennessee
Iowa has to be better offensively this year, as they have consistently been terrible over the past few seasons, despite getting elite defense on the other side of the ball. Cade McNamara should be healthy to start the season at quarterback and they will have Brendan Sullivan as a backup, but the offensive line needs to be better to allow for more passing downfield. Iowa’s defense should be just as good as last season or maybe even slightly better, so if the offense can figure things out, the Hawkeyes could have a very solid season.
Why Illinois State Redbirds will cover against Iowa
- Iowa has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five home openers.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Iowa's last six games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Iowa ranked 7th among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (4.1).
- Iowa ranked 17th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (8.6).
Illinois State vs Iowa Prediction
Iowa comes into this season after posting a 10-win season in 2023, but it didn’t feel that successful with how poorly the offense played. The Hawkeyes are hoping a change at OC and a healthy McNamara will be the difference, but I need to see it before I believe it. Iowa’s defense should be able to control this game, but Illinois State has a solid defense of their own, so it will be a good early test for Iowa’s offense. We have a very low total in this game, which isn’t a surprise, but Iowa is laying more than three touchdowns. I am not comfortable laying that many points with this Iowa offense until I see improvement, so give me Illinois State and the points here.
David’s Pick Illinois State +22.5
AUTHOR: David Racey
Mitch's Take...
