Iowa vs Michigan State Prediction College Football Picks 10/19/24

The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans meet Saturday in college football action from Spartan Stadium. Here’s an Iowa vs Michigan State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Iowa vs Michigan State pick. We will examine:

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ recent form and player performance

The Michigan State Spartans’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Iowa Hawkeyes

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Michigan State Spartans

Recent betting trends in games played between Iowa and Michigan State

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Iowa vs Michigan State game

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

Iowa managed to win three of their first four games, taking out Illinois State 40-0, Troy 38-21, and Minnesota 31-14. The lone blemish was a tight 20-19 loss to Iowa State. The Hawkeyes would then fall 35-7 to Ohio State in game five.

Last Saturday versus Washington, Iowa was up 20-10 by the break. The Hawkeyes scored 17 fourth-quarter points on the way to a 40-16 win. QB Cade McNamara finished with 108 yards and two touchdowns. Kaleb Johnson rushed 21 times for 166 yards and two scores.

Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview

Over on the Spartans’ side, they were able to win their first three games 16-10 over Florida Atlantic, 27-24 versus Maryland and 40-0 against Prairie View. Since then it’s been a string of three losses to Boston College, Ohio State, and Oregon.

On October 4 versus Oregon in their last outing, the Spartans were down 24-0 heading into the final quarter. Michigan State managed 10 cosmetic points in a 31-10 loss. QB Aidan Chiles finished with 154 yards, and Nick Marsh caught three balls for 58 yards to top the receivers.

Why the Michigan State Spartans will win

• Michigan State has won five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Michigan State has covered the spread in five of its last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Michigan State has lost each of its last five games in October.
• Iowa has won four of its last five road games against conference opponents.
• Iowa has covered the spread in five of its last six October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Michigan State has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against conference opponents at Spartan Stadium.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Michigan State’s last six October games at Spartan Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Iowa’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams has gone OVER the total points line.

Iowa vs Michigan State Prediction

I’m going to stay with Iowa. The Hawkeyes were great on the ground versus Washington in their latest win, notching 220 rush yards (328 total) and 6.4 yards per play. Iowa gave up 393 yards (266 passing) and 23 first downs but also came up with two turnovers and gave up just 5-of-15 on third-down tries. It was a pretty solid win, all things considered.

As for Michigan State, they’ve had a run of three tough games over their last trio, dropping the team back to .500 overall. The Spartans mustered just 250 yards (191 passing), 16 first downs, and 2-of-11 on third-down tries against a great Oregon team in their latest outing. Iowa probably won’t be as difficult to gain yards on, but I still don’t think Michigan State covers in this one.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes -6