Iowa (4-3) vs Northwestern (3-4)
Game Info: Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 3:30 pm (Kinnick Stadium)
The Line: Betting Odds: Iowa -13.5 / Northwestern +13.5 — Over/Under: 36.5
The Northwestern Wildcats and the Iowa Hawkeyes meet Saturday in college football action from Kinnick Stadium. Here’s a Northwestern vs Iowa prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Northwestern vs Iowa pick. We will examine:
The Northwestern Wildcats’ recent form and player performance
The Iowa Hawkeyes’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Northwestern Wildcats
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Iowa Hawkeyes
Recent betting trends in games played between Northwestern and Iowa
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Northwestern vs Iowa game
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
The Wildcats managed a 2-2 record over their first four games this year, beating Miami-OH and Eastern Illinois with losses otherwise to Duke (OT) and Washington. After another loss to Indiana 41-24, Northwestern beat Maryland 37-10.
Matched up against Wisconsin last weekend the Wildcats went into the break down 14-0 and could only muster a field goal in a 23-3 defeat. QB Jack Lausch went 9-of-24 for 82 yards passing and also led the rush with 10 carries for 55 yards.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
Over on the Iowa side, they posted a 3-2 run to start out the year. The losses were versus Iowa State and Ohio State with wins over Illinois State, Troy, and Minnesota. Game six was another victory, this time 40-16 over Washington.
In the Michigan State game, the Hawkeyes were down 12-0 going into the third quarter and eventually fell 32-20. Cade McNamara threw for 150 yards, one score, and one pick. Kaleb Johnson was the team’s leading rusher with 98 yards and a TD off 14 totes.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win
- Iowa has won five of its last six games at Kinnick Stadium.
- Northwestern has lost four of its last five October road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last three games between Northwestern and Iowa.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Northwestern has won four of its last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Northwestern has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Iowa’s last six games as a favorite has gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of Northwestern’s last five October road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Iowa ranks 8th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.9).
- Iowa ranks T10th among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters this season (+5.7).
- Northwestern ranks T8th among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (2.4).
- Northwestern ranks T124th among FBS teams for H1 points per game this season (8.0).
Northwestern vs Iowa Prediction
I’ll stick with Iowa. The Hawkeyes had some trouble getting the offense going during most of the Michigan State game. Iowa finished with 283 total yards (150 passing), 12 first downs, and a 5-of-11 rate on third-down conversions. On the other side, the Hawkeyes gave up 468 yards (212 rushing) and 27 first downs.
As for Northwestern, they didn’t look so great against a solid Badgers team this past weekend. the Wildcats posted just 209 total yards (127 rushing), 3.8 yards per play, nine first downs, and a dismal 2-of-14 on third-down tries. That’s five or fewer points in two of the last four games for Northwestern, and I don’t think they’ll put up too many scoreboard fireworks here either.