The Iowa Hawkeyes’ offensive ineptitude is so bad that even sportsbooks show them zero respect.
Averaging just four yards per play, second worst in the FBS, oddsmakers have placed Iowa’s total over/under for each half at just a half a point.
That’s right, a single-field goal in each half wins you the over on Iowa’s total (-135 first half, -125 second half).
The lack of love for the Hawkeyes isn’t necessarily new; they average only 8.9 points per half, one of the worst figures among FBS schools.
But on Saturday night in the Big Ten title game they face a Michigan Wolverine defense that is among the best in the country.
They’re averaging 10.3 points against per game, and only the 4.3 yards per play on average is the fourth-best number in college football.
But Iowa also features an excellent defense, allowing 3.9 yards per play, second-best in the country behind Penn State.
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa +22.5 vs. Michigan | Over/Under 35.5 (-110) | Michigan -2000 vs. Iowa +1000 |
Iowa scored 13 points against Nebraska, who boasts a solid defense in its own right, ranking eighth in yards per play allowed (4.4) and 13th in points per game (18.3).
Aside from a poor showing against Deion Sanders’ Colorado, Nebraska allowed Iowa to run wild on its defense.
The argument for the over will stop and end with running back Leshon Williams, who ran 16 times for 111 yards against Nebraska.
It won’t be an easy task against a Michigan defense that allows just 3.1 yards per carry and hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher yet this season.
It will be tough sledding for No. 18 Iowa, and it can’t win if it don’t score.
So if you’re flirting with a bet on Iowa +22 against Michigan, it might be just to do a same game parlay on the two overs because this is disrespect we haven’t seen in some time.