2010 Insight Bowl: Missouri vs. Iowa Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
Tempe, AZ (The Spread) - The decimated Iowa Hawkeyes hope to end a miserable year on a high note when they take on Missouri in the 2010 Insight Bowl tonight at 10:00PM ET. Continue reading for odds, picks and more on this college football bowl matchup.
According to latest college football odds and oddsmkaers from online sports book Sportsbookcom, Missouri is a 2.5-point favorite over Iowa on Tuesday night. The over/under total for this game is currently 46.5 points.
The Tigers wrapped up their 2010 regular season with a 10-2 record and covered in seven of their 12 overall games according to latest college football trends. The under hit in eight of their 12 games overall as they held opponents to just 15.2 points per contest.
The Hawkeyes had high hopes for a big season dashed when they finished a paltry 7-5. They failed to cover in six of their 12 games this season with one push. They did average 29.1 points per game, however, and held opponents to 16.4 PPG.
Insight Bowl Free Pick:
Sometimes it pays off to take a backwards approach to betting and go against your gut. Iowa won’t have receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (drug arrest) or its top two running backs in Adam Robinson and Jewel Hampton. This has caused the line to shift from Iowa +1 to +2.5 and it may go as high as 3 closer to kickoff. But let’s not forget that this is a Hawkeye team that is allowing just 16.4 points per game and has been extremely tough against the run. They’re allowing just 103.5 yards per game, which ranks them sixth in the nation. They also still have senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi and star receiver Marvin McNutt, so their offense won’t be completely hapless. There’s no doubt Missouri is a tough team but one has to wonder if psychotically they have a disadvantage knowing that Iowa will be without some heavy offensive hitters. We think the Hawkeyes’ defense will win this game and Iowa will pull off the upset. Our pick is Iowa +2.5.
2010 INSIGHT BOWL FREE PICK: IOWA HAWKAYES +2.5