Texas vs. Iowa State Pick
Will Texas go on the road and pick up a win over Iowa State when the two meet in a Big 12 Conference clash tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Texas is favored in tonight’s game, as the Longhorns are getting odds of -4.5 points against the Cyclones. The over/under total for the game is listed at 62.5 points. Texas has won five of the last six against Iowa State, but the Cyclones have covered the spread in three of the last four meetings. Tonight’s game takes place from Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa and will air live on ESPN.
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Iowa State is 2-1 on the season with the lone loss being in overtime against Iowa three weeks ago. The Cyclones are a perfect 3-0 against the spread. Defensively, Iowa State is allowing 27.3 points and 402 yards per game including nearly 300 passing yards per contest. Iowa State is averaging 41.3 points and 460 yards per game on offense this season. Jacob Park is having a great start to 2017, throwing for 935 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions. David Montgomery has rushed for 321 yards and four touchdowns while Hakeem Butler is the leading receiver with 15 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns.
Texas has started the season 1-2 with losses to Maryland and USC. The Longhorns are 2-1 against the spread, covering in its lone road game at USC two weeks ago. Texas is averaging 40.3 points per game on offense right now while putting up 487.3 yards per game behind a balanced attack. Shane Buechele started the year at QB but has been battling a shoulder injury that has caused him to miss the last few weeks. He remains questionable to play tonight as well. Sam Ehlinger has replaced him and thrown for 520 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 58 yards. Chris Warren III is the leading rusher with 212 yards and two touchdowns while Collin Johnson has 16 receptions for 366 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Texas is holding opponents to 26 points and 373 yards per game. Their pass defense is allowing 248.3 yards per contest.
Texas has been somewhat of a mystery team. The Longhorns have looked terrible at times, but have been getting better and nearly upset USC on the road a few weeks ago. They come to Iowa State as a favorite, but I still expect the Longhorns to have a learning curve throughout the year with a new head coach. Iowa State has been tough at home, covering in seven of their last eight games there. They are also accustomed to playing on Thursday’s, covering in five straight Thursday games. Texas is just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games. Texas may win, but it may take a late field goal to do it. I like the Cyclones to cover.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: IOWA STATE +4.5