Iowa vs. Michigan State total pick
Will two teams that pride themselves on defense be able to live up to expectations today as Michigan State hosts Iowa at 4PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Michigan State is favored at home, as the Spartans are getting odds of -4 points against the Hawkeyes. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 44 points. Michigan State has won three of the last four against Iowa and the two have hit the under in five of their last seven meetings. Today’s game takes place from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The game will air live on FOX.
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Michigan State is 2-1 this season following a 38-18 loss at home to Notre Dame last week. The Spartans are 2-1 with the under, hitting the over in last week’s loss at home. MSU is allowing just 20.7 points and 254 yards per game defensively this year. On offense, MSU is averaging 27 points and 472.7 yards per game. Quarterback Brian Lewerke has thrown for 751 yards and six touchdowns this season. He is also the leading rusher with 206 yards and two scores. LJ Scott has run for 186 yards to be the leading rusher of the backs.
Iowa is 3-1 on the season following a 21-19 loss at home to Penn State last week in its Big Ten opener. The Hawkeyes 3-1 with the under on the season, but hit the over in their lone home game. Iowa is holding opponents to just 19.8 points per game on defense despite allowing 396 yards per contest. Offensively, Iowa is putting up 29.5 points and 367 yards per game. Nathan Stanley has thrown for 846 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the offense while Akrum Wadley had 338 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Wadley also is the leading receiver with 10 catches for 227 yards and two touchdowns.
Bet on Iowa vs. Michigan State
Both teams are going to be looking to run the ball and both teams also pride themselves on being able to stop the run. Michigan State got exposed a little bit last week against the Irish, but I don’t think Iowa has the same offensive firepower. Look for MSU to get back to holding their opponents to a low score today. For Iowa, the Hawkeyes managed to hold the Penn State offense in check last week and I don’t think the Spartans pose a great challenge behind a lackluster offense. The total is low, but MSU has hit the under in four of its last five at home and I see it hitting again today.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: IOWA/MICHIGAN STATE UNDER 44