Iowa vs. Boston College Bowl Pick
Are the Iowa Hawkeyes a good bet to cover the point spread Wednesday evening when they take on the Boston College Eagles at 5:15 p.m. ET in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl?
WHO ODDSMAKERS LIKE: Iowa. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Hawkeyes are 2.5-point favorites to beat the Eagles, who opened as 3-point underdogs before the line dropped. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 46.5 points before dropping to 45 at most sports books.
Bet the New Era Pinstripe Bowl
WHO PUBLIC BETTORS LIKE: Split. As of Wednesday morning, 50% of the betting tickets are on the Eagles and 50% are on the Golden Eagles. Meanwhile, 65% of the money is on Boston College.
INJURY REPORT: For the Eagles, Harold Landry (ankle) is questionable but Anthony Brown (knee), Connor Strachan (knee) and Jon Baker (knee) are out for the year. On the other side, Miles Taylor (leg) is probable for Iowa while Michael Ojemudia (undisclosed) is questionable, as is Nick Easley (undisclosed). Brandon Snyder (knee), Boone Myers (ankle), and Ike Boettger (Achilles) is out for the year.
WHO WE LIKE: Iowa. Boston College was one of the surprise teams of the season about midway through the year but after losing Brown their offense went quiet again. And unlike the past few seasons when it was mostly an impenetrable force, BC’s defense hasn’t been as stout this season.
The Eagles are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight bowl games, are 1-4 against the number in their last five games versus Big Ten opponents, and are 1-8 at the betting window in their last nine games in December.
I look for New Jersey native Akrum Wadley to have a big game today for Iowa, which also boasts a defense that features dynamic duo Josey Jewell and Josh Jackson.
NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL PREDICTIONS: IOWA HAWKEYES -2.5