Iowa Hawkeyes vs Northwestern Wildcats Point Spread Picks

Iowa's defense was supposed to be strong coming into the season and they have been. The Hawkeyes are 17th in the country in yards allowed, 20th on third down (31.43%), and fifth in points given up (14.5 per game). Iowa has won 11 of its last 14 games, including four of five on the road. Northwestern's defense is 64th in points allowed (26.9 per game) and 69th on third down. And the offense has been a mess all season ranked 114th in total yards, 99th in points, and 79th on third down (37.62%). QB Ben Bryant is still injured and doubtful so backup QB Brendan Sullivan will likely start again. Iowa whipped Northwestern last year, 33-13, and the wagering value is on the Big 10 visitors to win the game. Make it a Max Play on Iowa (moneyline). 

Iowa gave up 54 points to Ohio St. and turned the ball over 6 times. They have been held to 14 or fewer points in 5 of their 7 games on the season. It is going to be very difficult for a really horrible offense to get the distance in this game vs Northwestern. Northwestern is an average defensive team, but the Iowa offense is not good enough to take advantage of it. Iowa has gained 166 total yards or fewer in three games this season, and I don't expect much more than that here. The Hawkeyes are 3-4 despite having one of the best defenses in the country, but the offense is just as bad as the defense is good. Can't see them double-digits to any team. Make the play on Northwestern.

Northwestern is tops in college football allowing just three points per game. Okay, so they've only played one game, but they were expected to be strong after allowing 23.6 points per contest last season, No. 26 in the nation in yards allowed. Northwestern is 15-6 UNDER the total after a victory of 20-plus points, plus 13-5 UNDER after scoring more than 40 points in the last game. It's going to be cool and windy in Iowa on Saturday, and the Hawkeye defense is solid all-around after ranking No. 12 in the nation in 2019 in yards allowed, and fifth in points (13.2 per game). Iowa is 34-22 UNDER at home when the total is between 42.5 and 49, and the UNDER is on a 11-4 run when these rivals clash, including final scores the last two years of 20-0 and 14-10. Take Northwestern/Iowa UNDER the total.