Since their Orange Bowl season of 2012 Northern Illinois has been one of the most respected teams from the Mid-American Conference. Indeed, they followed up that epic year with 12 and 11-win bowl seasons. But starting with 2015 the Huskies have fallen a notch. Their last three campaigns saw win totals of eight, five, and eight wins last year. As a result, head coach Rod Carey is facing increased pressure. Many believe his initial success was built with predecessor Dave Doeren’s players. Meanwhile Iowa remains slow and steady with the college football betting odds.
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
Date and Time: Saturday, September 1, 2018, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
College Football Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Illinois | +10½ (-110) | 48½ (-110) |  |
| Iowa | -10½ (-110) | 48½ (-110) | |
| |||
Huskies vs. Hawkeyes TV Coverage: Big Ten Network
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa may not be exciting but they are clearly identifiable. For example, they are coming off consecutive 8-5 seasons. Most of all they scored epic upset home wins over Michigan in 2016 and Ohio State last year. Of course, outside of their 12-2 season of 2016 Iowa has been an above average program. Kirk Ferentz enters his 20th season as head Hawkeye. Admittedly Iowa has not been a best bet with the college football betting odds. However, Ferentz has kept things stable and respectable.
Nate Stanley
Junior quarterback Nate Stanley returns to the fold for Iowa. Naturally he is emblematic of the Hawkeyes personality. In a similar light he can be both great and frustratingly bad at times. For example, Stanley threw five touchdown passes in the win over Ohio State. But against Wisconsin he threw for just 41 yards. More emphatically the usually good Iowa offensive line is being rebuilt. And star running back Akrum Wadley is gone. Of major concern are all of the new faces in the offensive lineup.
Gaps in Defense
Defensively the Hawkeyes also have major graduation losses to fill. To bring to light all three linebackers have departed. Further All Americans Josey Jewell and Josh Jackson have moved on. Defensive end remains a strength with AJ Espenesa an emerging star.
Northern Illinois Huskies
Northern Illinois returns its entire offensive line and quarterback Marcus Childers. In view of Childers winning MAC Freshman of the Year for 2017 optimism reigns. In particular the defense is an asset with that ranked in the upper fifth of the country. Extending its potential is that most starters return.
Team vs Team
Northern Illinois has been one of the top sportsbook values as a road dog. To be exact they have lost just three out of their last 16 vs. the line in that role. Additionally, seven our their last 10 as road dogs went under the total. Iowa has covered four of their last six as a home chalk. And four of their last five in that role have gone under the total.
Stats to Consider
On the whole Northern Illinois has had the better of this head to head series. To begin with Iowa has failed to cover their last four meetings with Northern Illinois. Three of those four games also went under the total.
Matchup to Watch
Northern Illinois is a potentially strong value with the college football betting odds.
More emphatically they are proven as a road dog and against Iowa.
College Football Betting Odds Picks
To conclude Northern Illinois is the better choice in this matchup.
Northern Illinois vs. Iowa Pick: Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois vs. Iowa Score Prediction: Northern Illinois 21, Iowa 20
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