Trying to predict the Big Ten through the conference’s first two weeks of college football action has been like trying to get my fiance to stop ordering things we don’t need from Amazon - seemingly impossible and frustrating as hell.
That won’t be any different when Michigan State visits Iowa. The Spartans got beaten handily by Rutgers, only to upset rival Michigan. While Iowa is 0-2 after two close defeats and is a 7-point home favorite.
Let’s try our best at unraveling this puzzle with college football predictions for Michigan State at Iowa, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday, November 7 at 12:00 ET.
Michigan State Spartans at Iowa Hawkeyes betting preview
Weather
It should be a beautiful afternoon for football at Kinnick Stadium. The forecast is calling for clear skies with temperatures in the mid-60s. Bettors should note there is expected to be a 14-15 mile per hour wind gusting towards the north end zone. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Michigan State: Jack Camper DE (Questionable), Luke Campbell OL (Questionable), Devonte Dobbs OL (Questionable), Blake Bueter OL (Questionable), Matt Carrick G (Questionable), Matt Allen OL (Questionable).
Iowa: Matt Lorbeck DL (Questionable), Max Cooper WR (Questionable), Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR (Out).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Iowa hasn't been a great bet in Big Ten play dating back to last season. The Hawkeyes are just 3-6-1 ATS over their last 10 conference games. Find more NCAA betting trends for Michigan State vs. Iowa.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
Yes, the Mel Tucker era at Michigan State got off to a shockingly bad start. The Spartans committed seven turnovers in a 38-27 loss as 9.5-point home favorites against Rutgers. Rutgers! But hey, Tucker is 1-0 against Michigan. So, all is good. Yup, after that horrible loss, Sparty bounced back with a 27-24 win over the Wolverines in a game in which they were 21.5-point underdogs.
The Spartans rode a heck of a performance from QB Rocky Lombardi (now, that is a Hall of Fame football name). The junior QB, from Iowa no less, threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns with no picks against what is expected to be a strong Michigan secondary.
On the other side, the Iowa offense has struggled in 2020. The Hawkeyes have scored exactly 20 points in each of their first two games, and while Northwestern is always known for having a stout defense, Purdue is not. QB Spencer Petras is completing just 54 percent of his passes and has just one TD to three picks, while the rush offense ranks 77th in the country at 136 yards per game.
It's just hard to envision the Hawkeyes covering a touchdown (or more) in a game that's expected to be as low-scoring as this.
PREDICTION: Michigan State +7 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
If you’re looking at some of the trends for this game, many are pointing towards the Under and oddsmakers are respecting that, setting the total for this game at a nice and low 46. But is it low enough for us to attack the Over?
Well, Iowa is probably a little better than they've been playing on offense so far, and have plenty of depth. The Hawkeyes have a pair of quality running backs in Tyler Goodson and Mekhi Sargent and already have five players with at least six catches this season. They are due to score a little more than the 20 they’ve put up in the first two weeks.
On the other side, if Michigan State can limit the turnovers, it has proven it can move the ball. This total is a touch too low.
PREDICTION: Over 46 (-110)
Team to Score First Prop Pick
If you had to use an animal to describe Iowa’s starts to games this season, it would have to be a snail. The Hawkeyes have scored a total of three points in the first of their two games this season. While Michigan State hasn’t blown the doors off teams early, they still have averaged 13.5 first-half points per game. Which means the Spartans are giving us some good value to score first in this one.
PREDICTION: Michigan State (+117)
Michigan State vs Iowa betting card
- Michigan State +7 (-110)
- Over 46 (-110)
- Team to Score First - Michigan State (+117)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NCAA Michigan State vs. Iowa picks, you could win $69.09 on a $10 bet?
Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbooks, including NCAA football point spreads, Over/Under totals, derivative bets and even prop plays as well. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
