No. 18 Iowa at Iowa State
Latest Odds: Iowa -1.5 | Total 44.5
The Cy-Hawk Trophy has been owned by the Hawkeyes over the past four years. Iowa State hasn’t beaten its in-state rival since 2014. Last year, Iowa defended its home field with a 13-3 win that covered the 3.5-point line. This is the first time ESPN’s College Gameday will set up in Ames, and the fans will be on a different level come kickoff.
Iowa State is coming off a bye week, which under normal circumstances would be a big deal. But surprisingly, the Cyclones are just 2-8 straight up in their last 10 games off an open week. In Week 1, Iowa State was lucky to survive a triple-overtime scare against Northern Iowa, and the poor showing dropped ISU out of the Top 25. QB Brock Purdy fumbled on the 2-yard line, which would have ended the game if the Panthers had recovered. Luckily for Iowa State, they didn’t, and the Cyclones ended up punching in the winning touchdown to get their first victory.
Iowa comes into this game red hot after steamrolling Rutgers 30-0 last week in Iowa City. They also cruised in their opener against Miami of Ohio and have crept up in the rankings. On defense, the Hawkeyes are giving up only 185 yards per game and have looked great despite returning just four starters from last year’s squad. The other side of the ball features two NFL-caliber tackles and QB Nate Stanley, who has completed 64 percent of his passes so far. Iowa can run the ball with anyone in America, but Stanley’s arm might be the difference in this year’s team.
This game has been decided by six points or fewer in five of the last eight seasons but Jim Power says this game won’t be close at all.
Jim Nails College Lock of the Week with Iowa St +1.5!
JIM POWERS COLLEGE LOCK of the WEEK only $10!
