Iowa 2018 Betting Preview: Why Hawkeyes Can Challenge for Big Ten West

Iowa 2018 Betting Odds

• To win the National Title: +40000
• To win the Big Ten: +4000
• To win the Big Ten West: +1200
• Win Total: 7.5 (over +105, under -125)

Always shop for the best line.

Iowa 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 6.9

Bet To Watch

Iowa to win the Big Ten West +1200

Every preseason, I want to handicap Iowa as a team on the downward slide while the rest of the Big Ten West improves through recruiting and coaching upgrades. But Kirk Ferentz & Co. always seem to be a step ahead.

Evidence: Making the 2016 Rose Bowl, dropping a piano on Ohio State in 2017, and having the best new tradition in all of college football with the Children’s Hospital wave.

While Wisconsin is the heavy favorite to take the West division, Iowa has the much easier path. Both Iowa and Wisconsin must visit Penn State, but the Hawkeyes have an advantage as the Nittany Lions could be caught looking ahead to Michigan.

In the other cross-division game, Wisconsin draws a visit to Michigan while Iowa plays host to Maryland.  This is a major scheduling advantage for Iowa, and could help the Hawkeyes win more conference games than the Badgers.

For Iowa +1200 to win the Big Ten West or +4000 for the Big Ten, the hedge spot comes Sept. 22 when Wisconsin visits Kinnick Stadium, with a projected spread of +10 for the Hawkeyes. Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley was brutal against the Badgers in 2017, going 8-of-24 for 41 yards. This year could see more of the same, but with a Wisconsin moneyline expected around -350, there will be ample room to hedge the division bet.

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What else you need to know about Iowa

Iowa has ranked in the top 15 defensively against explosiveness during the past three years. Penn State generally ranks in the top 20 in offensive explosiveness, and Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley should keep those numbers intact. Look for this to be a potential upset spot, as Penn State has Michigan and Wisconsin to deal with after the Hawkeyes.

Useless Trends

• Iowa is 12-3 ATS as a road favorite since 2013.
• Per BetLabs: Since 2006, Iowa is 20-35-1 ATS when favored by a touchdown or more and getting more than 50% of betting tickets.

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