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The Wisconsin Badgers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on FOX.
Iowa is favored by -3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -160. Wisconsin, meanwhile, enters as a +3.5 underdog and is +132 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 36.5 total points.
Here’s my Wisconsin vs. Iowa prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 31.
Wisconsin vs Iowa Prediction
- Wisconsin vs. Iowa Pick: Iowa Team Total Over 20.5 or Better
My Iowa vs. Wisconsin best bet is on the Hawkeyes to go over their team total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Wisconsin vs Iowa Odds
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -122 | 36.5 -110o / -110u | +132 |
| Iowa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 +100 | 36.5 -110o / -110u | -160 |
- Wisconsin vs Iowa Spread: Iowa -3.5 (+100), Wisconsin +3.5 (-122)
- Wisconsin vs Iowa Over/Under: 36.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Wisconsin vs Iowa Moneyline: Wisconsin +132, Iowa -160
Wisconsin vs Iowa College Football Preview
Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview: Defense Leads the Way
Wisconsin throttled USC at home in Week 8, maintaining just a single loss in conference play.
The defense continues to be one of the best in the nation under coordinator Mike Tressel. The Badgers limited the Trojans to just 1.9 yards per play on 20 rushing attempts, also neutering a high-octane passing attack to zero receptions of 20-plus yards.
With a heavy mix of Cover 3 and Cover 2, Wisconsin is a top-five defense in Passing Success Rate allowed and Passing EPA allowed.
Quarterback Colton Joseph played one of his best games of the season against USC, going 12-of-14 in the passing game with a touchdown and no interceptions.
Three of the Badgers' nine offensive possessions were methodical, defined as obtaining at least 10 plays in a drive.
Joseph continues to lead in the rushing attack alongside Abu Sama III, as the Badgers have one of the highest Rush EPA numbers thanks to critical yards near the goal line.
While the defense is the main driver for Wisconsin, Joseph must continue to work on cleaning up his eight fumbles over the past five games.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview: Time to Bounce Back
The offensive outburst from Jeremy Hecklinski against Washington came to a screeching halt in Week 8. The quarterback managed three turnover-worthy plays against Minnesota before initial starting quarterback Hank Brown resumed duties under center.
The pair combined for less than 200 yards passing on 37 attempts for a touchdown and three interceptions.
To much surprise, the rushing attack was stymied by the Gophers, as LJ Phillips Jr. and Kamari Moulton were each held under 25 yards rushing. Moulton also left the game with an injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Uncharacteristically, it was the Iowa special teams that set up the game-winning kick for Minnesota.
The Iowa defense did its part in keeping the Gophers in check. Minnesota averaged 2.7 yards per carry while being stuffed on nearly half of its rushing attempts.
The Hawkeyes have been fantastic against the run, ranking 11th in Rushing Success Rate allowed and 10th in Defensive Line Yards.
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker's 4-2-5 continues to be a nightmare for opposing offenses, as the Hawkeyes rank top-20 in Quality Drives allowed and third-down defense.
Wisconsin vs Iowa Pick, Betting Analysis
There are a number of blockers for each offense when Wisconsin travels to Iowa.
The Badgers' pass defense is one of the best in the nation, with high success in Cover 3 and Cover 2 while generating the fourth-best coverage grade, per PFF.
Iowa has had no luck against Cover 2, generating a negative EPA and a 43% Success Rate.
Cover 3 has been a more successful look for both Hecklinski and Brown, but Tressel may implement a heavier rate of man coverage thanks to the film from Minnesota. Ultimately, this game could come down to each team's rushing attack.
Wisconsin uses a heavy amount of man assignment blocking in 12 personnel and inside zone in 11 personnel.
The Badgers own an average FBS Success Rate with both concepts, but the Iowa defense has been excellent against offenses using two tight ends with man blocking assignments.
Conversely, the Hawkeyes' rushing attack utilizes heavy outside zone with 12 personnel. Iowa ranks 11th nationally in Rush EPA thanks to the run concept that produces a big play on one of every five attempts.
Wisconsin has been average against outside zone, but teams using a two-tight-end set have crushed the Badgers from a Success Rate perspective.
There are small advantages throughout the statistics for Iowa, from run concept usage to special teams.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell has had severe struggles against Iowa since taking the position in 2022. The Hawkeyes have won three straight against Fickell by a combined 78 points, scoring 42 and 37 against the Badgers over the past two years.
As the total falls in the market, a better team total number will present itself for an Iowa offense that should rebound from a poor road performance in Week 8.
Pick: Iowa Team Total Over 20.5 or Better
Wisconsin vs Iowa Betting Trends
