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Iowa Football: Point spread picks and rooting interests in Week 0

By Matt Opad

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 2: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes slips a tackle by defensive back Marcell Harris #26 of the Florida Gators during a carry in the third quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game on January 2, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 2: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes slips a tackle by defensive back Marcell Harris #26 of the Florida Gators during a carry in the third quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game on January 2, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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While the Iowa football team doesn’t play this week, we are treated to two games to kick off the season. Here are my picks and who we should be rooting for.

It’s official. College football is back! Although we have to wait one more week for the Iowa football season to begin, the college football season begins this weekend.

Once the Iowa football season gets started, I’ll focus on Big Ten teams as well as ranked or other important games. However, there aren’t any Big Ten games this week so we’ll focus on the only ones taking place.

With only two games to choose from this week, here is what the avid college football fan has to look forward to:

*All times are central

Saturday, August 24

6:30PM

Miami vs. #8 Florida at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL (Neutral site game)

Point Spread (per ESPN app): Florida -7.5

Rooting interest: For Iowa, it doesn’t really matter which team wins at this point. Either Florida wins and justifies their ranking or Miami wins and becomes a highly ranked team. As a fan, I look at these games as an opportunity to see how accurate (or inaccurate) the preseason polls are. With that in mind, I’m pulling for Miami.

Point spread pick: I don’t think Miami is winning this game, but I also don’t think Florida is winning by two scores. This is a rivalry game between two decent (at worst) Power 5 teams. Take Miami with the 7.5 points, but Florida to win straight up.

*Full disclosure that Florida is the team in the AP Preseason top 10 that I believe will end the season unranked.

9:30PM

Arizona at Hawaii

Point Spread (per ESPN app): Arizona -11

Rooting interest: This game probably has very little bearing on Iowa’s future, but I’d probably say that it is better if Hawaii wins. Arizona has a Heisman candidate at QB and could possibly win the PAC12 and get to the College Football Playoff.

As unlikely as that is, a perfect season for Hawaii probably wouldn’t get them considered for the Playoff. I’m pulling for Hawaii, though very apathetically.

Point spread pick: Arizona is playing a road game, in Hawaii no less, and favored by 11 points? I understand that Khalil Tate, but the guy on the other side isn’t bad either. Hawaii was an 8-win team last season, while Arizona only picked up 5.

Still, a mediocre PAC12 team should be beating an above-average Mountain West team. Take Hawaii with the 11 points, but Arizona to win straight up.

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Catch up with my picks each week and feel free to follow me on Twitter for more picks and predictions in the future.

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