Iowa Football: A bettors guide to Hawks vs Wolverines
By Zack Cohen
This Saturday the Iowa football team and Michigan square off in what could be a pivotal moment the Hawkeyes 2019 season. Here’s how to bet on this game.
The biggest game so far this season for the Iowa football team kicks off in less than 24 hours against Michigan. And as of today, the Hawks are getting 3.5 points on the road while the over/under sits at 47.5 points.
It is not often that a season can be decided based on one game, but one could make a case that this game is just that for the Iowa football team and Michigan. These two teams have such a monumental amount riding on one game. Michigan’s CFB playoff hopes hang in the balance, and a potentially historic Iowa football season will be decided in Ann Arbor.
As mentioned, both of these teams have a great deal to play for, and there will not be an absence of heart and effort on the grass of the Big House after this game. Both these teams are parodies of themselves from years past. Michigan’s run defense, once its’ biggest strength, has become its biggest weakness while the Iowa Hawkeyes have found a surge in their passing game.
I think that the Iowa football team has a pretty simple recipe to win this game. If Iowa can run the ball, and create turnovers, then Iowa could run away (pun intended) with this one. Michigan has a (-4) turnover margin, which is uncharacteristic of former Michigan teams. Being able to control the clock and create turnovers will result in the demise of this Michigan team, and potentially Jim Harbaugh’s career.
I just think that this is Iowa’s Superbowl, and this team is on a mission this year. They want to prove that they deserve a seat at the elite table of the Big Ten. Michigan’s defense will not be able to stop the three-headed monster of Mekhi Sargent, Toren Young, and breakout freshman Tyler Goodson.
Pick: Iowa +3.5. I, realistically, think that this is too many points to give this well balanced Iowa Hawkeyes team, even on the road. Michigan and Harbaugh have played terrible in big-time games against AP Top 25 opponents in recent years, and this team doesn’t have the swag and confidence of former Wolverine teams. Iowa does enough to win and cover the spread. Final Score: Iowa 27- Michigan 24.
Below are the rest of the Dear Old Gold’s staff picks for the last regular-season non-conference matchup on the Iowa football team’s schedule:
Kevin Hanson: Iowa +3.5
Final Score: Iowa 32 – Michigan 27
This game will probably determine the fate of both these teams. Iowa needs both of its lines to play balls to the wall for Iowa to come up with a win. Michigan’s stable of receivers all have juice, but I think Iowa outlasts Michigan in this dog fight. The Iowa football team allows a field goal late make the game interesting but Oliver Martin gets his sweet revenge with 80+ yards receiving and a touchdown.
Matt Opad: Iowa +3.5
Final Score: Iowa 30 – Michigan 13
I predicted that Michigan wins this game by 10 in the preseason, but I am a lot less confident about that now. Michigan’s offense has been built on the running game, which they don’t do well this year. The defense is built on their front seven, which isn’t that good this year.
Cameron Huggins: Iowa +3.5
Final Score: Iowa 24 – Michigan 27
Tight game throughout and this game comes down to a late field goal. Unfortunately, the home team pulls through and wins.
Ryan Sikes: Michigan -3.5
Unfortunately, I think Harbaugh gets his first win over Iowa. Michigan’s offense came alive last week and Iowa hasn’t faced a team like them yet. Stanley has a pedestrian day and Iowa falls.
Final Score: Iowa 16 – Michigan 24
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Justin Stallman: Iowa +3.5
Keith Duncan with another game-winning FG in the last seconds.
Final Score: Iowa 24 – Michigan 21
Andrew Wade: Iowa +3.5
Until Iowa loses, I am literally picking them to win every single game. This is Nate Stanley’s breakout moment with the Iowa football team and the Hawks win decisively.
Final Score: Iowa 28 – Michigan 14