Iowa Football: Hawkeyes now an underdog against Penn State

Bettors are banking on Penn State to get their first win of the season Saturday, as the Iowa Hawkeyes have swung from favorites to underdogs on game day.

Despite being winless this season, the Penn State Nittany Lions are now the favorite in their matchup with the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday afternoon. Bettors seem to think Penn State will squeak out their first win after major money has begun shifting lines toward the Nittany Lions.

After opening as a 2.5-point favorite at the start of the week, Iowa football is now a 1.5-point underdog as of Saturday morning, and in some cases a 2-point underdog, according to Action Network.

The Hawkeyes (2-2) are coming off two straight wins in back-to-back weeks, having outscored their opponents 84-14 during that span. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions lost to Nebraska last week after benching starting quarterback Sean Clifford. Penn State outpaced Nebraska in yards (501 to 298) and time of possession (36:24 to 23:36).

Penn State doesn’t have the talent of an 0-4 team, and it seems bettors are recognizing that. The fact that Iowa was a road favorite in the first place was questionable. The Hawks have lost six in a row to Penn State and haven’t won in State College since 2009.

Kickoff between these two teams is set for 2:30 pm CT on Big Ten Network. The game will be played at Beaver Stadium with no fans.