If you aren't juiced for this game, you don't love college football.
Those were the words uttered by Iowa defensive back Jaylen Watson earlier in the week as the team prepared for a challenging game against No. 11 Indiana.
The Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) used a three-touchdown performance by quarterback Mark Gronowski and a kick return touchdown by Kaden Wetjen to win a tight 38-28 game against Rutgers last Friday.
Iowa will need a perfect performance in all three phases to win against Indiana, and we the final odds and predictions for the pivotal Big Ten matchup.
Final odds for Iowa versus No. 11 Indiana
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Iowa: +9.5
- Indiana: -9.5
Moneyline
- Iowa: +255
- Indiana: -320
Total
- Over: 47.5 (-110)
- Under 47.5 (-110)
Final predictions
Iowa holds the all-time lead over Indiana with a 46-28-4 overall record against the Hoosiers, but this isn't your dad's Indiana Hoosiers.
Under Head Coach Curt Cignetti, the program has embraced the new era of college football with the use of multiple transfers and an aggressive style of play on both sides of the football.
The Hoosiers are scoring nearly 55 points per game on offense (54.8), including averaging 279.8 passing yards per game, and 308.8 rushing yards per game.
The strength of the Iowa program lies up front on the offensive and defensive line, and the Hawkeyes will need to pressure quarterback Fernando Mendoza, forcing him into off-rhythm throws.
If the front four of the Iowa defense can pressure Mendoza, and the Hawkeyes defense can make them one dimensional, they have a good chance to come out on top.
On offense, Iowa needs to stay the course. The Hoosiers play and aggressive style of defense, and Iowa can use that to their advantage.
We saw what quarterback Mark Gronowski can do when he is forced to put it in the air, and he can hit deep shots when called upon.
The difference this week will be Gronowski's legs. If he can hit on some designed quarterback runs and get the Indiana defense off balance, it will open up the passing game.
The Iowa defense will have a problem defending the Indiana passing game, but the Iowa offense will keep them in the game. When the game is said and done, the fired up Iowa offense will guide the Hawkeyes to their first ranked win in 11 attemps.
Final score prediction: Iowa 27, Indiana 24