Dear Old Gold
Fansided

Ilinois State vs. No. 25 Iowa final odds and predictions

Iowa is taking on Illinois State for the first time since 2015 when the Hawkeyes won that matchup 31-14.

By Ericka Brockish

Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Steven Stilianos (86) and wide receiver Diante Vines (0) celebrate with running back Leshon Williams (4) after Williams scored a touchdown during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Steven Stilianos (86) and wide receiver Diante Vines (0) celebrate with running back Leshon Williams (4) after Williams scored a touchdown during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

Kirk Ferentz is going to be absent on the Iowa sideline for the first time since 1998 when he wasn't even the head coach for the Hawkeyes yet. Ferentz and wide receiver coach Jon Budmayr are both serving self-imposed one-game suspensions against Illinois State today for recruiting violations when trying to bring in quarterback Cade McNamara from the transfer portal.

Even though the Hawkeyes will be without their head coach, they are still heavy favorites to win today's game and some fans are even questioning that the offense might look better without Ferentz calling the plays.

This is a good game for Iowa to start the season out with to get their feet wet before they take on in-state rival Iowa State in Week 2. Cade McNamara will have an easier defense to go up against as he is come off an ACL tear from last season, and tight end Luke Lachey will also make his return to the field after having season-ending foot surgery in 2023.

So let's take a look at the odds for Iowa and Illinois state for their Week 1 matchup in Iowa City.

Illinois State vs. No. 25 Iowa odds, spread, and total

Odds are available in the FanDuel Sportsbook

Moneyline

  • Illinois State +1600
  • Iowa -4500

Spread

  • Illinois State +23.5 (-110)
  • Iowa -23.5 (-110)

Total

  • 40.5 (over -110/under -110)

Illinois State vs. No. 25 Iowa prediction

This first game feels more like it is about Iowa coming out and showing true improvement on offense this season than anything else. The win will probably come as this matchup seems one-sided, but if Iowa comes out flat on offense and struggles to score against Illinois State, there are going to be a lot of questions.

Iowa needs to play to their strengths on the offense and that is using the running back group and getting Luke Lachey back into this offense. The running back group is the star of this Iowa offense right now, as they are probably the strongest players on the offense, but Lachey coming back is huge for the Hawkeyes. If there is one thing Iowa knows how to do, it is make great tight ends.

Iowa is a 40-point favorite and that is going to come from both the offense and defense. The defense has some questions surrounding just based on who will take the field, but they should still be dominant with defensive coordinator Phil Parker at the helm. The offense is the big storyline of this game and that is what everyone will be watching. Iowa will probably come away with the win, but it needs to be a convincing win.

feed

Home/Iowa Football