Iowa Hawkeyes
(2-1 1-2 ATS)
vs.
Rutgers SCarlet Knights
(2-1 1-2 ATS)
By Jason Green
9/24/16
Iowa was shocked in their last Game losing to FCS North Dakota State. They are a 13 point road favorite in this Game, which is their Big 10 opener. The Hawkeyes fell out of the top 25 with the loss in their last Game and while Rutgers only had 4 wins last season and have not played a powerhouse in the last couple of Games they did win them both.
Rutgers had a come from behind win over New Mexico in their last Game where they covered as a 7.5-point home favorite.
Even in the SCarlet Knights win over New Mexico in their last Game they allowed nearly 300 rushing yards. That has to be good news for an Iowa team that only had a grand total of 34 yards on the ground in the loss to North Dakota State. Rutgers only ranks 85th in the nation in points against and in their 2 Games facing FBS schools in Washington and New Mexico they have given up a combined 85 points.
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Iowa rushed for over 400 yards combined in their first 2 Games before getting stuffed last week. LeShun Daniels Jr. and Akrum Wadley have each rushed for over 190 yards on the season and Iowa will look to establish the run early. QB C.J. Beathard has been decent on the season for this run-first team and he threw his first INT in the last Game.
Rutgers only ranks 94th in the nation defending the run and if they cannot contain the run in this Game their offense will have to light up the scoreboard for them to have any chance at the upset.
The SCarlet Knights’ strength on the offensive side of the ball is their rushing attack, as their aerial offense only ranks 110th in the nation in passing yards per Game. Robert Martin (252 yards 1 TD) leads a trio of 3 backs that have at least 120 yards rushing and he had a monster Game facing New Mexico rushing for 169 yards. QB Chris LAviano has 4 TD and no picks in his last 2 Games and he will have to play well and mistake free if Martin and company cannot move the chains on the ground. Iowa only ranks 91st in the nation defending the run and they gave up 239 rushing yards last week against North Dakota State.
Iowa has covered the spread in 14 of their last 17 Games on the road, but overall they are only 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 Games.
Rutgers is only 2-7 ATS in their last 9 Games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home Games.
Jason’s Pick: Iowa will come out en fuego in this one after their embarrassing loss last week and they will trample Rutgers easily winning and covering the 13.5-point spread.