Cornhuskers vs Hawkeyes NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Nebraska can clinch the Legends division this weekend with a victory at Iowa. This team has been special at home but not nearly as convincing on the road.
#14 Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-2) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (4-7)
Friday November 23
Kinnick Stadium – Iowa City, IA
12:00PM
Moneyline: Nebraska -600, Iowa +450 from TOPBET.eu
Spread: Nebraska -14.5
O/U: 53
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Nebraska
They are just 2-2 away from Lincoln but at least they come into this one having won their last two road contests and last 5 in total – all in conference play. Nebraska can also claim the title with a loss by the Wolverines to Ohio State but they want to maintain some momentum heading into the Championship game.
Last week the Huskers clobbered Minnesota with a complete effort. They outgained the Gophers significantly with the only surprise being how poorly they ran the ball.
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Taylor Martinez continued his streak of strong play but like the team, he is not nearly as good away from home – naturally that is what contributes to their struggles. This week he will not have to be all that great to beat a weak Hawkeyes team.
Nebraska will win this game but I don’t like that number given that they have may look to rest players in this one and this will be Iowa’s last game either way. On the road they have been just 1-3 ATS and this is their biggest spread to cover yet. I suggest you look for value in other places this week…which is a bit of a weird one with Thanksgiving and Friday action.
Iowa
The Iowa program is really stumbling right now. Kirk Ferentz is always considered among the better coaches nationally but this team has lost 5 in row heading into the home finale – including two games where they were the favourite. The offense has been a disaster pretty much all season long but since the reputation of the program under Ferentz is so solid it has been easy for Iowa to amass a 3-8 ATS record. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
You want to blame the running game, which has shuttled in so many players and lost options over the last 12 months, but the passing game has been equally inept this season. They are ranked 100th in the nation passing the football, something a Big Ten team with a senior QB really shouldn’t be. James Vandenberg is completing passes at the same rate as last season but his yards per attempt is way down and he has only thrown 7 TD passes, making a pretty good interception rate (just 6).
If Ferentz still has the team then we should see a spirited effort from Iowa in front of their home fans. Beating Nebraska would provide a small measure of respect for the program and might even convince the administration not to look elsewhere this offseason. I think the fire could be there but it is still not a very good bet to back Iowa.
Spread Pick: Iowa +14.5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Nebraska 27 – Iowa 20
