Ray “The Razor” Monohan – Last Updated on January 25, 2023 4:18 pm
Week 1: Redbirds vs Hawkeyes Odds
College football betting sees the Illinois St. Redbirds taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes Saturday September 5th at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Illinois State (0-0) vs. Iowa (0-0)
Week 1
Date: Saturday, September 5
Time: 12 PM
Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
NCAA Football Spread: OFF
NCAA Betting Total: OFF
NCAA Moneyline Odds: OFF
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Iowa was rolling last season before they lost 4 of their last 5 games on the season and then lost to Tennessee in their bowl game.
They open up the 2015 season facing FCS side Illinois State, but the Hawkeyes cannot take the Redbirds for granted.
Illinois State was 13-2 last season and they lost in the FCS title game. Last season the Hawkeyes got a scare in their season opener only beating FCS side Northern Iowa by 8 points.
Last season C.J. Beathard was the part time starter at QB for Iowa and he looks to revitalize a Cyclones’ offense that only ranked 71st in the nation in scoring.
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The Iowa defense will have their hands full in this game facing Illinois State QB Tre Roberson, who passed for 3,221 yards passing yards and 1,029 rushing yards and RB Marshaun Coprich, who led the FCS in rushing yards last season.
Iowa
Beathard passed for 645 yards with 5 TD and 2 INT last season and the team returns Tevaun Smith, who was the leading receiver last season, but did not have a big season with 596 yards and 3 TD.
He did have 8 plays of 30 yards or more and he will be THE big play guy for the Iowa on the outside.
Can Beathard get any help in the backfield? No Iowa player has rushed for over 1,000 yards since the 2011 season and LeShun Daniels Jr. will have a chance to snap that streak.
He was a competition with 4 other RB’s and he will be counted on to run the ball well. That will be key in this game not only for offense, but to keep the potent offense of the Redbirds on the sidelines.
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Iowa has never lost to a FCS opponent (12-0).
The Cyclones are 13-3 in their last 16 home openers since Kirk Ferentz became the head coach.
Southern Illinois
Iowa will face a solid Illinois offensive attack, but they are strong on defense and last season they ranked 7th in the nation defending the pass.
The one big concern for Iowa is their run defense, which gave up big plays last season and only ranked 64th in the nation.
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NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
* Hawkeyes are 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
* Hawkeyes are 3-1 ATS in their last 4 home games.
* Hawkeyes have an Over record of 3-1-1 in their last 5 games.
* Hawkeyes have an Over record of 3-0-1 in their last 5 home games.
Week 1 NCAA Football Prediction
Southern Illinois is dangerous, but Iowa will not lose their perfect record facing FCS teams.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Iowa by 2 TD’s
Iowa learned their lesson playing a close game in the season opener against FCS Northern Iowa last season and they will not take the Redbirds lightly.
Week 1 Score Prediction: Iowa 35 – Illinois State 21
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