Missouri Looks to Roll over Hapless Iowa State
The Missouri Tigers (8-2 SU, 4-5 ATS, 4-5 O/U) have won three straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook but have failed to cover the spread in each of their last two outings. The Iowa State Cyclones (2-8 SU, 4-5 ATS, 6-3 O/U) have lost eight straight games and probably want to see their 2008-09 season come to a swift end soon.
The 12th-ranked Tigers look to take another step toward wrapping up their second consecutive Big 12 North division title on Saturday when they visit struggling Iowa State, which is headed for its ninth straight losing season.
The Tigers can clinch the North with a win and a loss by the Kansas Jayhawks against fourth-ranked Texas on Saturday.
“If that happens, great,” Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. “We want to win out, that’s our goal. We control our destiny and we’re not worried about anyone else, just about getting our job done.”
The Tigers are coming off an emphatic 41-24 home win over Kansas State on Saturday but failed to cover the spread as 27.5-point home favorites.
Quarterback Chase Daniel completed 24 of 36 passes for 271 yards with two touchdowns and as the Tigers rolled up 511 yards of total offense against the Wildcats.
Daniel however, also threw two interceptions in their win over the Cyclones and has now thrown nine interceptions over his last five games after throwing just one pick in his first five contests.
“Expectations are high around here,” Daniel said. “We’ve got to fix some things. I’m hurting the team right now and that can’t happen.”
The Tigers likely won’t have any problems against a Cyclones defense that has allowed 25 touchdown passes this season and is coming off its eighth straight loss, a close 28-24 road loss to Colorado on Saturday.
Iowa State drove 60 yards to Colorado’s 1-yard line with 3 seconds remaining, but running back Alexander Robinson was stuffed for a loss as time expired.
“It was basically a fourth quarter meltdown,” Cyclones coach Gene Chizik said.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and betting Odds:
NCAAF Odds
Missouri Tigers -28 -110
Iowa State Cyclones +28 -110
Over 65 -110
Under 65 -110
Analysis: I know the Cyclones are absolutely terrible this season, but I think the 28-point spread is a bit too much for the Tigers to cover. Despite their eight straight losses, Iowa State has competed pretty well in seven of those games, getting routed only by Oklahoma State in a Nov. 11 road game. I say take the Cyclones to somehow cover the huge spread in this matchup while also keeping the total points go ‘Under’ the set O/U total for this contest.
