This contest has already made history as the lowest pregame total ever set for a college football game. Please join me as I break down the odds and offer my best prediction for Rutgers vs. Iowa on Saturday, November 11.
Rutgers vs. Iowa Betting Odds Analysis
Iowa opened as a 2-1 moneyline favorite on Saturday. By Tuesday morning, that number at FanDuel is -122 for the Hawkeyes to win this game. Obviously, the betting line was set too high, and Iowa bettors will be much happier paying $122 to win $100 rather than laying $210 to win $100.
FanDuel New Jersey opened Iowa on Saturday afternoon at -5.5 (-110), and that number shifted dramatically to -1.5 (-114). That was a silly number, and the betting public hammered it. Iowa bettors should be thrilled, while Rutgers bettors lost all the value for the spread bet.
This contest opened with a 28.5 (-110) point total now at 28.5 (-118). It’s a huge vigorish shift on the Over, but Under bettors are paying -104 at FanDuel, and that’s the best price available for what is the lowest pregame total in college football betting history.
Rutgers vs. Iowa Best Bet
This game features two of the best red zone defenses in the nation, and if you like a defensive football game, then Saturday’s Big Ten matchup between Rutgers and Iowa.
Rutgers has a stout defense, but that defense could take a hit if linebacker Tyrese Powell can’t suit up. Powell missed last week’s matchup with No. 3 Ohio State, and his status is uncertain for Saturday. The defense held Ohio State to 326 yards of offense but allowed too many long rushing plays, which was the difference in the football game.
That won’t be the case at all on Saturday. Iowa doesn’t have an explosive offense, nor do they have the type of offensive weapons Rutgers has already faced. Saturday will be an old-school knockdown drag-out fistfight, and that’s the type of game the Scarlet Knights can win.
Iowa has been on a nice little run, but their victories have come against mediocre offenses Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northwestern. The Hawkeyes are 4-1 at home against Utah State, Western Michigan, and Purdue and lost at home to Minnesota.
The Scarlet Knights can score the football, giving Rutgers an edge. It’s a pity I didn’t get the +172 on Saturday because I expect Rutgers to win this game.
Rutgers has a decent offense. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt is a dual-threat quarterback with 15 TDs this season. Running back Kyle Monangai is 97 rushing yards shy of 1000 yards, and Wimsatt has five Scarlet Knights with 100+ receiving yards.
The Iowa defense has been tremendous this season, but they can be scored on. The Hawkeyes don’t allow many passing yards per game, but they have allowed nine TDs through the air. Wimsatt doesn’t have the sexiest stats, but he’s capable. Rutgers hasn’t been shut out once this season, playing against heavyweights Ohio State and Michigan.
Finally, as good as Iowa is defensively, they won’t keep Rutgers off of the scoreboard. The Hawkeyes have been beating up on weaker competition, and the Scarlet Knights are a good football team with a stout defense with or without Powell. Take Rutgers +110 to win this game.
My Best Bet: Rutgers +110 BetRivers Sportsbook
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