Vegas Big Ten Predictions
Northern Iowa at Iowa
Line: Iowa by 18
Betsided
The Iowa Hawkeyes have returning talent all overt the offensive side of the ball but are faced with questions on defense, special teams, and at wide receiver. Hawkeyes fans are hoping for a return to the Big Ten championship, and the new divisional format allows them to do that with the weakness of the Big Ten West. All they have to do is get past Wisconsin. A return to 9 or 10 wins is another possible goal, but obviously, everything we say about this team will have to be proven against Northern Iowa.
Nothern Iowa is not a great measuring stick for that, but the Panthers did beat Iowa State in the season opener last year, so the Hawkeyes had better not take them lightly. Still, this team struggled to 6-6 in FCS play, so the only way any deficiencies on Iowa are exposed is if the team takes on interest in this game.
Prediction
Iowa will never be threatened and spend the whole game running the ball down Northern Iowa’s throat. This should be a quick game as the Hawkeyes jump out early with the ground game and then stick to the ground game to get out with the win.
Iowa: 31 Northern Iowa: 7