Utah Utes at Iowa St Cyclones, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
Saturday, October 9, 2010, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox College Sports
Opening Line: Utah -7 1/2
Current Line: Utah -6
Opening Total: 51 1/2
Current Total: 55
Money Line: Utah -240 / Iowa St +200
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Kyle Whittingham takes his #10 ranked Utes on the road to take on Iowa St. The teams haven’t played since the 1970’s but Iowa St leads the series 4-0. Iowa St is 3-2 and is coming off a 52-38 victory over Texas Tech at home. In fact Iowa St is 3-0 at home and has won every game by at least 14 points. Utah is 4-0 and was off last week. They are 6-0 straight up after a bye under Whittingham, and have also never lost to an unranked team under him. Utah has always performed well after a bye. Since 1992, Utah is 25-12 ATS after a bye. They also do well on grass, going 98-71 ATS on grass in the same time period.
After opening the season with an overtime win against then #15 Pitt, The Utes have fattened up on cupcakes, devouring UNLV, New Mexico, and San Jose St by a combined score of 150-27. The defense has been stifling so far allowing less than 250 yards a game, and they have forced 12 sacks. The Utes only have 4 forced turnovers which is somewhat surprising as dominant as the defense has been. The offense is scoring more than 44 points a game, and gaining almost 400 yards a game. The Utes are 25/49 converting on third down and 3/3 on fourth down. Quarterback Jordan Wynn missed a couple of games with a sprained thumb but returned two weeks ago against San Jose St. He has 5 touchdown passes and one interception in the two games he has played. The running game is led by Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata who split most of the carries. Both have at least 187 yards, 40 carries and 2 touchdowns. Jereme brooks is the top receiver with 20 catches for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Iowa St dismantled Texas Tech 52-38 last week behind 251 rushing yards. The Cyclones also forced 3 turnovers. Defense could be a problem for the Cyclones as they take on the high powered Utes. ISU is giving up almost 400 yards a game, including 194 on the ground. They have forced 12 turnovers and 6 sacks. The Cyclones are allowing more than 2 sacks a game, and are also having trouble stopping teams on 3rd and 4th down, a strength of Utah. Quarterback Austen Arnaud has been inconsistent under center, throwing for 780 yards, 6 TD’s and 5 interceptions. The Cyclone rushing attack is led by Alexander Robinson who has 76 carries for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns. The cyclones average 151 yards per game on the ground. Arnaud spreads the ball around as 6 players have at least 9 catches, but Collin Franklin leads the team with 21 catches, 220 yards, and a touchdown.
This is Utah’s toughest road test of the year so far. On the other hand, Iowa St has played its arch-rival Iowa and got destroyed 35-7. Iowa St’s defense will have to tighten up if they want to compete with the Utes, but by the same token Utah hasn’t faced an offense like Iowa St either this season. If the Cyclones can run the ball like they did last week, it is possible they could pull off the upset.
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