Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, 10/16/10, 3:30 PM EDT, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Iowa -4.5
Current Betting Line: Iowa -3
Opening Total: 54
Current Total: 54
Current Moneyline: Iowa -160 / Michigan +140
Iowa heads to Ann Arbor, Michigan to take on the Wolverines in the team’s second Big 10 Conference game of the season and trails 11-40-4 in the all-time series. The two schools have split the last six meetings with Iowa winning last year’s contest 30-28 in Iowa City. Head coach Kirk Ferentz enjoyed having a bye week to prepare for the Wolverines explosive offense and a quarterback that is tough to deal with. “he’s a very dynamic football player, very explosive football player and they present an awful lot of challenges,” Ferentz said of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. “He’s very dangerous.” The Hawkeyes defense is well-equipped to tackle any opponent, with a nation’s best 10.2 points allowed per game. Overall, the team has allowed just 37 points all season and the only unit in the country that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown. Iowa is 20-9 against the college football odds over the last three years and the total is 10-19 Over/Under in those contests.
The Hawkeyes have won 19 of their last 22 games and 21 of 25, dating back to the middle of the 2008 season. Iowa’s defense has played a huge part in the program’s success and the unit is led by the defense line. “Their front four is as good as anybody’s in the country,” Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez said. “They’re so good up front that they can get pressure with a four-man front.” Iowa ranks second in the nation in rushing yards allowed at 63.2 per game. Offensively, quarterback Ricky Stanzi is completing 67.8 percent of his passes and has 10 touchdowns, as the team is averaging 33.6 points per game. Running back Adam Robinson has been carrying the load and has topped 100 yards rushing three times.
Michigan is looking to pick up its first victory over Iowa under Rodriguez, but it may prove difficult with his 1-7 mark against the top 25 while manning the sidelines. The Wolverines are a young football team and he knows that growing pains are still popping up each week. “Our young guys are going to make mistakes, but we have to get better fundamentally,” he said after a mid-week practice. “At some point, we have to make sure we don’t forget the fundamental parts of playing football.” This week’s game is also the 110th homecoming game and the team has a 83-26 record in those games, winning 12 of its last 15. Michigan is 5-3 against Iowa in homecoming contests and the squad is looking to win its third straight over the Hawkeyes at the Big House.
The Wolverines must show improvement on defense in this contest, as the team currently sports the worst stop unit in the conference. Michigan will likely have to light up the scoreboard to stay within striking distance, ranking third nationally in total offense at 565 yards per game, trailing only Oregon and Nevada. The team also has quick-strike ability in scoring 16 touchdowns in two minutes or less. Another strong suit for the squad has been discipline, coming into this contest tied for the 11th fewest penalties, averaging just 4.5 per game. Michigan is 9-20 ATS over the last three years and the total is 16-12 Over/Under in those games.
Bettors will have an interest in playing Iowa due to their 10-2 ATS record on the road that includes a 4-0 ATS mark as a favorite away from home. Michigan is 3-15 ATS against conference opponents and 1-9 ATS in its last 10 October games. Maddux Sports has been crushing the books with their football picks this season. On Saturday their 20 unit college football game of the year goes and this should be another easy winner. Get these winners by visiting the college football sports picks page of the website.
