Free Pick: Iowa (6-1) at Wisconsin (4-3) 10/30/21

This game features two teams that still have a chance at winning the West Division of the Big10 Conference. The Hawkeyes were ranked as high as second in some polls a couple of weeks ago, before losing 24-7 at home against Purdue. They are coming off a bye week and ahead into Madison to play the Badgers have won three straight after a 1-3 start. They beat that same Purdue team 30-13 last week on the road. Let’s look at the betting angles.

TOTAL TEAM POINTS:

Iowa Total Team Points: 16.5 It is hard to believe in today’s college football, with so many prolific offenses, that Vegas would have 16.5 as the line for a team to score. But, I’m not sure Iowa will go over that toral. They are averaging 310 total yards per game and score points with defense. They don’t have many playmakers on offense and they need some against a Wisconsin defense that is one of the best in the nation. The Badgers are limiting opponents to 223 yards per game and have been especially stingy against the run giving up an unbelievable 53 yards per game rushing. However, the Hawkeyes have managed to score at least 23 points in every game except Purdue. On the flip side, Wisconsin has allowed less than 17 points in 5 of their 7 games. Because, the total is so low, I would take Iowa to go over.

Wisconsin Total Team Points: 20.5 I think this total might actually be a little high. Wisconsin has topped the 21 point total three times, (34 against Eastern Michigan, 24 at Illinois, and 30 last week at Purdue). This figures to be a conservative game offensively with both teams trying to play field position and not turning the ball over. Iowa is allowing 15 points per game and have held people below 21 points in every game except the Purdue game. If I was using this betting angle, I would take Wisconsin to go under 20.5.

OVER/UNDER TOTAL TEAM POINTS: 37 Once again, I think Vegas is right on the nose with this one. I’m thinking the score might be 20-14,17-13, 17-16, or something similar to that. However, 37 points is not very many for both teams combined score to end up. The combined scores for all of the Iowa games have been 37 or less only twice. On the Wisconsin side of things, it has happened only twice also. Scores of 21-17, 21-20, 24-21, beats the line. If I was betting I would say take the over.

POINT SPREAD: Wisconsin -3 Again, this line respects the home field advantage Wisconsin has. If the game was in Iowa, it would be the other way around. I could see this being a 1 or 2 point game either way. However, if you like Wisconsin, I would go ahead and take them.

AARON’S PICK: Wisconsin -3

PAPA DUDES PICK: Iowa Over 16.5 Total Team Points