PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Big Ten Game of the Year
(NCAAF) Minnesota vs. Iowa,
Point Spread: 4.00 | -111.00 Minnesota (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 4.00 | -111.00 Minnesota (Away)
Result: Win
This is the lowest football total of the season. So taking more than a field goal where points are going to be at an absolute premium certainly makes sense.
But that's not just why I like Minnesota so much.
Iowa is the most bogus Top-25 team in the nation. The Hawkeyes somehow are 6-1 despite being outgained by an average of 50 yards per game! The Hawkeyes have only outgained one of their opponents and that was 2-5 Western Michigan, a bad MAC team.
Yes, Iowa has a great defense as it usually has. But the Hawkeyes have no offense. They've lost their starting QB, Cade McNamara, and now tight end Erick All, one of their best players, also is done for the season.
Minnesota doesn't have a QB edge too often, but they do here with strong-armed Athan Kaliakmanis against Deacon Hill, who might be the worst starting QB in the country. Hill was 6-for-14 for 37 yards against Wisconsin last week. His average attempted pass was for just 2.2 yards. The Hawkeyes still managed to beat the Badgers, whose quarterback Tanner Mordecai, was injured in the game.
Minnesota is well rested having had a bye last week. The 3-3 Gophers are a mediocre Big Ten team. They can't step up against the conference's Big Three of Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. But they are capable of beating any other Big Ten team, including the much-overrated Hawkeyes.
But that's not just why I like Minnesota so much.
Iowa is the most bogus Top-25 team in the nation. The Hawkeyes somehow are 6-1 despite being outgained by an average of 50 yards per game! The Hawkeyes have only outgained one of their opponents and that was 2-5 Western Michigan, a bad MAC team.
Yes, Iowa has a great defense as it usually has. But the Hawkeyes have no offense. They've lost their starting QB, Cade McNamara, and now tight end Erick All, one of their best players, also is done for the season.
Minnesota doesn't have a QB edge too often, but they do here with strong-armed Athan Kaliakmanis against Deacon Hill, who might be the worst starting QB in the country. Hill was 6-for-14 for 37 yards against Wisconsin last week. His average attempted pass was for just 2.2 yards. The Hawkeyes still managed to beat the Badgers, whose quarterback Tanner Mordecai, was injured in the game.
Minnesota is well rested having had a bye last week. The 3-3 Gophers are a mediocre Big Ten team. They can't step up against the conference's Big Three of Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. But they are capable of beating any other Big Ten team, including the much-overrated Hawkeyes.
