[12:00 PM] Iowa @ Minnesota

Who will WIN this matchup?

Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2)

@ Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-1)

 

Current odds:

Iowa Hawkeyes: (+110)

Minnesota Golden Gophers: (-130)

 

• ESPN simulations have Iowa as XX% favorites to cover the spread.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on Minnesota to win as (XX) favorites.

• The line for this game is Iowa by 1.5 points.

• Just about everything went right for Iowa during the regular season last year and 2016 has been a different story on both sides of the ball with two losses and a narrow victory in the last three weeks. The Hawkeyes look to begin their recovery by winning the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy when they visit rival Minnesota for a Big Ten battle on Saturday afternoon.

• The Hawkeyes may not be able to replace leading receiver Matt VandeBerg (foot), but senior Riley McCarron recorded career highs with eight catches and 78 yards in last week’s loss. Iowa is struggling to protect Beathard, who was sacked six times last Saturday, and the defense is yielding 182.8 rushing yards per contest – 87th best in the nation. More emphasis may have to be made on the ground and senior LeShun Daniels Jr. (373 yards, four TDs in 2016) finished with a career-high 195 yards and three scores in last year’s 40-35 win over Minnesota.

• Leidner is completing 62.9 percent of his passes for 210 yards per game and has thrown five touchdown passes while running for another three scores. Rodney Smith rushed for at least 99 yards in three of the team’s four games and 402 overall while fellow sophomore Shannon Brooks ran for 185 combined the last two weeks. Cornerbacks KiAnte Hardin and Ray Buford, safety Dior Johnson and defensive end Tamarion Johnson will not face charges from an alleged sexual assault, and were re-instated Tuesday after being held out the last three weeks.

• Minnesota WR Drew Wolitarsky leads the team with 24 catches and 321 yards, but WR Brian Smith had seven receptions for 101 yards last week.

• Iowa LB Josey Jewell had a career-high 16 tackles last week and has reached double figures in three straight games.

• The Golden Gophers lead the all-time series 62-45-2, including 39-16-1 at home.
 
StreakSmarts Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes

Confidence: 4/10

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