Michigan Wolverines vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

The Michigan Wolverines and Iowa Hawkeyes meet in a Big Ten conference game Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on FOX.

Updated on 11/23/2024

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MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING PREDICTION

The Wolverines of Michigan play their first road game of the season after opening with four straight in the Big House. While fans of the Maize and Blue want to crown them champs after a huge September, wins over Colorado State, Hawaii, Connecticut and Maryland isn't exactly a who's who of college football. Even a win over an Iowa team which has struggled on offense won't be a huge feat, but it will be impressive hitting the road for a hostile environment, grabbing a win if the Wolverines can.

Iowa started off pretty terrible on offense, and that might be an understatement. In a 7-3 win on Sept. 3 against South Dakota State, the Hawkeyes had just a field goal and two safeties, and followed that up with a 10-7 loss at home against rival Iowa State. Hey, at least it had a touchdown that day. The past two games, the defense has continued to lock it down, but the offense is slowly starting to find a rhythm. Iowa has averaged 27.0 PPG in the past two games, while yielding just 23 total points overall on the season. Those defensive prowess will certainly be tested early and often against a high-octane Michigan offense.

The Wolverines have named QB J.J. McCarthy as the starting signal caller, so QB Cade McNamara is out of a job. McNamara led the team to a Big Ten title last season, its first, while McCarthy has been dominant against inferior foes. We'll see how McCarthy does on the road in a hostile environment in front of a raucous crowd.

Score Prediction: Iowa 23, Michigan 19
Best Bet: Iowa +11 (-108)
Best Bet: UNDER 42.5 (-110)

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds | CFP Central

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022
Matchup: Big Ten
Venue: Kinnick Stadium
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Time-TV: FOX, 12:00 p.m. ET
Expert Picks

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ANALYSIS

I am not sold on Michigan being a dominant side. Yes, it has four wins, all at home, and it was not tested in the first three non-conference games. Maryland gave Michigan all it could handle last week in a 34-27 Wolverines win, a non-cover as 17-point favorites as the UNDER hit. The defense was dinged for a season-high 27 points after allowing 17 total points in the first three games. That's what happens when you play an actual FBS team, and not three cupcakes.

Michigan has been very impressive against the number over the past two seasons, going 13-5 ATS in the past 18 games overall, while cashing at a 5-1 ATS clip in the previous six road outings. The Wolverines are also 5-1 ATS in the past six inside the conference, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five on the road against teams with a winning home record.

For totals, the UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games overall, but the OVER is 25-10 in the past 35 on the road, and 31-14-1 in the past 46 against teams with a winning overall mark. The OVER is also 25-9 in the past 34 following a non-cover for Michigan.

IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING ANALYSIS

The Hawkeyes have been better lately, looking like a functional offense after two dismal performances to open the campaign. The offense is still putting up just 233.0 total yards per game to rank 131st in the country, and can ill-afford to let Michigan get an early lead, forcing Iowa to have to pick up the tempo to keep pace. It won't be able to do so, and could get blown out if it does that way to start.

Iowa's defense is sick, allowing just 5.8 PPG to rank No. 1 in the country, while allowing just 236.3 total yards per game and a mere 73.0 rushing yards per outing. However, facing Michigan and RB Blake Corum will be a giant test for the Hawkeyes, as the Wolverines are a much bigger and stronger team than the likes of South Dakota State, Iowa State, Nevada and/or Rutgers.

Iowa has failed to cover in four of the past five games at home, and the Hawkeyes are sad to see the calendar flip from September to October. Iowa is just 3-7-1 ATS in the past 11 games in the month of October.

As far as totals are concerned, the UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games overall for Iowa, while cashing at a 15-6-1 clip in the past 22 games at home. The UNDER is also 8-2 in the pat 10 in October, although the OVER has hit in the previous five Big Ten matchups.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING TRENDS

• Michigan is 13-5 ATS in the past 18 game overall
• Michigan is 5-1 ATS in the past six road games
• Michigan is 5-1 ATS in the past six Big Ten games
• Iowa is 1-4 ATS in the past five home games
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games for Michigan
• OVER is 25-10 in the past 35 road games for Michigan
• OVER is 31-14-1 in the past 46 vs. winning teams for Michigan
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games for Iowa
• UNDER is 15-6-1 in the past 22 home games for Iowa
• OVER is 5-0 in the past five Big Ten games for Iowa
• Michigan is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish