Those who bet on NCAA football will get a bit of a break after last week, when there was three battles featuring a pair of top-25 teams. Iowa will head west to the Pac-10 to face Arizona, who may be a bit of a surprise to be in the top 25, and this is their chance to show they belong with the big boys of college football.Iowa vs. Arizona Betting – Saturday, September 18th, 10:30 PM ET
The No.9 Hawkeyes (2-0) rolled to a 35-7 rout of Iowa State at home, dominating the Cyclones on both sides of the ball. Ricky Stanzi was 11-of-18 for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Hawkeyes, who had as many yards on the ground as the Cyclones had overall (275). Adam Robinson averaged 11.1 yards on 14 carries to go with a score, and with that kind of balance, the Hawkeyes can go far. Defensively, they’re as tough as ever as the Hawkeyes forced three turnovers and didn’t allow points until 1:51 left in the fourth quarter. Those who keep track of NFL scores may compare Iowa to Baltimore: they’re as physically tough as anyone in the country, and their offense has the ability to get points when they’re needed.
The No.24 Wildcats (2-0) trounced Citadel 52-6 at home, and this game was essentially over by halftime, when Arizona was up 24-0. Nick Foles was 17-of-22 for 214 yards, a touchdown and a pick, but it was on the ground where the Wildcats mauled the Bulldogs. Arizona ran for 214 yards, including 107 yards on 11 carries by Nic Grigsby, who added three scores for the Wildcats. Arizona outgained Citadel 489-171, and the Wildcats also forced three turnovers, while committing one themselves.
Betting services have the Hawkeyes as a 1.5-point favorite on the road, where they have won seven of their last nine games, which is the mark of a well-coached team. The Hawkeyes have won two of their three meetings with the Wildcats, including a 27-17 victory at home last year. The Hawkeyes wore down the Wildcats by holding the ball for over 37 minutes, and while Stanzi didn’t have his best game, he managed it well, which is all Iowa needs with a defense like there. The Wildcats have played Toledo and Citadel, so it’s tough to get a read on what they’re really like. Iowa hasn’t had much to test them either, but we know what they’re all about: a veteran team who isn’t going to beat themselves. We’re not sold on the Wildcats to be able to handle the moment, which is why we’re taking Iowa to cover the spread when you’re betting online.
