The University of Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0) play the University of North Texas Mean Green (0-2) looking to extend their three-game winning streak. Players will take the field Saturday, Sep 26 at 10:30 a.m. ET and the game will air on the ESPU.
Iowa barely got past Pittsburgh 27-24 last week. C.J. Beathard had a solid game throwing the ball in the win, completing 27 of 40 passes for 258 yards and one interception. North Texas didn’t have the same success as Iowa, getting beat by Rice 38-24 in its matchup. Carlos Harris had a big game for the Mean Green, totaling eight receptions for 193 yards and two TDs. Andrew McNulty also had a big day, contributing 303 yards and two TDs through the air.
The Hawkeyes are a substantial 26-point favorite and the Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is presently uavailable.
The Hawkeyes enter the game with records of 3-0 Straight Up (SU) and 2-1 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. The Hawkeyes may look to take advantage of a North Texas’s pass defense, which allows a completion percentage of 73.0% to its opponents. Transitioning to the Iowa defense, there are a few things to keep in mind when it is on the field. Expect the fifth-ranked Hawkeyes run defense to cause headaches for the Mean Green run game. The Hawkeyes give up 51 rushing yards per game. A pivotal part of the game will be if the Mean Green can protect their quarterback from Iowa’s hungry defense. It averages the eighth-most sacks in the nation with 3.7 per game. If the game is close, the Hawkeyes may have an edge. North Texas usually finishes games poorly, giving up 10.5 points per game in the fourth quarter. Based on an average time of possession of 33:50 per game that ranks 16th in the nation, look for Iowa to control the clock.
On the other side, the Mean Green are clearly doing something wrong with a 0-2 record SU and ATS so far this season. The Hawkeyes need to secure the ball against the fumble-minded Mean Green. They’re fourth in the country in fumbles recovered with 1.5 per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Iowa, ATS Winner – Iowa
Notes
Iowa is 8-15-1 ATS in its last 24 games at home.
Iowa is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iowa’s last 6 games at home.
North Texas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road.
Iowa is 2-0 SU when leading at the half this season.
Based on overall FBS ratings, Iowa holds the upper hand in the passing game. Its passing attack (ranked 68th in the nation) will face the 106th-ranked pass defense of North Texas, while its 72nd-ranked pass defense will look to limit the 79th-ranked passing game of the Mean Green.
