The Horned Frogs of TCU (-11) are set to welcome the Iowa State Cyclones to Amon G. Carter Stadium. This conference matchup kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET and interested parties can tune in to the action on ESPNU.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. TCU Horned Frogs Betting Preview
Iowa State is getting picked as the underdog and is currently getting 11 points in this Big 12 game. The Cyclones are also receiving +315 moneyline odds while the Horned Frogs are -425. If one team can find paydirt early, it’ll probably result in a nice betting scenario in-game.
The Cyclones are 1-2 against the spread (ATS) and are down 1.0 unit so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U record of 1-2. The Horned Frogs have lost 2.4 units this season. The team is 1-2-1 ATS and also has an O/U record of 1-2.
The Cyclones are 1-2 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against conference opponents. The Horned Frogs are 2-2 SU overall and are also 0-1 SU in conference play.
These two teams met last year with the final outcome being a 14-7 win for Iowa State.
The Cyclones are looking to maintain momentum after a solid 26-13 victory over Akron last week where Zeb Noland completed 26 passes on 34 attempts for 233 yards and one touchdown. David Montgomery (107 rushing yards on 23 attempts, one TD) led the ground attack while Hakeem Butler (six receptions, 88 yards, one TD) and Deshaunte Jones (six catches, 39 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
One week ago, Texas knocked off this TCU team by a score of 31-16. The Horned Frogs defensive unit allowed the Longhorns to eat up the clock by rushing for 112 yards on 45 attempts, including two rush TDs. Collin Johnson had a solid showing, recording 124 yards on seven catches for Texas. As a group, the Horned Frogs collectively completed 20-of-40 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Shawn Robinson went 17-for-29 for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Michael Collins was three-of-nine for 34 yards. Sewo Olonilua (55 rushing yards on 12 attempts) and the signal-caller Robinson (57 yards on nine carries) led the running game while Jalen Reagor (eight receptions, 96 yards, one TD) and KaVontae Turpin (three catches, 68 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Iowa State has run the ball on 46.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while TCU has an overall rush percentage of 51.7 percent. The Cyclones have rushed for 79 yards/game and have two touchdowns on the ground this year. The Horned Frogs are logging 205 rushing yards per game and have eight total rush TDs.
If 2018 results are any indication, then it seems like the Horned Frogs could hold an edge when it comes to RB efficiency, since their running backs has logged 5.4 yards per carry while their defense has allowed 3.3 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Cyclones have tallied 2.7 yards per carry while allowing 3.5 YPC to opponents.
The Cyclones offensive scheme has averaged 254 yards through the air overall and has three passing TDs so far. The Horned Frogs have put up 239 pass yards per outing and have seven total pass scores.
Defensively, Iowa State has let opponents run for an average of 122 yards and throw for 222 yards per game. The TCU D has allowed 202.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 127.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Horned Frogs are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.54 to opponents, while the Cyclones have allowed a 7.43 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Noland is up to 276 yards this year, and has completed 30-of-44 attempts with one passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. Noland has a 6.26 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.22 over the last two outings.
Hakeem Butler (123 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown on the year), David Montgomery (151 rush yards, one rush TD) and Deshaunte Jones (70 receiving yards) have all played significant roles recently.
Shawn Robinson has completed 50-of-82 passes for 533 yards, five TDs and three INTs for TCU. His ANY/A stands at 6.07 for the year and 4.75 over his last two outings.
We’re expecting the Horned Frogs to control tempo by feeding the ball-carriers early and often. In addition to Jalen Reagor (194 receiving yards, two receiving TDs this season), Darius Anderson (120 rush yards) and Sewo Olonilua (157 rush yards) have delivered significant production to the Horned Frogs’ recent offensive strategies.
Free Pick: Iowa State Cyclones vs. TCU Horned Frogs
SU Winner – TCU, ATS Winner – TCU
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The TCU defensive unit has produced more than twice the sack total of Iowa State this year (11 to five).
Both teams have lost three fumbles this season.
The Cyclones offense has produced two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Horned Frogs have put up five such plays.
The Iowa State defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while TCU has given up five such plays.
The Iowa State offense has created one rushing play of 20 or more yards, while TCU has created three such run.
The Cyclones defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Horned Frogs have given up one such run.
TCU was the underdog by 3 points in its last match and the Over/Under going into it was 50. The under cashed and TCU failed to cover in the team’s 31-16 defeat to Texas.
In its last three matches, TCU is 1-1-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
In its last three matchups, Iowa State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Iowa State was favored by 20 points in its last game and the Over/Under was 47.5. The under cashed and Iowa State did not cover in the 26-13 win over Akron.
As a team, Iowa State has averaged 3.4 yards per carry over its last two games.
TCU has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over its last two.
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