The Iowa Hawkeyes are up to #6 in the nation following a 3-0 start, and they’ve got a great chance of staying unbeaten when the Colorado State Rams visit Kinnick Stadium. Last week, the Rams picked up a huge road win, beating Toledo 22-6 as +14.5 underdogs. Can CSU make it two in a row as +23.5 underdogs on Saturday afternoon? Take a look to this Rams at Hawkeyes betting preview.
Rams Had a Nice Bounce Back
Colorado State started off the season 0-2, even though they were favored in each of the first two games, and they were both held in Ft. Collins. Of course, the Rams went on the road for the first time last week as over two TD underdogs and came home with the 15-point win.
The Rams picked up the win last week, but they still have some questions surrounding their offense after kicking five field goals vs. the Rockets.
Colorado State did run for 200+ yards for the second straight game, but QB Todd Centello continues to struggle. The Senior threw for 304 yards in the season-opening loss to South Dakota State but has completed just 31 of 65 passes the last two weeks.
The CSU defense did hold Toledo to 21 yards rushing on 28 carries but gave up 242 yards on the ground to SDSU in week 1. This season, Iowa’s Tyler Goodson has rushed for 307 yards and 5 TDs, so running the ball will be the Hawkeyes’ game plan on Saturday.
Hawkeyes on the Rise
Iowa was able to avoid the proverbial ‘letdown’ game, beating Kent State 30-7 last week while also covering the -22 point spread. The Hawks had beaten in-state rival Iowa State the week prior, getting a 27-17 win in Ames as +4 point underdogs.
There were some that thought this was the year for the Cyclones to win the rivalry game, but the Hawkeyes flexed their muscles in beating then #9 Iowa State.
The Hawks’ held ISU’s Heisman candidate Breece Hall to just 69 yards on 16 carries and forced Senior QB Brock Purdy into a 13 of 27 passing days and ultimately getting benched.
The Hawkeyes beat a ranked team with a potent offense in their season opener as well, toppling then #17 Indiana 34-6. Iowa picked off Hoosiers QB Michael Penix, Jr. three times, with Riley Moss taking two of them back for scores.
Iowa State at Baylor Pick
The -23.5 spread seems high, but then again, not really when you consider Colorado State might be lucky to score more than 7 points. This season, the Hawkeyes are giving up just 10.0 ppg this season and have held opponents under 25 points for 24 straight games.
Colorado State’s Todd Centello is struggling with accuracy completing less than 50% of his passes over the past two weeks. That being said, the Rams defense did hold Toledo to just 6 points last week after the Rockets had lost 32-29 at Notre Dame the game prior.
Iowa gets back into Big Ten play next week for the remainder of the 2021 regular season, and they could be looking ahead to that visit to currently undefeated Maryland.
Colorado State +23.5
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