Halloween at Kinnick brings a blackout crowd, drizzle and gusts to 15 mph. This one sets up as a low-scoring grind, and the market makes Iowa a slight favorite at home. I'll take No. 25 Wisconsin to win it outright at plus money. Iowa's offense was already thin, and this week it lost its best runner. Outside the 41-24 win at Washington, the Hawkeyes have scored 10, 14 and 20 in Big Ten play, running 70 times for 225 yards in those three games. Kamari Moulton is done for the season, and Moulton supplied the long runs: 56 at Washington, plus 50 and 37 against Northern Illinois. Xavier Williams takes over after 10 carries for 25 yards over the last three games. Quarterback is uncertain too. Kirk Ferentz plans to start Hank Brown but will 'play it by ear,' and Brown's last outing was 11-of-21 with 2 interceptions off the bench at Minnesota. The turnover gap is the heart of this bet. Wisconsin has zero giveaways in its last three games. Iowa has six in that span, four of them at Minnesota. The Badgers' defense has four interceptions over its last two games and has allowed 3, 17 and 7 points in its last three. USC scored at least 25 in every other game on its schedule, and Wisconsin held the Trojans to 7 points and -18 rushing yards, with 5 sacks. Wisconsin's style fits the weather. The Badgers have run for 153, 160 and 228 yards in their last three games, while Iowa gave up 189 on the ground to Ohio State and 155 to Michigan. Colton Joseph's legs are a real weapon, with 141 rushing yards against Michigan State. The risks are real. Wisconsin's passing game has barely shown up, with 58 yards against USC. The offensive line is missing RG Barrett Nelson, with center unsettled. Gavin Lahm is 1-of-3 on field goals over the last two games, and in a game this tight one missed kick can decide the winner. Still, in a game likely decided by a turnover or a kick, I want the team that protects the ball and brings the hotter defense, and I'll happily take plus money on it. Wisconsin to win.
Halloween at Kinnick brings a blackout crowd, drizzle and gusts to 15 mph. This one sets up as a low-scoring grind, and the market makes Iowa a slight favorite at home. I'll take No. 25 Wisconsin to win it outright at plus money.
Iowa's offense was already thin, and this week it lost its best runner. Outside the 41-24 win at Washington, the Hawkeyes have scored 10, 14 and 20 in Big Ten play, running 70 times for 225 yards in those three games. Kamari Moulton is done for the season, and Moulton supplied the long runs: 56 at Washington, plus 50 and 37 against Northern Illinois. Xavier Williams takes over after 10 carries for 25 yards over the last three games. Quarterback is uncertain too. Kirk Ferentz plans to start Hank Brown but will 'play it by ear,' and Brown's last outing was 11-of-21 with 2 interceptions off the bench at Minnesota.
The turnover gap is the heart of this bet. Wisconsin has zero giveaways in its last three games. Iowa has six in that span, four of them at Minnesota. The Badgers' defense has four interceptions over its last two games and has allowed 3, 17 and 7 points in its last three. USC scored at least 25 in every other game on its schedule, and Wisconsin held the Trojans to 7 points and -18 rushing yards, with 5 sacks.
Wisconsin's style fits the weather. The Badgers have run for 153, 160 and 228 yards in their last three games, while Iowa gave up 189 on the ground to Ohio State and 155 to Michigan. Colton Joseph's legs are a real weapon, with 141 rushing yards against Michigan State.
The risks are real. Wisconsin's passing game has barely shown up, with 58 yards against USC. The offensive line is missing RG Barrett Nelson, with center unsettled. Gavin Lahm is 1-of-3 on field goals over the last two games, and in a game this tight one missed kick can decide the winner.
Still, in a game likely decided by a turnover or a kick, I want the team that protects the ball and brings the hotter defense, and I'll happily take plus money on it. Wisconsin to win.
Wisconsin Moneyline