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Iowa vs. Penn State odds had Penn State as the -9 ½ home favorite and getting about even action as Iowa at Sportsbook.com.
The Big Ten kicks off its conference slate this week with a full set of matchups. The highlight contest is in State College, Pennsylvania, and the ESPN Game Day Crew and ABC will be on hand for the battle of unbeatens, Iowa and Penn State. Kickoff time is set for 8:00 PM ET, and Penn State is a near double-digit favorite at Sportsbook.com. Several interesting trends suggest the game might be much closer though.
Iowa has drawn very few patsies in Big Ten openers since the new millennium began and this will be no different. The Hawkeyes have been 4-0 twice in the previous six years and a third time would bring significant attention to Kirk Ferentz's football program, beating highly ranked Penn State. Iowa football is about the basics, blocking and tackling and the offensive line has started to come together. A pair of freshmen running backs (Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson) has folks in Iowa City excited. If QB Ricky Stanzi continues to read defenses proficiently and the Iowa defense holds up its end of the deal, they'll have a chance here. Iowa is ranked 14th in points surrendered at 12 per game. The Hawkeyes are 8-3 ATS as road underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points.
At this juncture, it's not easy to gauge just how good Penn State is or isn't. Most top level teams would plow through Akron, Syracuse and Temple at home, just like the Nittany Lions have. However, they have yet to cover a pointspread. The Penn State players' hearts should be racing, as Iowa handed them their only regular season loss a year ago, 24-23 as seven-point road favorites. Joe Pa's club is 8-3 ATS when favored by 17 or fewer points at home in the last four years. So far their defense has held three crummy opponents to 6.7 PPG, however, Iowa's not exactly an offense juggernaut ranked 68th in total offense.
The Hawkeyes are 4-14 ATS versus excellent rushing defenses allowing 2.75 or less rushing yards per carry. Iowa however has held the upper hand with a 7-3 and 8-2 ATS mark over PSU in the last 15 years. The underdog has bitten as much as it could chew with an 8-2 ATS record, including five outright upsets. And get this, Penn State is bizarro-world 0-14 ATS vs. defensive teams who give up 12 or less points a game.
Get all the key info for this battle of Big Ten titans on Sportsbook.com's GAME MATCHUP and receive a 10 Percent CASH SIGNUP BONUS upon joining Sportsbook.com here - VISA AND MASTERCARD ACCEPTED.
Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
