Iowa vs Iowa State Odds, Lines and Best Bet

• Iowa State (1-0) hosts Iowa (1-0) on Saturday at 4:30pm ET on ABC
• The two teams battle each year for the Cy-Hawk Trophy with Iowa having won the last five matchups
• See the odds, predictions and best bet to make in the rivalry game below

College football fans are in for a treat this weekend at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.

The Iowa State Cyclones host the Iowa Hawkeyes with the Cy-Hawk Trophy on the line. What makes this game so special? For the first time in the rivalry’s 67 game history, both teams are ranked. Not only are they ranked, both are top-10 programs.

Iowa vs Iowa State Odds

Odds as of Sept 9th at FanDuel

The Cyclones are 4.5 points favorites and the implications stretch far beyond the trophy on the line in this one. Here’s a deep dive into both programs to help shine a spotlight on the best value bet on the board.

Iowa Aiming To Extend Win Streak vs Ranked Opponents

Most college programs ease their way into the new season with at least one easy game and often times two of them. The Hawkeyes instead faced ranked Indiana in Week 1 ahead of this top-10 matchup with the Cyclones.

Iowa defeated the Hoosiers 34-6 thanks in large part to a suffocating defense. Cornerback Riley Moss led the way with two interceptions for touchdowns and the defense as a whole allowed only 233 yards, only 31 of which came on the ground.

What plays come to mind when you think about the last five meetings in the Cy-Hawk Series? #Hawkeyes | #TBT pic.twitter.com/yEhEME9Hce

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 9, 2021

The defensive performance by Iowa wasn’t really a surprise. Dating back to the beginning of the 2020 campaign, they rank third in the country allowing only 2.8 yards per carry. The stout performance extended the Hawkeyes’ streak to 23 straight games holding opponents to less than 25 points.

As for the offensive side of the ball, there are two players in particular worthy of your attention. Quarterback Spencer Petras had a rough opener, completing only 13-of-27 passes but is expected to have a strong junior season. Running back Tyler Goodson finished one yard shy of 100 for the game and found the end zone once against Indiana.

Matt Campbell Looking For First Win Against Iowa

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is one of the hottest names in all of college football. His transformation of Iowa State from middle-tier program to national contender has been extraordinary.

Campbell owns a .556 winning percentage with the Cyclones but has one glaring hole in that resume — he’s never beat the rival Hawkeyes. Campbell is winless in four games and his best chance to win one last year was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Onto the next.

🌪🚨🌪 pic.twitter.com/Ro5pYXQAgV

— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB) September 7, 2021

Campbell’s chances of notching a win will improve greatly with a big game from running back Breece Hall. He’s coming off a season in which he notched 1,572 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He was pedestrian with only 69 yards in Iowa State’s season opening win over Northern Iowa, but that shouldn’t be of much concern moving forward.

Hall had four catches in the season opener, which could have been a sign of things to come. Facing Iowa’s great run defense, the Cyclones may need to use Hall more in the passing game to get him involved.

Iowa Plus Points is The Best Bet

Iowa has won 12 straight non-conference games and four straight against ranked opponents.

They’ve also won five straight battles for the Cy-Hawk Trophy. Despite an Iowa State program clearly on the rise, it’s tough to fade all of those streaks, especially when 4.5 points are being offered. Trust the Hawkeyes to keep it close and if you’re feeling particularly frisky consider taking them on the moneyline.

The Pick: Iowa +4.5 (-115)