This is an intriguing game. The Hawkeyes remain one of only eight unbeaten teams in NCAA Football. They've won ten straight games dating back to last season. They face the Badgers who have just one loss. They suffered their first loss of the season at Ohio State. In that game, the Badgers actually outplayed the Buckeyes. Wisconsin gained 368 yards to Ohio State's 184! Somehow they still lost by 18 points. The problem was, they could only muster 13 points despite moving the ball. So Wisconsin is good, but Iowa is better! Iowa proved they are legit by going to Happy Valley and coming away with a convincing 21-10 win three weeks ago. Iowa is one of the best defensive teams in the country allowing just 15.8 points per game. And we saw what happened to Wisconsin's offense against a tough Ohio State defense last week - 13 points. QB Scott Tolzien threw two interceptions and was sacked six times. He'll be under a lot of pressure again on Saturday. The Hawkeyes also have gotten their TE Tony Moeaki back which means they will run the ball much better and that gives Stanzi an escape outlet as well. Iowa has been the best ATS team in the Big-10 for years. They don't beat themselves, and have a balanced attack and a great fundamentally-sound defense year in and year out. The Hawkeyes are 46-27 ATS in their last 63 Big-10 games and are currently 7-1 ATS in their last eight against a winning team. Meanwhile the Badgers are 1-4 ATS in their last five against a winning team and 0-8 ATS the past three seasons vs. defenses that allow 17 or fewer points per game! Under Bielema, this Badgers team is 2-11 ATS vs. teams that allow under 310 yards per game. Iowa is legit and we have the better team getting points here. I look for the Hawkeyes to at least keep it close and maybe go to 7-0.
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