The No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) and Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-8, 1-7) clash Friday in Lincoln, Neb. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Iowa vs. Nebraska odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Iowa has won three consecutive games since dropping two in a row to close out October. The Hawkeyes won those three straight despite an average of just 297.7 total yards per game. They now head on the road where they are 3-1 this season and 6-1 over their last seven games.
The Cornhuskers have lost five straight games, most recently a 35-28 defeat at then-No. 20 Wisconsin Saturday. Four of those setbacks — save a nine-point loss to current No. 3 Ohio State — have been by one score. The Cornhuskers rank 20th in total yards per game (458.4) and 23rd in passing yards per game (273.0) but only 64th in points scored per game (28.5).
The Hawkeyes took last year’s meeting 26-20.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Iowa at Nebraska odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated 9:34 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Iowa -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Nebraska -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa +0.5 (-112) | Nebraska -0.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 40.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Iowa at Nebraska odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nebraska 24, Iowa 20
Money line
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost announced Monday that starting QB Adrian Martinez will miss this game due to a shoulder injury, so Freshman QB Logan Smothers will make his first career start against the Hawkeyes. Smothers’ first pass attempt Friday will mark just his 12th this season, so he is a wildcard in handicapping a near-pick ’em.
However, the UN offense is a run-first group and one perhaps capable of some play-action hits in this one. The ‘Huskers are the better offense in deflecting havoc. Mix in Iowa being a bit too far over its skis in the turnover luck department, and there is some profit margin on the Nebraska side.
UN led last year’s game 20-13 in the third quarter. Look for a revenge bounce in this slot.
BACK THE CORNHUSKERS (-108).
Against the spread
PASS: the half-point nature of the current lines essentially equalizes the money line and ATS plays.
Over/Under
The Over is 4-1 in the last five series meetings.
Both defenses are proficient in avoiding big plays, but both offenses have had a couple of efforts in the second half of the season that point to some hidden value on that side of the ball.
On an unseasonably warm Thanksgiving-Friday afternoon with a breeze that likely sets up for two downwind quarters for each side, there is some value in leveraging a low total here (with hopes the current number could even drop by kickoff).
BACK THE OVER 40.5 (-115).
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).