No. 20(BCS) Iowa, who fell out of the BIG TEN Conference championship battle with their loss to Northwestern last week, has an opportunity to make life miserable for No. 9 Ohio State when the Buckeyes come visiting on Iowa's home turf this afternoon (3:30 pm ET, ABC). Most offshore sportsbooks have Ohio State lined as 3-point favorites for this game with a posted total (over/under) of 48.
The Hawkeyes were caught looking ahead to this weeks game, losing 21-17 to Northwestern last week as 10-point road favorites. For Iowa to be in line for a quality bowl, getting a win today is crucial.
After getting off to a slow start in their game with Penn State last week, the Buckeyes took care of business by beating an inspired Penn State Nittany Lions squad 38-14 at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State covered ATS as a 20-chalk home favorite, and the 52 combined points scored went OVER the posted 49 total. The Buckeyes have been dependable for backers at the betting window by covering ATS in eight of 10 games while the OVER has cashed on the total also eight of 10 times.
Shop and compare the BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL LINES for Saturday's games at Point-Spreads.com.
Iowa has struggled of late failing to cover the point-spread in three of their last four games; however, the combined point total has fallen UNDER the posted number in Iowa's last three games. Overall, the UNDER has cashed in six of nine games Iowa's played.
Today's game has the potential to be a low scoring affair as both Iowa and Ohio State are among the best in the nation defensively. The Buckeyes are ranked second in total defense by the NCAA among FBS schools, giving up only 223 yards average per game. Iowa is 16th in total defense, yielding a per game average of 307 yards. In scoring defense rankings, the Buckeyes are fifth nationally only yielding 13.22 points per game while Iowa is seventh giving up 15 points average per game.
Reno Gold's pick: I look for the total combined score to fall UNDER the 49 points posted by sportsbooks.
When it comes to College Football Picks there is only one sports handicapper that football bettors should follow, he goes by name of Reno Gold. Handicapping college football games for over thirty five years without a losing season, Reno has the experience and long term winning record only time can produce. Reno stomped the bookies with his opening 2010 college football picks going 11-1 during week 1. His players banked all season at the best online sportsbooks with a nice week one pad. Reno did have has third losing week of the season after going 3-4 on his 2010 College Football Predictions last week. But his overall record is an impressive 61-40-1 (60.6%). Register for our Free Sports Picks Newsletter and score big on Reno's early Week 12 College Football Picks!
