Penn State Nittany Lions vs Iowa Hawkeyes Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NCAA Football Betting Preview | October 9 2021

We got a heavyweight matchup this coming Saturday, as the undefeated Penn State Nittany Lions take on the unbeaten Iowa Hawkeyes, who are the only team with a spotless record over at the Big Ten West division. Check out our preview of this game below.

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Betting Preview for the Penn State Nittany Lions vs Iowa Hawkeyes NCAA Week 6 College Football Game on October 9, 2021

Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City

When: Saturday, October 9, 2021, 4:00 PM ET

Line: Penn State Nittany Lions (+2.5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (-2.5) – view all 2021 NCAAF lines

TV Broadcast: FOX

Betting on the Penn State Nittany Lions (+2.5)

Record: 4-0 Overall / 2-0 Conference

Penn State’s suffocation defense was back at it again in Week 5 of the 2021 college football season, as the Nittany Lions devoured the Indiana Hoosiers at home last Saturday, 24-0. Indiana isn’t an elite team, but it scored 24 points in a loss to then-No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats on Sept. 18, which should emphasize just how good Penn State’s stop unit is. In fact, the Nittany Lions are third nationally with just 12.0 points per game allowed so far this season. Iowa’s offense will be a harder test, of course, for Penn State, but the Nittany Lions’ offense is also good enough to extend plays and limit the Hawkeyes’ time with the ball. Quarterback Sean Clifford and wide receiver Jahan Dotson have been playing sweet music together and had just hooked up for two touchdowns against the Hoosiers. Clifford and Dotson have teamed up for 18 touchdowns in their careers at Penn State, and that’s a chemistry that can’t be played down by any defense out there.

Penn State is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games overall.

Betting on the Iowa Hawkeyes (-2.5)

Record: 5-0 Overall / 2-0 Conference

Iowa didn’t waste much time showing how big of a threat it is to the rest of the college football world by opening the season with back-to-back wins over Indiana and the Iowa State Cyclones. The Hoosiers are the common opponent thus far between the Hawkeyes and the Nittany Lions, and one could make a case that Iowa’s win over Indiana was more impressive than Penn State’s even though the Hawkeyes gave up six points. For one, the Hawkeyes scored more points (34) and had more interceptions off Michael Penix Jr. than Penn State, 3-1. Speaking of Iowa’s defense, the Hawkeyes’ D leads the Big Ten with 12 interceptions. The Hawkeyes are the only team in the conference with more than seven defensive interceptions. Their pass rush also has already recorded 13.0 sacks while Penn State just has 8.0, to date. On offense, the Hawkeyes have running back Tyler Goodson, who can be a game-changer. He is sixth in the Big Ten with 86.0 rushing yards per game.

Iowa is 3-1 against the spread in its last four games overall.

Writer’s Prediction

Iowa wins, 27-23.

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