Utah State Aggies vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  USU +25.5, Iowa -25.5; Over/Under:  43.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  USU +25, Iowa -25; Over/Under:  43.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  USU +25.5, Iowa -25.5; Over/Under:  43.5 points

Utah State Aggies:  0-0 (MWC)

Iowa Hawkeyes:  0-0 (Big Ten West)

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Utah State Aggies:  N/A

Iowa Hawkeyes:  N/A

Utah State finished last season with a 6-7 record overall and they had a 5-3 record in their conference games too.  They were 4-2 in their home games, 2-4 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 22.2 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 31.2 points per game. Their offense also averaged 354.3 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 399.2 yards per game. Cooper Legas led the team in passing yards with 1499, Calvin Tyler Jr. led the team in rushing yards with 1122, and Brian Cobbs led the team in receiving yards with 923.

 

 

 

Iowa finished last season with an 8-5 record overall and they had a 5-4 record in their conference games too.  They were 4-3 in their home games, 3-2 in their road games, and they were also 1-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 17.7 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 13.3 points per game. Their offense also averaged 251.5 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 270.8 yards per game. Spencer Petras led the team in passing yards with 1725, Kaleb Johnson led the team in rushing yards with 779, and Sam Laporta led the team in receiving yards with 657.

The current betting odds have Iowa listed as a 25.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Iowa finished last season with an 8-5 record overall and they did have one of the best defenses in the entire country which helped them win all of those games. Their offense really struggled though as they could not move the ball well but now they have a new starting QB who came over from Michigan and their offense will be a lot better this season with a competent QB running the show. Utah State also had an offense that struggled to score points in their games last season and unfortunately for them, Legas is returning for another season. Utah State doesn't have a defense as good as Iowa either so their offensive struggles from last season will definitely spill over into this game against one of the best defenses in the Big Ten. The Iowa offense will also be able to move the ball a lot better on this Utah State defense so they will have no trouble pulling away in this game and hanging onto their lead. The best way to place a bet here is on Iowa to cover the spread in this game. 

Utah State Iowa Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Iowa 41 USU 7.

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Utah State Aggies: 3-5 ATS in the first month of the season. 13-7 UNDER in a road game where the total is between 42.5 and 49. 8-2 UNDER in non-conference games. 9-4 UNDER in the first half of the season.

Iowa Hawkeyes: 16-7 ATS as a favorite of 21.5 to 31 points. 18-8 ATS as a home favorite of 21.5 or more points. 19-9 UNDER in a home game where the total is between 42.5 and 45. 8-0 UNDER in non-conference games.

Utah State Aggies:  B. Lane (TE) Ques Sat - Foot.

Iowa Hawkeyes:  J. Johnson (WR) Ques Sat - Poss. Suspension. J. Labas (QB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. C. McNamara (QB) Ques Sat - Quadricep. N. Ragaini (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. J. Bostick (WR) Ques Sat - Foot. N. Shannon (DL) out for season - Suspension.

"We got out of the day healthy, which was a huge concern. Guys are beat up, sore and tired, but they pushed through. We had some good plays and bad plays on both sides. Plenty to learn from, but it will be good video for us to watch. We're seeing some of these new guys starting to establish some things. Too many sacks and too many busted protections. And, we missed a bunch of shots that were one-on-one downfield. But, we didn't turn the ball over. That's two scrimmages in a row where we haven't turned the ball over and that gives us a chance. Other than that, we'll have to watch the tape to see what it looks like." - Blake Anderson on his team coming into this new college football season.

“Since he’s been here, he’s taken ownership. He’s been one of us. He’s jumped in there and acts like a guy you would hope, who’s got some seniority and who’s got some experience. Yet he’s been respectful, too, that he hasn’t done anything here yet. But he’s anxious to compete.” - Kirk Ferentz on starting QB Cade McNamara coming into this new season.

WR Royals, Jalen 

WR Tia, Otto 

WR Vaughn, Terrell 

TE Sterzer, Josh 

QB Legas, Cooper 

RB Briggs Jr., Robert 

WR Ragaini, Nico 

WR Vines, Diante 

TE Lachey, Luke 

QB McNamara, Cade 

RB Johnson, Kaleb 

FB Large, Hayden 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Utah State Aggies: Blake Anderson (3rd season)

Iowa Hawkeyes: Kirk Ferentz (25th season)