Michigan State Spartans vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, 9/30/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Michigan State Spartans vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023

Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA

TV: Peacock

Odds/Point Spread: Hawkeyes (-7)

Total/Over-Under: 36.5

The Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1) are hosting the Michigan State Spartans (2-2) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Iowa opens this matchup as 7-point favorites. The total is set at 36.5.

The Michigan State Spartans head into this matchup 2-2 this season. In their last game, the Spartans played the Maryland Terrapins and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 31-9. Noah Kim went 18/32 with 190 yards passing and 1 TD. He had a quarterback rating of 103.9 and ended the contest with 2 picks. Nate Carter led the offense in rushing for the Spartans with 19 totes for 97 yds (5.1 yards per attempt). Overall, they ran 75 plays which gave them a total of 376 yards. The Michigan State Spartans ended up rushing 31 times and accumulated 102 yds, which is an average of 3.3 yards per tote. In the running game, the Spartans conceded 139 yards on 31 attempts, which calculates to 4.5 yds per rush surrendered. Michigan State conceded 21 completions on 36 tries for 223 yds, and a completion percentage of 58.3%.

Concerning getting in the endzone, the Michigan State Spartans have an average of 23.0 PPG. As a unit they're holding an average of 111.0 yards on the ground which has them sitting 113th in the nation. The Spartans have earned 1,508 total yards for the season. When it comes to notching touchdowns, Michigan State has totaled 6 passing touchdowns and 6 rushing touchdowns. Michigan State has earned 82 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 30 penalties for 264 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 8 times.

The Spartans are ranked 66th in D-1 concerning team defense, allowing 23.3 PPG. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.8 yards per rush on the ground and 128.5 rushing yards per game for the year. Over the course of this season, they have allowed 514 yards via the ground game in 4 outings. In terms of yards via the pass, the Spartans are giving up 973 yards which has them ranked 89th in D-1. They have surrendered 243.3 yards per game via the pass in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 64.9%. Over the course of this season, they have relinquished 371.8 yards per game which puts them 78th in Division 1. They have granted 9 touchdowns through the air as well as 2 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Hawkeyes head into this matchup 3-1 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Hawkeyes went home defeated by a final of 31-0 against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Cade McNamara ended the contest with 42 yds on 5/14 passing while his QB rating was 60.9. He kept the ball away from the defense with no interceptions and his Y/A was 3.0. Kamari Moulton ran the football 6 times for 18 yards, walking away from the game with 3.0 yards per attempt for Iowa. The Hawkeyes finished with a total of 76 yards on 33 plays (2.3 yds per play). Iowa rushed the ball for 1.2 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 20 yds on 17 attempts. Iowa gave up 57 running attempts for 215 yards (3.8 yards per carry). The Hawkeyes secondary gave up a completion rate of 65.0%, relinquishing 182 yds on 26 for 40 passing.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Hawkeyes sit 107th in Division 1 by tallying 21.3 points per game. The Iowa Hawkeyes have an average of 245.5 yards per outing, which has them ranked 131st in college football. The Iowa offense has racked up 83 penalty yds on 12 infractions, which is good for 130th in the nation in terms of giving up free yards. They have tossed 3 picks while allowing opponents to recover 4 fumbles and they have earned 50 first downs. Over the course of the season to this point, the Hawkeyes have thrown for a total of 508 yards via the pass along with holding an average of 127.0 throwing yards per outing, which ranks 126th in the nation. They hold an average of 118.5 yards per game via the ground game and have run for 474 yards overall.

Iowa has allowed a total of 535 yards via the ground game (133.8 yards per game) in addition to 0 touchdown by way of the ground game on the campaign. They have allowed 7 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 180.0 yards/game, which has them in 26th in D-1. They have compiled 1 fumble recovered and 2 interceptions for the year. The Hawkeyes defense has participated in 298 plays, which is good for 116th in the country. The Hawkeyes are relinquishing 17.0 PPG, ranking them 27th in the nation. This year, they have conceded 68 pts.

Who will win tonight's Spartans/Hawkeyes college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Hawkeyes -7

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