Ohio State vs. Iowa Picks: Prediction, Props and Best Bets

Ohio State vs Iowa Picks in Summary

• Iowa +14.5 (-110)
• Julian Sayin Under 277.5 Passing Yards (-114)

Saturday's Ohio State-Iowa matchup features a classic strength-on-strength battle between the Buckeyes' high-powered offense and a Hawkeyes defense that has been among the toughest units in college football.

With Ohio State laying more than two touchdowns on the road and several player prop markets available, there are multiple ways to attack this Big Ten matchup.

Using the college football odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, here are our best bets for this game.

All college football odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Ohio State vs Iowa Prediction and Picks

Iowa +14.5 (-110)

The Ohio State Buckeyes have significantly more offensive firepower than the Iowa Hawkeyes do, but asking the Buckeyes to cover more than two touchdowns at Kinnick Stadium against this Iowa defense is a sizable task.

The Hawkeyes have been outstanding defensively through four games, allowing only 8.0 points and 239.8 total yards per game. Iowa ranks 10th nationally in total defense while giving up only 152.0 passing yards per game and 87.8 rushing yards per contest. The Hawkeyes have already recorded two shutouts and have held three of their four opponents to 255 or fewer total yards.

Iowa has also shown it can hang with high-level competition, going on the road and beating then-No. 18 Michigan, 20-19, last week. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 overall and now get this matchup at Kinnick, where Ohio State hasn't played since its infamous 55-24 loss in 2017.

Ohio State certainly has the offensive ceiling to create separation, particularly with Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith operating at an elite level. Still, Iowa's ability to limit explosive plays and shorten games makes 14.5 points appealing as we get a win on the key number 14.

Julian Sayin Under 277.5 Passing Yards (-114)

Sayin has been excellent through four games, completing 72.2% of his attempts for 1,206 yards and 10 touchdowns against only one interception. He's coming off his biggest game of the season, throwing for 367 yards and four touchdowns in Ohio State's 42-19 victory over Illinois.

But this matchup is dramatically more difficult.

As we covered above, Iowa is allowing only 152.0 passing yards per game and ranks 10th nationally in pass-efficiency defense. Opposing offenses are averaging just 239.8 total yards per game against the Hawkeyes, and Iowa has allowed only 32 points across four contests.

The game environment also points toward potentially reduced passing volume. The game’s over/under sits at only 45.5 points, and Ohio State is favored by 14.5. If the Buckeyes play from ahead, they won't necessarily need Sayin throwing 35-plus times against one of the country's better defenses.

Sayin is averaging 301.5 passing yards per game, so we're betting against his season-long average. But the quality of his opponent in this one matters and so does the venue.

With this prop a 277.5-yard line, I like the under in what projects to be one of Ohio State's more methodical offensive games of the season.

College Football Betting FAQ

What are the most common college football bets?

The most common college football bets are the point spread, moneyline, and game total. Bettors can also wager on player props, team totals, alternate spreads, and futures such as conference champions or the national championship winner.

How does the point spread work in college football betting?

The point spread gives one team a handicap to create a more even betting market. If a team is listed at -7.5, it must win by at least eight points for a spread bet on that team to cash. A team listed at +7.5 can lose by seven points or fewer — or win outright — and still cover the spread.

What does over/under mean in college football?

An over/under, also called a game total, is a wager on the combined number of points scored by both teams. Bettors can choose whether the final score will finish over or under the sportsbook's posted total.

What should you consider before betting on college football?

Matchups, quarterback play, offensive and defensive efficiency, injuries, pace, home-field advantage, and coaching tendencies can all be important.

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Looking for the latest college football odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the college football betting options. You can also check out our How to Bet on College Football guide.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.