The Iowa Hawkeyes and the UCLA Bruins meet in week 11 college football action from the Rose Bowl on Friday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Iowa vs. UCLA prediction.
Iowa Recap
The Iowa Hawkeyes come into this one looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 42-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers last time out to climb to 6-3 on the year. After this game, Iowa will head on the road for a game against the Maryland Terrapins.
Hawkeyes Looking To Stay Hot
Cade McNamara has thrown for 1,017 yards, 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 60.5% passing while Kaleb Johnson leads the Hawkeyes with 1,279 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Luke Lachey leads Iowa with 24 receptions for 209 yards while another four Hawkeyes have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Jay Higgins leads Iowa with 94 total tackles while Aaron Graves has a team-high 5 sacks. Max Llewellyn has 3.5 sacks and Brian Allen has 3 sacks while Higgins and Jermari Harris each have 3 interceptions on the year. As a unit, Iowa’s defense has combined for 20 sacks and 12 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win
- Iowa has won each of its last 10 November road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- UCLA has lost each of its last five games at Rose Bowl.
- UCLA has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams at Rose Bowl.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of UCLA’s last four games.
UCLA Recap
The UCLA Bruins come into this game looking to build on a 27-20 win over Nebraska last time out to improve to 3-5 on the year. After this game UCLA will head on the road for a date with the Washington Huskies.
Bruins Looking To Stay Bowl Eligible
Ethan Garbers has thrown for 1,703 yards, 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 65.3% passing while T.J. Harden has rushed for a team-high 226 rushing yards. Moliki Matavao leads UCLA in receiving with 303 receiving yards while Harden has a team-high 27 receptions for 241 yards. Two more UCLA receivers have 200+ receiving yards and another four more Bruins have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Carson Schwesinger has a team-high 85 total tackles. As a unit, UCLA has combined for 10 sacks and 4 interceptions so far this season.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- UCLA has won each of its last three November games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of Iowa’s last five games.
Iowa vs. UCLA Prediction
I’m on the over here. I get why one would look at the under, but Iowa overs have been money this season now that the Hawkeyes have some semblance of a passing game, while UCLA has been able to crank out points in each of the last two weeks as well on their end. I think this has sneaky potential to be a higher-scoring game on Friday night under the lights so give me the over.