The University of Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5, 3-2 Away) travel to face the University of Kentucky Wildcats (7-5, 5-3 Home) at Nissan Stadium on Saturday. The Hawkeyes are two-point favorites, and the total is 31.
Iowa is coming off a 24-17 loss at the hands of Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium on November 25. Alex Padilla threw for 141 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Kaleb Johnson ran 16 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. Luke Lachey caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Kentucky beat Louisville 26-13 at Kroger Field on November 26. Will Levis was 11 of 19 for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Rodriguez Jr. carried 24 times for 120 yards. Josh Kattus had two receptions for 76 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Hawkeyes are averaging 17.4 points per game for the season, 123rd in FBS, and they are facing a Wildcats defense that has surrendered 19.1 PPG (12th). Meanwhile, Kentucky has scored 22.1 points a game this season, 105th in the nation, and Iowa is allowing 14.4 PPG (6th).
The Hawkeyes rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in both passing (158.2, 123rd) and rushing (97.3, 122nd) yards per game. They will be facing a particularly tough test through the air, as the Wildcats are seventh in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (173.4). Against the run, Kentucky is 63rd (146.8).
Kentucky is 88th in the country in passing yards per game (216.1) and 109th in rushing (120.3). Iowa’s defense has proven stout on both fronts, as the Hawkeyes are 9th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (173.8) and 13th against the run (104.1).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 12 games, Spencer Petras has thrown for five touchdowns (5 INT) and 143.8 yards per game to lead Iowa in passing. In five games away from home this season, he has two TDs (3 INT) and an average of 156.0 yards passing. Kaleb Johnson leads the team in rushing with an average of 63.5 yards a game over 12 games.
He has six touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Sam LaPorta is the Hawkeyes’ leading receiver with 54.6 yards a game and one TD.Will Levis has 19 passing touchdowns (10 INT) with 218.7 yards per game through 11 games to lead Kentucky. Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been the team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 113.0 yards a game through eight games.
He has six touchdowns. Barion Brown has been the primary target in the Wildcats’ aerial attack. He has four touchdowns and a 50.3 yard per game average through 12 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Kentucky (+110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
