Ball State at Iowa
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The No.18 Iowa Hawkeyes will look to get back on track this Saturday after a disappointing loss on the road to Arizona, as they are set to host the Ball State Cardinals in non-conference action. Looking at the current odds, the oddsmakers are all over Iowa to beat up on the Cardinals, as the Hawkeyes come in 28-point favorites over Ball State at home.
Ball State (1-2): After beating Southeast Missouri State in the season opener, the Cardinals have dropped two straight, including a 24-13 loss at Purdue last Saturday. The Cardinals offense was unable to do much against the Boilermakers last week, as they managed just 256 yards of total offense and were just 4 of 13 on third down conversions.
The majority of the Cardinals offense this season has came on the ground, as the Cardinals come in averaging nearly 180 rushing yards per game. Eric Williams led the Cardinals with 62 yards on just 10 carries against Purdue, and comes into the game against he Hawkeyes with 211 yards and a touchdown.
If the Cardinals are unable to get the running game going against a strong Hawkeye defense, they could be in a lot of trouble, as they come into the game averaging just 128 yards through the air. Both Kelly Page and Keith Wenning have seen extended playing time this season at quarterback, but they have combined for just two touchdowns to three interceptions.
Iowa (2-1): The Hawkeyes really hurt themselves in their first loss of the season, as they gave up big play after big play in the first half against Arizona. The Hawkeyes stalled on their first drive, and had their punt blocked, leading to an easy Arizona touchdown. On the Hawkeyes next drive Arizona intercepted a dropped pass 85-yards for a score. The Hawkeyes showed why they were ranked No.9 in the country, as they fought back from a 27-7 deficit to tie the game at 27, but a late touchdown drive by Arizona proved to be too much for Iowa to overcome.
With the Hawkeyes down big early, they had to completely abandon their normal game plan of running the football, as the Hawkeyes finished the game with just 29 rushing yards. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi completed 18 of 33 attempts for 278 yards and two touchdowns, but was under pressure all night, as Arizona racked up six sacks, including three on the Hawkeyes final drive of the game. Despite the fact that Iowa gave up 30 or more points for the first time since 2007, the blame can not go on the defense in this one.
Looking at the Odds: There is no question that the Hawkeyes are the better football team in this game, and I think your money has to be on the Hawkeyes to cover the 28-point spread in this game. Ball State is going to have one hell of a time moving the ball against the Hawkeyes front seven, and I think Iowa gets back to its ground and pound attack to cruise to an easy win over Ball State. My final score prediction is Iowa 38, Ball State 9.
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