Last weekend, the total for the Iowa Hawkeyes’ matchup with the Minnesota Golden Gophers opened at 30.5 points, a record-low over-under. On Sunday, Iowa’s tilt with Northwestern opened at Circa Sports with the over-under set at 29.5 points. This upcoming game is set to feature the lowest point total in FBS betting history.
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Week 10 Opening LinesOpening App Limits: $3k Sides, $1k Totals pic.twitter.com/qkGIVvzqww
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) October 29, 2023
Before last Saturday’s game set the record at 30.5 points, there were two games tied with a total of 31.5 points. One was the Iowa Hawkeyes against Minnesota (again) on November 19, 2022. The other was Iowa facing off with Kentucky in the 2022 Music City Bowl. Not only are these record-low totals familiar territory for Iowa, but both of those games finished comfortably under the total, so they aren’t competitive enough.
The Hawkeyes also lost 12-10 last week, meaning that yet again the total wasn’t low enough to even make under-bettors sweat. Maybe this time sportsbooks will get it right. Then again, when these schools met last season, the final score was 17-12, so under 29.5 was still a winner. This game is being held at Wrigley Field, the historic baseball venue, so unfamiliar territory probably won’t help these offenses navigate their way to the end zone either.
Why Does This Keep Happening to the Iowa Hawkeyes?
Simply put, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ team, coaches, and opponents are the perfect storm for impossibly low-scoring contests. On defense and special teams, the Hawkeyes have been among college football’s elite for years. Offensively, they border complete incompetence, which is a major reason why head coach Kirk Ferentz’s son, Brian Ferentz, will not be the team’s offensive coordinator next season. The rest of the Big Ten West, Iowa’s division, is also known for stout defenses and lifeless offenses.
Injuries haven’t helped this year either, with star tight ends Erick All and Luke Lachey joining starting quarterback Cade McNamara as players to suffer season-ending injuries. This year’s offense is averaging 19.5 points per game (120th in the nation), but a 41-point outburst against Western Michigan is a clear outlier. The defense is only allowing 14.5 points per game (6th nationally), with the team’s 31-0 loss sticking out among their eight games.
As it stands, they’re 6-2 and tied for the Big Ten West lead without an offense. The record-setting totals that this team consistently sets are fun for the game, even if it limits their on-field success.
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