{"id":25400,"date":"2023-12-31T14:12:58","date_gmt":"2023-12-31T19:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=25400"},"modified":"2023-12-31T14:13:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-31T19:13:00","slug":"iowa-vs-tennessee-free-picks-citrus-bowl-best-bets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/college-football-bowl-games\/iowa-vs-tennessee-free-picks-citrus-bowl-best-bets\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa vs Tennessee Free Picks : Citrus Bowl Best Bets, #1 Predictions 1\/1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Tennessee Volunteers Best Bets<\/strong> : Citrus Bowl Analysis & Massive Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Football content contributor Ron Marmalefsky<\/a>\u00a0offers some tart picks on The Citrus Bowl being played on January 1st, between Iowa and Tennessee. What are his takeaways and things to watch when considering betting? Find top predictions here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I admit it.\u00a0 I am fascinated with Iowa football.\u00a0 Maybe I was the only one, but I couldn\u2019t stop watching their offense or their defense, clearly for vastly different reasons.\u00a0 By contrast, Tennessee plays offense at warp speed.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, I just learned that QB Milton will opt-out of this game (this preview is being written on 12\/27).\u00a0 Regardless, this should be a fun one to handicap.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find free college football best bets<\/a> and bowl game coverage<\/a> this postseason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Citrus Bowl Predictions and Best Bets: Iowa Overview <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iowa\u2019s offensive troubles are well documented.\u00a0 In Big Ten play they averaged about 14.5 points per game.\u00a0 They averaged a paltry 13 1st<\/sup> downs per game.\u00a0 QB Hill was pressed into action at the end of September.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s completed just over 49% of his passes, with five touchdowns and six interceptions.\u00a0 RB Williams was strong, averaging 4.95 per carry.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RB Johnson did not reach four yards-per-carry.\u00a0 Overall, for all games, Iowa \u201cimproved\u201d to 3.9 per carry.\u00a0 This could be a problem vs. Tennessee\u2019s improved run defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iowa Defensive Analysis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coaching continuity on the defensive side of the ball has produced consistently solid results.\u00a0 Defensive interceptions were down this year, but historically, the Hawkeyes are top five in this metric.\u00a0 For the 4th<\/sup> year in a row, the run defense was in the 3.3 to 3.4 yards allowed per carry range.\u00a0 Penn State ran 57-215.\u00a0 Wisconsin ran 28-105. \u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Big Ten Title game (where Iowa\u2019s offense was completely outclassed), Michigan ran just 32-104, with the figures corrected for sacks.\u00a0 Most other teams were held way down.\u00a0 Tennessee is a step up in class and athleticism, but as you will see below, will be missing their top two RB\u2019s.\u00a0 For at least the 6th<\/sup> straight season, Iowa\u2019s pass defense was at 58% or lower.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s figure was 56%, and yards-per-reception at a fantastic number of under nine yards per catch.\u00a0 Iowa\u2019s kicker slumped to 19-27.\u00a0 The sack ratio was mediocre at 27-28.\u00a0 They have a solid kick returner.\u00a0 Finally, they hold a +306 penalty yardage edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citrus Bowl Video Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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