The Big Ten kicks off its season with an excellent matchup this Saturday as the Indiana Hoosiers travel to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. It is a top 20 matchup that will set the tone for both teams as they look to start things off with a big win against a conference foe.

Let’s look at the matchup and the latest betting odds below.

Hawkeyes lead with defense

Last season, Iowa was the No. 6 scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 16.0 points per game. Even though the Hawkeyes lost their leading tackler and both leading pass rushers, they are returning their entire starting secondary. That secondary, led by Riley Moss, only allowed 206.1 passing yards per game, and tallied up 11 interceptions in eight contests.

Iowa holds the nation’s sixth longest active win streak after they finished the season with six consecutive wins. They also return their starting quarterback, leading rusher, and starting tight end, who was their second leading receiver, from last year. The biggest question mark will be the young offensive line that has zero seniors and four freshmen in the top two at each position.

Micah "The Menace" McFadden returns

Last year, Micah McFadden was a menace to every opposing offense from the inside linebacker position. He led the team with 59 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks. He also tallied up two interceptions. Marcelino McCrary-Ball will also be returning after missing the 2020 season with injury. He is projected to be a mid-round draft pick next year.

On the offensive side of the ball, the combination of Michael Penix Jr. and Ty Fryfogle return from a successful 2020 campaign. Penix Jr. averaged 274.2 passing yards and 2.3 passing touchdowns per game. Fryfogle averaged 4.6 receptions, 90.1 receiving yards, and 0.9 touchdowns per game. The difference maker will be the addition of graduate transfer running back, Stephen Carr, from USC. If he can expand on the role left behind by Stevie Scott last season, then this team can make real noise in the conference.

Indiana and Iowa Betting Trends

• The Hawkeyes have won seven of the past eight meetings between these two teams
• The Hoosiers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog and have covered five straight
• The Hoosiers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games on the road and have covered five straight
• The Under is 4-1 in the last five games for Indiana and 7-2-1 in the last 10 home games for Iowa
• The Hawkeyes are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games at home

Indiana will outlast Iowa in a defensive struggle

Both teams will come into this with a strong defense that will be tough to score on. However, the inexperienced offensive and defensive lines for Iowa will be the difference maker. I trust Penix and the Indiana offense to move the ball against a strong defense more than I trust Spencer Petras to do so.

Indiana will come into Iowa City and outplay Iowa at their own game and win a low scoring affair to start their Big Ten season off with a massive road win.

Score Prediction: Indiana 17, Iowa 9

NCAAF Picks: Indiana +3.5, Under 45