Michigan State vs. Iowa: College Football Week 5 Odds & Picks (2023)
In Week 4, we had two competitive games late but were unable to cash another long-shot winner after three consecutive positive weeks. Conference play continues to ramp up as we see more teams that are familiar with each other battle. These conference games often breed huge long-shot winners.
Here are my favorite outright, large underdogs for this weekend. And here’s a deeper dive on Michigan State vs. Iowa.
Best College Football Week 5 Long Shot Bets: Michigan State vs. Iowa
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Michigan State (+380) at Iowa (-12)
It's been a tumultuous few weeks for the Spartans. Controversy struck the coaching staff, and Mel Tucker's firing is just a formality at this point. It couldn't have come at a less opportune time, as Washington and Maryland were next up on the schedule. Both games ended in a blowout to the surprise of few, and next up is a team that struggles to blow out even their weakest of opponents, Iowa.
The loss against Washington is forgivable. The Huskies will make a lot of teams look like that on less stressful weeks than Michigan State experienced. The loss to Maryland looked bad on the scoreboard, but a deeper dive into the box score tells a very different story. The turnover bug bit Michigan State in a big way. Three interceptions, a fumble, a turnover on downs at the goal line and a missed field goal plagued the Spartans. They out-gained Maryland and won the time of possession. The five-to-one turnover differential was a crucial factor in that loss. Michigan State isn't as bad as they've shown the last two weeks, and I have no concern about their opponent.
Iowa showed, yet again, that their offense isn't cut out for major College Football. Their second-half onslaught of an overmatched Western Michigan was shown to be a mirage when they were shut out by Penn State. The inability to move the ball consistently will start biting Iowa more as they play some tougher competition in the Big Ten. Michigan State, although not a defensive juggernaut, is more than capable of slowing the Hawkeyes down. This is the last opportunity for the Spartans to show they haven't fully given up on the season, and I expect them to do so.
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