One of the dark horse contenders for the national championship to consider as you are betting college football this season is the Iowa Hawkeyes. They have double-digit college football betting line odds but Iowa has the talent to surprise some people and win the Big 10.
Betting college football with Iowa is usually pretty profitable. That was the case last season as the Hawkeyes went 11-2 straight up and 8-4 against the spread. Iowa did not have good seasons in 2006 or 2007 but they rebounded nicely in the last two seasons and that success should carry over to 2010. The Hawkeyes played in the Orange Bowl last season and defeated Georgia Tech.
Iowa returns 14 starters from last year’s team and they could be just as good. The defense returns Adrian Clayborn up front and All-America candidate Tyler Sash in the secondary. They also have a returning senior leading them on offense in senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Iowa’s schedule is favorable which should mean a lot of success vs. the college football betting online odds. They get Iowa State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State at home.
Iowa’s offense is led by the erratic Stanzi who somehow finds a way to win games. He threw for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He also threw 15 interceptions last season. Stanzi should not have to do much this season as Iowa is loaded at running back with Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher not to mention Jewel Hampton who returns from injury. The Hawkeyes also have solid receivers in Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and junior Marvin McNutt.
The defense is solid up front and in the secondary but linebackers are a question mark as Senior Jeremiha Hunter is the only returning starter. Iowa should not have too much trouble on defense though as head coach Kirk Ferentz always gets good play on that side of the ball.
Iowa is picked to finish second in the Big 10 this season but they are capable of finishing first. Their toughest games will be at home and Iowa rarely loses on their home field. They get Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State all at home. All of their road games are winnable at Arizona, Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern and Minnesota.