People bet on football across the globe and BookMaker customers can be prepared for the action by reading every NCAA preview. Start cramming your cranium with pigskin knowledge and start cashing college football lines today! The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Florida Gators square off in the Outback Bowl on Monday, January 2, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., ET. ABC will televise the game live.
Big 10 versus SEC. I love the matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Florida Gators in this year’s Outback Bowl televised live on ABC. It should be an even game, although it’s the Gators who are a field goal favorite when the line opened at BookMaker.eu. Bragging rights are on the line in what should be a hard fought defensive battle. Let’s give you all you need to know about the game and get your year started with an easy winner.
No. 25 IOWA HAWKEYES 8-4 vs No. 17 FLORIDA GATORS 8-4
January 2, 2017
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida - 1:00 p.m., ET - ABC
No. 25 IOWA 8-4
Before the season started, Iowa gave head coach Kirk Ferentz a nice new contract and his team responded by promptly losing their home opener to FCS North Dakota State, an FCS powerhouse, but an FCS team nonetheless. Losses to Northwestern, Wisconsin and Penn State had the Hawkeyes searching for answers at 5-4 with a game against Michigan looming. The unranked Hawks upset No. 3 Michigan and the complexion of the season changed for the better. They closed the season with two dominating wins to reach 8-4 for the year.
Defense is the key for the Hawkeyes and they have been excellent most the year and recently on fire holding opponents to 17 points or fewer in four of the last five games and five of the last seven. The unit is led by middle linebacker Josey Jewell and defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson, who have been been huge tackling presences all season, however one of their top players won’t be playing. Despite being healthy and able, star cornerback Desmond King decided to sit out to prepare for the NFL Draft and avoid an injury that could wipe out a big pro payday.
This marks the fifth time the Hawkeyes have played in the Outback Bowl and their first appearance since the 21-14 loss to LSU in 2013. Overall, the Hawkeyes are 2-2. Iowa has lost four straight bowl games dating back to 2010.
No. 17 FLORIDA 8-4
The Gators started the year 3-0 and looking to defeat Tennessee for an 11th straight season to remain undefeated but the Vols rallied and beat the Gators 38-28. Florida would rally to win its next three games to reach 6-1 and had thoughts of running the table but a lopsided loss to Arkansas on the road derailed their plans. They did however follow that loss up by winning two games in a row to clinch the SEC East.
Just when they were feeling good about themselves, the Gators were pounded by arch rival Florida State 31-13 and crushed by Alabama in the SEC Championship to finish 8-4 on the season.
Offensively, Florida has struggled. It looked like it finally found a quarterback in Luke Del Rio, but an injury kept him out of the Tennessee game, forcing Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby to start in the loss. Del Rio would return after Florida’s victory over Vanderbilt, but six interceptions in three games gave Appleby the reins for the remainder of the season, but he struggled mightily in the SEC Championship against Alabama, throwing three interceptions, with one returned for a touchdown. Appleby will have to do much better if the Gators hope to beat Iowa.
ODDS ANALYSIS:
Opening Line: Florida -2, Total 40.5
Current Line at BookMaker Sportsbook: Florida -3
Not much movement on this game so far. Florida opened up as a two-point favorite and quickly went to three. The public will likely drive the low total of 40.5 points up as we get closer to gameday, so before you pull the trigger on the under, wait until the day of the game to get the best possible number.
Iowa and Florida have played three times all time with the Gators winning two of three, including the last time they met in 2006.
THE PICK
In a game like this, both teams have to capitalize on every drive and every scoring opportunity. So far this season, Florida has the second-worst red zone offense, coming away with points a pathetic 70 percent of the time. Iowa is 12th in the nation in red zone defense, teams are scoring just 74 percent of the time inside the 20. Both teams rely on their stout defenses to control the pace of the game and both teams have suspect offenses. The first team to 20 points wins this game. Points will be tough to come by in this low-scoring affair. Don’t let the low point total scare you off the under. Iowa wins, 20-17.
The College Football betting odds and props for this week’s games were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now! The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Florida Gators square off in the Outback Bowl on Monday, January 2, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., ET. ABC will televise the game live
