The Music City Bowl is set for Saturday afternoon when the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5) play the Kentucky Wildcats (7-5). Iowa is making their 33rd bowl appearance and currently have a 17-16-1 record. Kentucky is appearing in their 21st bowl game and have a 12-9 record. Below is my college football pick for Iowa vs Kentucky.
Iowa vs Kentucky Betting Pick
| ℹ️ The Pick: | Kentucky +2.5 |
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This game will be played at Nissan Stadium at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
Why Bet Kentucky +2.5
✅ Kentucky is 10-4-1 against the spread in their last 15 games played.
✅ The Wildcats are 10-4 straight up in their last 14 games against Big Ten opponents.
✅ Iowa is 1-4 straight up in their last five games against SEC opponents.
NCAAFB
Iowa Hawkeyes
Kentucky Wildcats
Team Stats
Passing
Offense/Defense
| IOWA | Passing | UK |
|---|---|---|
| 12.4 | CMP | 14.8 |
| 20.2 | ATT | 23.3 |
| 61.6 | CMP% | 63.4 |
| 131.7 | Y/G | 183.7 |
| 6.5 | Y/A | 7.9 |
| 0.8 | TD/G | 0.8 |
Defense/Offense
| IOWA | Passing | UK |
|---|---|---|
| 20.2 | CMP | 13.9 |
| 32.3 | ATT | 26 |
| 62.5 | CMP% | 53.5 |
| 196.1 | Y/G | 184.8 |
| 6.1 | Y/A | 7.1 |
| 1.5 | TD/G | 1.3 |
Rushing
Offense/Defense
| IOWA | Rushing | UK |
|---|---|---|
| 38.6 | ATT | 36.3 |
| 199.8 | Y/G | 161.8 |
| 5.2 | Y/A | 4.5 |
| 2.4 | TD/G | 1.7 |
Defense/Offense
| IOWA | Rushing | UK |
|---|---|---|
| 31.1 | ATT | 36.9 |
| 117.5 | Y/G | 145.6 |
| 3.8 | Y/A | 3.9 |
| 0.3 | TD/G | 0.9 |
Special Teams
| IOWA | Special Teams | UK |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | Punts-GM | 3.7 |
| 44.2 | Punt Avg | 44.0 |
| 2.1 | Kick Ret GM | 2.5 |
| 24.9 | Kick Ret Avg | 20.4 |
| 2.2 | Punt Ret GM | 1.3 |
| 12.0 | Punt Ret Avg | 8.1 |
Betting Trends
| IOWA | Betting Trends | UK |
|---|---|---|
| OVERALL | OVERALL | |
| 2-1-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 1-2-0 |
| 2-1-0 | ATS W/L/P | 2-1-0 |
| 18 | Avg Score | 17.67 |
| 14.67 | Avg Opp Score | 17.67 |
| AWAY | HOME | |
| 2-1-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 1-2-0 |
| 2-1-0 | ATS W/L/P | 2-1-0 |
| 15.67 | Avg Score | 17.67 |
| 22.33 | Avg Opp Score | 17.67 |
| IOWA | Betting Trends | UK |
|---|---|---|
| OVERALL | OVERALL | |
| 4-1-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 2-3-0 |
| 4-1-0 | ATS W/L/P | 3-2-0 |
| 22.2 | Avg Score | 16 |
| 12 | Avg Opp Score | 22.8 |
| AWAY | HOME | |
| 3-2-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 2-3-0 |
| 4-1-0 | ATS W/L/P | 3-2-0 |
| 16 | Avg Score | 18.8 |
| 17.2 | Avg Opp Score | 18.8 |
| IOWA | Betting Trends | UK |
|---|---|---|
| OVERALL | OVERALL | |
| 6-4-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 5-5-0 |
| 7-3-0 | ATS W/L/P | 6-4-0 |
| 19.5 | Avg Score | 20.2 |
| 16 | Avg Opp Score | 20 |
| AWAY | HOME | |
| 6-4-0 | Win/Loss/Tie | 7-3-0 |
| 6-3-1 | ATS W/L/P | 6-3-1 |
| 20 | Avg Score | 26.9 |
| 18 | Avg Opp Score | 16.3 |
Head to Head
Teams Last 10
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Iowa Hawkeyes
Last time out, Iowa ended their regular season with a bad 24-17 home loss against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers scored the first 24 points of the game and were pitching a shutout until midway through the third quarter. Iowa made it a one score game with just under six minutes left, but it was too little too late for the Hawkeyes.
Two Iowa passers combined to go 17/39 for 150 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Kaleb Johnson ran the ball 16 times for 109 yards, a 6.8 average, and one touchdown in the loss. Defensively, Iowa allowed 329 total yards and recovered one Nebraska fumble.
Through 12 games, Iowa is scoring 17.4 points per game and gaining 255.4 yards, 158.2 through the air and 97.3 on the ground. Defensively, the Hawkeyes allow 14.4 points and 277.9 yards, 173.8 passing and 104.1 rushing.
Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky hosted rival #25 Louisville and earned a routine 26-13 win. The Wildcats scored the first 13 points of the game and led 13-7 at the half. Kentucky also scored the first 13 points of the second half as they cruised to the two-touchdown win.
Will Levis went 11/19 for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interception on the day. Barion Brown and Dane Key each hauled in touchdown passes. Defensively, Kentucky allowed 309 total yards and forced three Louisville turnovers, two interceptions and one recovered fumble.
After 12 games, Kentucky is scoring 22.1 points per game and gaining 336.3 yards, 216.1 through the air and 120.3 on the ground. Defensively, the Wildcats allow 19.1 points and 320.2 yards, 173.4 passing and 146.8 rushing.
