Iowa excels at defending the explosive play 2025 goes out with a bang as the CFP playoffs getting back into gear and four other intriguing Bowl matchups, including:
Iowa +3.0 vs Vanderbilt – Vandy has the better record and the Heisman runner up QB but the Hawkeyes happen to match up very well against the Commodores. Both teams like to move the chains and drain the clock. Vandy ranks 118th in plays run this season per game, while the Hawkeyes rank 130th in offensive snaps per contest.
The Hawkeyes rank in the top 20 yards allowed, forcing opponents into long drives that end in field goals. The Hawkeyes are extremely strong against the run concepts the Vandy offense likes to run. Vanderbilt loves to set up the explosive, but this is an Iowa defense ranked in the Top 10 in defending explosive plays. Everything Iowa does well on defense directly challenges what Vanderbilt needs to succeed.
Yes the Iowa offense is below average but Vandy’s defense has given up yards all season, ranking in the bottom quartile in many key metrics.
In a game that could come down to special teams, this is an are that Iowa has, and historically does, succeed.
I’ll take the points in what should be a game that comes down to the final minutes.
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Iowa +3.0 vs Vanderbilt – Vandy has the better record and the Heisman runner up QB but the Hawkeyes happen to match up very well against the Commodores. Both teams like to move the chains and drain the clock. Vandy ranks 118th in plays run this season per game, while the Hawkeyes rank 130th in offensive snaps per contest.
The Hawkeyes rank in the top 20 yards allowed, forcing opponents into long drives that end in field goals. The Hawkeyes are extremely strong against the run concepts the Vandy offense likes to run. Vanderbilt loves to set up the explosive, but this is an Iowa defense ranked in the Top 10 in defending explosive plays. Everything Iowa does well on defense directly challenges what Vanderbilt needs to succeed.
Yes the Iowa offense is below average but Vandy’s defense has given up yards all season, ranking in the bottom quartile in many key metrics.
In a game that could come down to special teams, this is an are that Iowa has, and historically does, succeed.
I’ll take the points in what should be a game that comes down to the final minutes.
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Darian Mensah "resigned" with Duke Arizona State vs Duke over 47.5 - Michigan was hot for ASU HC Kenny Dillingham, but the was jerking them around to get a raise. It’s GRRRREAATT!
This is another bowl game with significant opt outs and injuries. Arizona State fielded a sound defense but that unit takes a hit without its top player, cornerback Keith Abney II. His absence will be felt against a great quarterback in Darian Mensah (3,646 passing yards, 30 touchdowns to 5 interceptions). The Sun Devils will also be without leading tackler Keyshaun Elliot, while third-leading tackler Myles Rowser continues to weigh his decision after declaring for the NFL Draft.
Duke scored 34 points per game, so the Blue Devils should find the end zone against a depleted defense.
Dukes defense this year has made Swiss cheese look like a brick. Duke’s defense will be without arguably its two best players. Chandler Rivers is an NFL corner and has five more PBUs than any other player on the roster, whereas Vincent Anthony Jr. leads the team in sacks (7.5) and is second in pressures (31).
I’ll take the over as two depleted defenses keep the scoreboard spinning.
This is another bowl game with significant opt outs and injuries. Arizona State fielded a sound defense but that unit takes a hit without its top player, cornerback Keith Abney II. His absence will be felt against a great quarterback in Darian Mensah (3,646 passing yards, 30 touchdowns to 5 interceptions). The Sun Devils will also be without leading tackler Keyshaun Elliot, while third-leading tackler Myles Rowser continues to weigh his decision after declaring for the NFL Draft.
Duke scored 34 points per game, so the Blue Devils should find the end zone against a depleted defense.
Dukes defense this year has made Swiss cheese look like a brick. Duke’s defense will be without arguably its two best players. Chandler Rivers is an NFL corner and has five more PBUs than any other player on the roster, whereas Vincent Anthony Jr. leads the team in sacks (7.5) and is second in pressures (31).
I’ll take the over as two depleted defenses keep the scoreboard spinning.
Ohio State opens up the passing game when the playoffs start Money Line Parlay, Texas over Michigan, Utah over Nebraska, Ohio State over Miami (FL) (+100) – Texas’s roster may have been devastated by opt outs but the good news is that QB Arch Manning will play today. He’s without second-leading receiver DeAndre Moore but does retain explosive threats in Ryan Wingo and Parker Livingstone.
That should be enough to outscore a Michigan offense that has struggled all year.
Utah’s Kyle Whittingham retired, then unretired, entered the portal to sign with Michigan. Not sure how that affects the Utes motivation but the running game is still too much for the Huskers. Utah ranks fifth in the FBS at 41.1 PPG. It has scored 33 or more points in eight of 12 games this year and 31 in two others. Nebraska closed the year by giving up 37 points to Penn State and 40 points to Nebraska.
Miami’s QB Carson Beck can be mistake prone and is facing an elite defense in Ohio State. The Bucknuts tend to go to their outstanding receiver corp when the playoff start. Finally, I trust Ryan Day of Mario Cristobal when it comes to clutch coaching decisions.
I went 2-1 last night to bring the season record to 32-31.
That should be enough to outscore a Michigan offense that has struggled all year.
Utah’s Kyle Whittingham retired, then unretired, entered the portal to sign with Michigan. Not sure how that affects the Utes motivation but the running game is still too much for the Huskers. Utah ranks fifth in the FBS at 41.1 PPG. It has scored 33 or more points in eight of 12 games this year and 31 in two others. Nebraska closed the year by giving up 37 points to Penn State and 40 points to Nebraska.
Miami’s QB Carson Beck can be mistake prone and is facing an elite defense in Ohio State. The Bucknuts tend to go to their outstanding receiver corp when the playoff start. Finally, I trust Ryan Day of Mario Cristobal when it comes to clutch coaching decisions.
I went 2-1 last night to bring the season record to 32-31.
