Iowa vs. Kentucky Transperfect Music City Bowl Prediction: Picks & Start Time – December 31, 2022

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The Iowa Hawkeyes will meet the Kentucky Wildcats in the Transperfect Music City Bowl.

Iowa vs. Kentucky Odds

Point Spread

The spread for this matchup is set at 3 points, with oddsmakers listing Iowa as the favorites.

Moneyline

As for the moneyline, Iowa has -158 odds to pick up the win, while Kentucky is listed at +131 to claim victory.

Over/Under

Finally, the total for the game is set at 31 points.

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Game Info

How to Watch Iowa vs. Kentucky Live?

  • Game Day: Saturday, December 31, 2022
  • Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Stadium: Nissan Stadium

Betting Preview

Iowa

Iowa has struggled offensively, ranking second-worst in the FBS (255.4 yards per game) this season. However, the defense ranks fourth-best in the nation, allowing only 277.9 yards per game. Iowa owns the sixth-best defense this season in terms of points allowed (14.4 points allowed per game), but rank ninth-worst offensively (17.4 points per game). Iowa has struggled in the passing game, ranking 10th-worst in the FBS (158.2 passing yards per game) this season. However, the defense ranks ninth-best on the other side of the ball, surrendering just 173.8 passing yards per game. Iowa has struggled in the running game, ranking 11th-worst in the FBS (97.3 rushing yards per game) this season. However, the defense ranks 13th-best, allowing just 104.1 rushing yards per game. Iowa has the 20th-best third-down defense this season (32.5% third-down conversion rate allowed), but ranks ninth-worst on offense (29.7% third-down conversion rate). Iowa has the 29th-ranked turnover margin in college football at +5, forcing 21 turnovers (18th in the FBS) while turning it over 16 times (51st in the FBS).

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Kentucky

Kentucky ranks 105th in the FBS with 336.3 total yards per contest, but it has been led by its defense, which ranks 16th-best by surrendering only 320.2 total yards per game. Kentucky has been excelling on the defensive side of the ball, giving up only 19.1 points per game (11th-best). Offensively, it ranks 105th by posting 22.1 points per game. Kentucky’s pass defense has been leading the charge for the team, as it ranks eighth-best in the FBS with 173.4 passing yards surrendered per contest. In terms of offense, it is putting up 216.1 passing yards per game, which ranks 86th. Kentucky is compiling 120.3 rushing yards per contest on offense this season (105th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 146.8 rushing yards per game (61st-ranked) on defense. With a 37.1% third-down conversion percentage on offense, Kentucky ranks 85th in the FBS. Defensively, it ranks 44th, surrendering a 35.6% third-down rate. At -1, Kentucky has the 100th-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with 15 forced turnovers (78th in the FBS) and 16 turnovers committed (51st in the FBS).

Iowa vs. Kentucky Betting Analysis

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Iowa Betting Insights

Iowa has covered the spread seven times over 12 games with a set spread. Iowa is 3-3 ATS when playing as at least 3-point favorites. Iowa games have finished with a final combined score above the over/under four times this season. The Hawkeyes have won five of the seven games they were the moneyline favorite this season (71.4%). The Hawkeyes are 2-1 (winning 66.7% of their games) when they have played as a moneyline favorite of -158 or shorter.

Wildcats Betting Insights

Kentucky is 8-4-0 against the spread this year. Kentucky is 4-1 ATS when playing as at least 3-point underdogs. Games involving Kentucky has hit the over once this season. This season, the Wildcats have been the underdog six times and won three of those games. The Wildcats have a record of 2-3 when they’re set as an underdog of +131 or more by oddsmakers this season.

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Iowa vs. Kentucky Against The Spread & Betting Records

Iowa

Overall Home Away
Point Total AVG 38.7 39.0 38.3
Implied Total AVG 24.4 24.7 24.0
ATS Record 7-5-0 3-4-0 4-1-0
Over/Under Record 4-8-0 2-5-0 2-3-0
Moneyline Favorite Record 5-2 4-2 1-0
Moneyline Underdog Record 2-3 0-1 2-2

Wildcats

Overall Home Away
Point Total AVG 49.9 48.6 52.5
Implied Total AVG 31.0 32.0 29.0
ATS Record 8-4-0 5-3-0 3-1-0
Over/Under Record 1-11-0 1-7-0 0-4-0
Moneyline Favorite Record 4-2 4-2 0-0
Moneyline Underdog Record 3-3 1-1 2-2

Players to Watch

Iowa

  • As part of the Hawkeyes’ defensive unit, Cooper DeJean has compiled 66 tackles, two TFL, and four interceptions in 12 games.
  • The Hawkeyes’ defensive unit has been helped by Seth Benson, who has suited up for 11 games and compiled one sack to go with three TFL, 101 tackles, and one interception.
  • As part of the Hawkeyes’ defense, Jack Campbell has delivered two interceptions to go along with 105 tackles and one pass defended in 11 games.
  • Quinn Schulte, as part of the Hawkeyes’ defensive unit, has delivered 63 tackles and one interception in 11 games.

Wildcats

  • As a tone-setter on defense, the Wildcats’ Jordan Wright has registered 54 tackles, five TFL, one sack, and one interception in 10 games.
  • The Wildcats’ Trevin Wallace has collected two sacks to go with six TFL, 46 tackles, and two interceptions in 10 games.
  • In 11 games for the Wildcats, Jordan Lovett has collected 56 tackles, one TFL, and two interceptions.
  • The Wildcats’ Keidron Smith has totaled 43 tackles, one TFL, and two interceptions in 11 games.

Iowa vs. Kentucky Predictions and Pick

Iowa vs. Kentucky betting card

    Pick ATS:

    Wildcats (+3)

    Pick OU:

    Over (31)

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How to Bet on Iowa vs. Kentucky

You can bet on Iowa vs. Kentucky at every legal online sportsbook. For more college football odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as college football prop odds, check out the latest college football lines as well as our guide to the best college football betting sites.

And if you wanted to check out how much you could win on a $10 bet if you parlayed today’s Iowa vs. Kentucky picks, don’t forget to check out our free parlay calculator.

Not sure what a parlay is? Or even how to bet on college football? Check out our complete guide to sports betting.

Our pick to win this game is Iowa, and we project that Kentucky will cover the spread (Iowa -3). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 31 points.

WRITTEN BY

Matt Rooney

Matt comes from Chicago and has lived in the area his whole life. Graduated from and played football at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL while also serving as the director of student sports broadcasting. He writes for Betsperts as well as appears on several shows across the network.

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