The year is winding down, and that means just a couple more days to pad the 2024 records. Let’s get a bet on the board today as we dive into bowl season action! I have a FREE Iowa-Missouri CFB pick for you, and check out OddsShopper for more expert CFB picks and best bets, college football betting advice, and +EV college football bets.
Free College Football Expert Pick Today: Iowa-Missouri
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Free CFB Expert Pick: Missouri -2.5
Bowl games are always tricky. Teams aren’t at full strength, and roster changes can make things unpredictable. But this matchup is slightly different. Both Missouri and Iowa are missing key players, but Missouri’s depth and defensive edge stand out.
Missouri has been hit with some important losses: Luther Burden, its elite wide receiver, is prepping for the NFL, and its starting right tackle is also out. Those are significant absences. However, beyond that, Missouri is in decent shape. Brady Cook is still under center, the defense looks intact and the team is in position to finish with double-digit wins.
Looking back at its season, Missouri held its own in the SEC, dropping games only to powerhouses like Alabama and Texas A&M. This is a battle-tested squad, and it matches up well against Iowa’s style of play.
Iowa, on the other hand, thrives in ugly, low-scoring games. Its offense, though, is a major concern. Kaleb Johnson, the centerpiece of its attack, is also preparing for the NFL and won’t play. Without him, I don’t see how Iowa moves the ball effectively against Missouri’s defense.
Iowa’s passing game has been a question mark all season, and without its top running back, it will rely on unproven options. Even against weaker competition, this offense has struggled to produce. Missouri’s SEC-level defense will make it tough for the Hawkeyes to turn that around.
This should be a low-scoring game, but Missouri’s defense and Cook’s leadership give it the edge. Even without Burden, Missouri has enough firepower to cover the 2.5-point spread. Iowa simply doesn’t have the offensive answers to keep up, especially with its limited options.
Best Iowa-Missouri Bet: Missouri -2.5 (-115, DraftKings)
