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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 01: Tyler Goodson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with the ball in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 01, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. Greg Fiume/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Greg Fiume / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The Iowa Hawkeyes have quickly fallen from grace after two straight losses. They're looking to get back on track against the struggling Northwestern Wildcats in Week 10.

The Iowa Hawkeyes were third in the nation not long ago and gunning for a Big Ten championship appearance. They've lost two straight games by a combined 51-14 score, and the school now must win out to maintain its shot to reach the Rose Bowl. Luckily for Iowa, Northwestern isn't much of a foe.

The Wildcats have performed poorly outside of wins over Ohio and Rutgers, and they clearly lack the playmakers to compete in the conference. Discipline and effort are their best assets.

Here are my picks and predictions for the college football Week 10 matchup between the Hawkeyes and Wildcats (odds via BetMGM, and pick confidence is based on a one-to-five star scale).

Iowa vs. Northwestern Game Info

Date/Time: November 6, 2021 at 7 p.m. ETTV: Big Ten NetworkLocation: Ryan Field, Evanston, ILWeather: Partially cloudy, 51 degrees at kickoff, 7% chance of rain

Iowa vs. Northwestern Odds Analysis

This line opened at 13, but it's since dropped to 12 in favor of Iowa. It's a strange move considering the Wildcats' poor play, and where Iowa was sitting two weeks ago. The Wildcats have suffered a double-digit defeat in all but one of their losses.

Iowa vs. Northwestern Betting Picks

Iowa -12 (-110) ?????Over 40.5 (-110) ???

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Iowa vs. Northwestern Predictions

Iowa -12 (-110)

The Hawkeyes began the season in dominant fashion, with their first single-digit win not coming until a clash with a solid Penn State team in Week 6. The key to their success was limiting the opposition's passing, as only Iowa State has accumulated 185-plus yards through the air against the Hawkeyes.

Iowa's pass defense remains impressive, and the squad's run defense has only faltered once against Wisconsin. Northwestern has surpassed 400 yards passing on four occasions this campaign, and over 256 yards as many times. But the Wildcats' defense has given it all right back in those contests.

The Hawkeyes possess the talent to stumble in this matchup and still win comfortably.

Over 40.5

Both of these teams have produced some big offensive explosions. Iowa usually hovers around the 40-point mark when facing lesser opponents, but the Hawkeyes have gone Over against the majority of Big Ten foes. That matters, as Iowa is trying harder against conference opponents for the whole game, and there's a possibility of some cheap scores late against the Hawkeyes.

This game will play out like Iowa's 34-6 destruction of Indiana, except Northwestern's rushing attack will be more successful. With a final score close to 28-14, the Over is a solid play.

SEE ALSO: Week 10 Opening Lines and Picks

Picks made 11/2/2021 at 10:21 p.m. ET