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The Iowa Hawkeyes have done what very few expected: they’ve taken on two ranked opponents in the first two weeks of the college football season and they’ve blown each out of the water. That’s been due in large part to the epitome of Kirk Ferentz’s boa constrictor dream of pinning opposing offenses inside their own 20 and suffocating them with one of the best defenses in the nation.
Through two games, the Iowa defense has scored three touchdowns while creating seven turnovers. They’ve given up but two touchdowns and a total of 23 points while the offense has done just enough to not spoil things.
Week three brings a new set of challenges as the Kent State Golden Flashes come to Kinnick Stadium boasting experience at QB and an offense capable of scoring in bunches.
Here’s an early look at this week’s matchup.
Date: Saturday, September 18th
Time: 2:30pm CT
Matchup: Kent State Golden Flashes (1-1, 0-0) at #5 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0, 1-0)
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
TV: BTN
Preliminary Weather Forecast: mostly sunny with a high of 87, 25% chance of rain
Opening Line: Iowa -21, O/U 57.5
*Note the above odds table is dynamic and updates in real time. You can also click any listed lines to be redirected to that particular sports book. Please bet responsibly.*
History
The history between Iowa and Kent State is limited. The Golden Flashes have never hosted the Hawkeyes and have only been to Iowa City twice in program history. Iowa has won both previous meetings.
In the inaugural affair back in 2001, Iowa took home a decisive 51-0 win. Things were a bit tighter in 2004 during the only other meeting between these two teams as Iowa won just 39-7.
In the third meeting between these two teams, the Golden Flashes will look to score just their second time in the series. That will be easier said than done against this stingy Iowa defense. Kent State comes in fresh off a 60-10 thrashing of VMI. The Golden Flashes were less fortunate in their season opener at then-#6 Texas A&M where they fell 41-10.