Missouri vs Iowa Prediction 12-30-24 College Football Picks

In this article we will formulate a Missouri vs Iowa prediction for this College Football game on Monday, December 30th at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Let’s take a look at the prediction for the Music City Bowl.

Missouri Tigers Betting Preview

The Missouri Tigers are 9-3 (5-3) this season after they defeated Arkansas by a score of 28-21 in their last game. Missouri trailed 21-20 in the fourth quarter, but they scored with 1:53 left for the win. The Tigers were out gained by a total of 377-361, won the turnover battle 2-0, and went 6-15 on third down in the game. Brady Cook threw for 168 yards on 10 completions, while Marcus Carroll rushed for 90 yards and two scores in the win. 

Missouri also has wins over Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Auburn, UMass, Vanderbilt, Boston College, Buffalo, and Murray State, while losing to Texas A&M, Alabama, and South Carolina. The Missouri offense has scored 29.1 points per game with 219.9 passing yards and 170.8 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 20.1 points against per game this season. Brady Cook has completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,248 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Theo Wease Jr. has caught 55 passes for 809 yards and three scores this year. 

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 8-4 (6-3) this year after they defeated Nebraska by a score of 13-10 in their last game. Iowa trailed 10-0 at halftime, but they scored 13 points in the second half for the win. The Hawkeyes were out gained by a total of 334-164, won the turnover battle 2-0, and went 0-10 on third down in the game. Jackson Stratton threw for 115 yards and one touchdown, while Kaleb Johnson caught two passes for 73 yards and one score in the game. 

Iowa also has wins over Maryland, Northwestern, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Troy, and Illinois State, while losing to UCLA, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Iowa State. The Iowa offense has scored 28 points per game with 131.7 passing yards and 199.8 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 17.1 points against per game this season. Brendan Sullivan has completed 68.6% of his passes for 344 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Kamari Moulton has rushed for 377 yards and two scores this year. 

Why Missouri will beat Iowa

• Missouri has won each of its last 15 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Iowa has lost each of its last eight games against AP-ranked teams.
• Iowa has failed to cover the spread in each of its last nine games against AP-ranked teams.
• Missouri has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Missouri has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Missouri has won the first half in eight of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Iowa’s last nine games as an underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of Missouri’s last five games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Missouri ranks 3rd among FBS teams for 1st downs against this season (193).
• Missouri ranks 7th among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (32:49).
• Iowa ranks 3rd among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.6).
• Iowa ranks 3rd among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (19.3).

Missouri vs Iowa Prediction 

Missouri comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games and they are ranked #19 in the country. The Tigers had a slow start to the season, but they picked things up and finished strong, despite having some bad officiating in their loss to South Carolina. Iowa did have a better offensive attack this season, but they will be without Kaleb Johnson, who is one of the best running backs in the country. I think the Iowa offense is going to really struggle in this matchup and I expect Missouri to get a relatively easy win. Take the Tigers here.