Iowa
Iowa vs. Iowa State, Oregon vs. Boise State picks: College football odds
What’s not to love about Oklahoma State’s offense?
With Doak Award-winning RB Ollie Gordon leading the attack behind an experienced offensive line (more than 200 career starts with seven seniors), the Pokes can move the ball consistently on the ground while setting up valuable play-action passes for ever-improving QB Alan Bowman (1,200-plus play-action passing yards in 2023).
While I have questions about OSU’s defense, it could improve with nine starters returning from last year’s unit.
Overall, the Pokes return 19 starters from last year’s Big 12 Championship runner-up roster, ranking first nationally in experience.
Conversely, Arkansas ranks 88th in experience.
I worry about the offensive line (62 career starts) and linebacking corps (lost all four starters from last season).
There are major depth concerns across the defense, and on offense, it’s uncertain how Boise State transfer QB Taylen Green will perform in the SEC after three years in the MWC.
I always want to bet more experienced teams against less experienced ones in September.
The former is generally more game-ready in non-conference play.
The Bowman-Gordon duo should roll over a questionable Razorback defense that ranked 74th in EPA per rush allowed last season.
The pick: Oklahoma State -10.
IOWA STATE (+2.5) over Iowa
I’m bullish on Iowa State. With 19 starters returning from last year’s roster that improved mightily after a slow start, I think the Cyclones could explode this year.
I love QB Rocco Becht, 2023’s Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
Two of his top three receivers from last year return alongside all five offensive line starters.
The Cyclones are strong and experienced in the secondary.
Though the Hawkeyes always field an elite defense, I’m not ready to believe that Tim Lester has suddenly fixed a hapless offense after a 40-0 victory against FCS Illinois State.
I don’t overreact to Week 1 FBS vs. FCS results, and I’m far from ready to buy in on QB1 Cade McNamara.
At the minimum, this should be a sloppy, lower-scoring game decided by one possession, and I’m willing to take the points in a points-at-a-premium battle.
Cyclone head coach Matt Campbell is 31-16 against the spread as an underdog of three or more points in his career.
The pick: Iowa State +2.5.
OREGON (-19.5) over Boise State
The Ducks looked awful against FCS Idaho (24-14 win) last week, but they dominated the boxscore, tripling the Vandals in first downs (31-10) and more than doubling them in total yards (487-217).
Oregon was unlucky with ill-timed penalties, skewing the final result.
Again, I don’t overreact to Week 1 FBS vs. FCS results, so I remain high on the Ducks as national title contenders.
While Boise State is among the favorites to represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff, I’ve downgraded the Broncos significantly after their performance against Georgia Southern.
Betting on College Football?
I had concerns about the defense, but it’s much worse than I imagined.
Georgia Southern dropped 45 points on 99 total plays, generating 0.30 EPA per rush (90th percentile) with 10 explosive plays (12 percent, 85th percentile).
What do you think Dan Lanning, Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks will do? They might drop 60.
Though superstar RB Ashton Jeanty obliterated Georgia Southern’s weak, undersized defensive line (school-record 269 yards and six touchdowns), he will be less effective against stiffer competition.
Oregon has talent and experience on defense, with nine returning starters from last year’s unit.
Lanning should key in on Jeanty, trying to force inexperienced QB Maddux Madsen into uncomfortable passing situations.
Last week: 1-2. Clemson (L), Syracuse (L), Hawaii (W)
2024 Season: 1-2.
Iowa
Groundbreaking held for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.
Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.
While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.
Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.
“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.
Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.
“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.
Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for May 8, 2026
The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.
Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Friday, May 8, 2026, winning numbers for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-5-8
Evening: 9-9-2
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-2-7-3
Evening: 0-7-0-6
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Iowa
Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid
IOWA — Iowa’s new restrictions on SNAP benefits are drawing concern from advocates who say the changes could make it harder for families to buy food and could put future summer assistance for children at risk.
The state’s SNAP waiver took effect January 1, 2026, limiting what items can be purchased based on Iowa’s taxable food list. While that includes widely discussed restrictions on soda and candy, the policy also affects certain prepared foods, creating confusion for shoppers.
“Something as small as whether or not a utensil is included in a food item actually impacts whether or not you can continue to purchase that item using your SNAP benefits,” Paige Chickering, Iowa State Manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said.
Advocates say the rules can be difficult to navigate, especially for people relying on quick meals. Items like prepackaged salads or sandwiches may or may not qualify depending on how they are packaged.
At the same time, new legislation slated for the next session at the statehouse could make those restrictions more permanent by requiring Iowa to continue seeking federal approval for the waiver.
That’s raising additional concerns about the future of Summer EBT, also known as “Sun Bucks,” which provides food assistance to children when school is out.
“This makes that food assistance dependent on a decision made in Washington, D.C. that is just arbitrary and not really dependent on the needs of Iowans and Iowa children,” Chickering said.
The program is expected to help around 220,000 children in Iowa during the summer months. Advocates worry leaving it up to federal approval of the waiver could jeopardize that support if policies change. They also point out that SNAP plays a major role in addressing hunger compared to other resources.
“We know that for every one meal provided by an emergency feeding organization, SNAP provides nine,” Chickering said.
Advocates say they support improving nutrition but argue there are more effective, evidence based ways to do that without limiting food choices.
For now, organizations across Iowa are working to help families understand the new rules, while also pushing lawmakers to reconsider how the policy could impact food access moving forward.
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