Two Big Ten teams seeking some consistency will look to get some at the expense of the other on Monday night. 

Iowa travels to Columbus to face Ohio State on Monday night in league play as the Buckeyes enter as substantial favorites. However, Iowa’s offense has proven formidable even against sturdy competition for much of Big Ten play thus far. Will it hold up on the road? 

Let’s find out with our betting preview! 

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 156.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Iowa

Owen Freeman: The big man has stepped up in a big way for the Hawkeyes, fresh off a 16-point, nine rebound effort in a one point win against Penn State. The Hawkeyes offense is reliant on high octane shooting from all over the floor, but its Freeman’s elite play around the rim that has played a big role in Iowa ranking third in effective field goal percentage. 

Ohio State

Bruce Thornton: Thornton continues to stuff the stat sheet for the Buckeyes, scoring 11 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out five assists in the stunning second half rally against Purdue. Can Thornton continue to dictate the pace on offense and guide Ohio State to another win? 

While Ohio State deserves credit for beating Purdue in a monster second half rally, I’m not going to look past what this team has put on paper of late, including losing four of five prior to that win with its lone win involving a double overtime win at basement dweller Minnesota. 

The Buckeyes offense has struggled in Big Ten play, ranking 13th in effective field goal percentage while turning it over at a bottom two rate (20%). While Iowa’s defense has been incredibly poor, the team does generate turnovers at an above average rate that could steal possessions in what should be a high scoring affair. 

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes defense has been fairly fortunate all season, allowing .08 points per possession fewer than expected, per ShotQuality. With Iowa’s explosive offense that is third in effective field goal percentage, that’s a recipe for disaster. 

Further, can we trust Ohio State to win with margin? The team beat Rutgers by 14 back in December, but it’s two other Big Ten wins have come by one at Minnesota and three at Purdue. 

Now, Iowa had a nightmare road trip out west, losing to USC by 19 and UCLA by 24, but the team also nearly stunned Michigan on the road in Big Ten play, losing by two on the road. 

I don’t trust Ohio State to win big like this against an elite offense, I’ll take the points. 

PICK: Iowa +7.5

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The Iowa Hawkeyes have a few players who will be selected throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. While the biggest name of the bunch is standout running back Kaleb Johnson, there is another intriguing name to keep an eye on.

Jay Higgins, the team’s star linebacker, will also be selected at some point in the draft.

Arguably one of the most underrated linebackers in the 2025 draft class, Higgins put together a very strong college career at Iowa. He has been projected to end up being selected anywhere from the third to the fifth round.

Being selected in any round lower than the third round would make him a major steal.

That being said, a new projection has been made for where Higgins will end up.

Scott Salomon of Pro Football Network has predicted that the Los Angeles Rams will end up taking Higgins with the No. 98 overall pick.

Landing with the Rams would be a great opportunity for him. Los Angeles needs help at the linebacker position and he could come in and earn playing time right off the bat.

Throughout the course of the 2024 season with the Hawkeyes, Higgins ended up totaling 124 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, and five defended passes.

In his entire Iowa career, Higgins produced massive numbers. He racked up 341 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, five interceptions, and nine defended passes.

While there are some concerns about his athleticism and ability to translate to the NFL, his production speaks for itself. Sometimes, teams have to look past the tape and focus on how a player plays on the field. That is how Higgins should be looked at.

Hopefully, Higgins is able to land with a good team and earn playing time early on. He is one of the best defensive players that the Hawkeyes have had in recent years and fans will continue rooting him on at the next level.

Associated Press

Iowa State Cyclones (17-2, 8-1 Big 12) at Arizona Wildcats (13-6, 7-2 Big 12)

Tucson, Arizona; Monday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: No. 3 Iowa State visits Arizona after Curtis Jones scored 33 points in Iowa State’s 76-61 victory against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The Wildcats are 9-1 in home games. Arizona leads the Big 12 in rebounding, averaging 36.6 boards. Tobe Awaka leads the Wildcats with 7.8 rebounds.

The Cyclones have gone 8-1 against Big 12 opponents. Iowa State ranks sixth in the Big 12 shooting 35.0% from 3-point range.

Arizona’s average of 6.9 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.7 fewer made shots on average than the 7.6 per game Iowa State gives up. Iowa State scores 15.7 more points per game (84.6) than Arizona allows to opponents (68.9).

The Wildcats and Cyclones meet Monday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Awaka is averaging 7.4 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Caleb Love is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Jones is averaging 18.6 points for the Cyclones. Keshon Gilbert is averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wildcats: 9-1, averaging 82.0 points, 34.7 rebounds, 18.3 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.0 points per game.

Cyclones: 9-1, averaging 81.7 points, 35.0 rebounds, 14.5 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.5 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.