#15 Iowa Hawkeyes vs #22 Kentucky Wildcats 2022 Citrus Bowl
Our Iowa vs Kentucky prediction is for the 2022 Vrbo Citrus Bowl which will be played on Saturday, January 1. The #15 Iowa Hawkeyes (10-3) recorded seven Big Ten wins and two losses. They finished first in the West, winning their last four regular-season games. The Hawkeyes met Michigan in the Big Ten title game, losing 3-42. In the SEC East, the #22 Kentucky Wildcats (9-3) went 5-3. That was good enough for second place. The Cats finished the season by winning their last three games.
Citrus Bowl Spread and Totals Odds
We have underdog Iowa at +2.5 (-105). On the other end, Kentucky is favored at -2.5 (-115). The total comes in at 44.0. The over is -100 and under -121. The 2022 Vrbo Citrus Bowl will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm ET. ABC will broadcast the game.
Hawkeyes vs Wildcats Pick - Stats
In our Iowa vs Kentucky prediction, the Cats are out scoring the Hawkeyes 33.3-to-23.9. In offensive yards, Kentucky is out gaining Iowa 431.1-to-297.5 YPG. The Wildcats’ passing yards are better by close to 50 YPG (225.0-177.7). Also, Kentucky is compiling 206.1 rushing YPG while Iowa is averaging 119.8 YPG.
On defense, the Hawkeyes are allowing 19.2 PPG, while Kentucky is giving up 22.1. In terms of passing yards allowed, Iowa edges Kentucky 213.1-to-219.3 YPG. The same is true regarding ground yards, as the Hawkeyes are allowing a tad less (113.8-to-117.8 YPG). OSU has recorded an impressive 55 sacks. The Irish have a healthy 40 sacks as well as three pick sixes. Iowa has made 24 picks while Kentucky has accumulated just six. However, both have recorded three pick sixes.
Iowa vs Kentucky Prediction - Key Players
Hawkeyes running back Tyler Goodson has declared for the draft and will skip the Citrus Bowl. The Iowa secondary will miss cornerback Matt Hankins, as he’s out due to injury. Meanwhile, backup Terry Roberts isn’t on the depth chart. Spencer Petras (1,669 YDs, 56.6 COMP%, 9 TDs, 6 INTs, 24 SCKs) starts at quarterback. Tight end Sam LaPorta (46 REC, 546 YDs, 11.9 AVG, 2 TDs) leads what is a thin receiving group. The Iowa rush attack is greatly diminished with Goodson opting out.
Kentucky will be without wide receivers Josh Ali and Isaiah Epps, as they were involved in a car accident. However, star wideout Wan'Dale Robinson (1,164 YDs, 12.4 AVG, 7 TDs), as well as WR Izayah Cummings (3 TDs) and tight end Justin Rigg (4 TDs), will start. QB Will Levis (2,593 YDs, 66.5 COMP%, 23 TDs, 12 INTs, 16 SCKs) is solid in the pocket. Plus, he averaged 4.2 YP rush and scored nine TDs on the ground. RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (1,272 YDs, 6.2 AVG, 8 TDs) leads an effective rush attack.
Iowa vs Kentucky Prediction
Our Iowa vs Kentucky prediction for the Vrbo Citrus Bowl envisions the Wildcats taking down the Hawkeyes. Still, Cat quarterback Levis must negotiate a very tough pass defense. In the end, we think Kentucky wins this one 23-17. Thus, we are taking the Wildcats at -2.5 (-115) and the under at 44.0 (-122).
Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first two weeks, we went 22-10 (69%).
2022 Citrus Bowl - Iowa vs Kentucky Summary
Spread - Kentucky -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under - Under 44.0 (-122)
