For what it is worth, most of the power rankings I tend to follow have Iowa favored over Iowa State by 3.75 to 4.5 points, which is pretty much exactly what the Vegas line is.
That really shouldn't surprise people if you think about it. Understanding that Vegas sets the line based on a balanced betting line, this early in the year the power rankings are about the only reference information for Vegas and the gamblers to have.
So what other line should anyone expect?
Now the question is why do the power rankings have Iowa allegedly better than Iowa State by seven points, especially when the results of last week's games were so even? And for that matter, when we have won the last two games?
Let me suggest that it is based on where each team finished last year, and that last week's games boosted both teams evenly. Thus, both teams moved up, but the disparity remains the same.
This is where it is worth referencing my post about Iowa State last year, whereby ISU's performance over the last five games was ridiculously lower than the first seven games.
If you put the UNI performance into context of the first seven games of last year, it shows improvement over last year, but certainly not out of context. At least not when compared to Iowa State's total season ending ratings.
(In my opinion.)
That really shouldn't surprise people if you think about it. Understanding that Vegas sets the line based on a balanced betting line, this early in the year the power rankings are about the only reference information for Vegas and the gamblers to have.
So what other line should anyone expect?
Now the question is why do the power rankings have Iowa allegedly better than Iowa State by seven points, especially when the results of last week's games were so even? And for that matter, when we have won the last two games?
Let me suggest that it is based on where each team finished last year, and that last week's games boosted both teams evenly. Thus, both teams moved up, but the disparity remains the same.
This is where it is worth referencing my post about Iowa State last year, whereby ISU's performance over the last five games was ridiculously lower than the first seven games.
If you put the UNI performance into context of the first seven games of last year, it shows improvement over last year, but certainly not out of context. At least not when compared to Iowa State's total season ending ratings.
(In my opinion.)
