2011 Insight Bowl: Oklahoma Vs. Iowa – Preview, Prediction, and Pick Against the Spread

The Oklahoma Sooners and Iowa Hawkeyes meet up in Tempe, Arizona for the 2011 Insight Bowl. The Insight Bowl is one of two bowl games to feature a matchup of the Big Ten and Big 12. The other game comes one day later when Texas A&M plays Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Oklahoma started the season 6-0 but finished with an overall record of 9-3. All three of the Sooners losses came in conference play this season. Oklahoma heads into the Insight Bowl as the #14 team in the country. The Iowa Hawkeyes went 4-4 in the Big Ten and 7-5 overall. The Hawkeyes lost to Minnesota, a team that finished 3-9, but beat Michigan, a team that went 10-2. Which Iowa Hawkeyes team will show up for the Insight Bowl?

When Iowa is on Offense

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense ranked 53rd in the country scoring 28.7 points per game. Quarterback James Vandenberg threw for 2806 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. His favorite target was 6’4″ receiver Marvin McNutt who hauled in 78 passes for 1269 yards. Sophomore running back Marcus Coker is a beast at 6’1″ and 230 lbs. Coker ran for 1384 yards this season but will miss the Insight Bowl for “disciplinary reasons.” The Hawkeyes’ second leading rusher this season was freshman De’Andre Johnson who had 18 carries for 79 yards.

The Sooners’ defense gave up an average of 22.8 points per game this season. Oklahoma catches a big break with Marcus Coker not playing for Iowa. The Sooners’ defense ranked 10th in the country with 37 sacks this season.

When Oklahoma is on Offense

The Sooners’ offense was prolific this season. Led by quarterback Landry Jones, Oklahoma had the 10th best offense in the country at 40.3 points per game. Jones went over 4,000 yard passing for the second year in a row and has 12,218 yards passing in his career. Jones had 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in the first 9 games, but threw 0 touchdowns and 5 picks in the final three games of the season. Jones favorite target, Ryan Broyles, missed the last three games due to injury. Dominique Whaley and Roy Finch both ran well when called upon averaging 5.5 and 5.7 yards per carry respectively.

Iowa’s defense gave up an average of 23.3 points per game this season. They will have their hands full with Landry Jones and the Sooners’ passing attack. The Iowa defense only had 20 sacks and 9 interceptions this season. They will need to create more of a pass rush against Jones and the Sooners.

2011 Insight Bowl Pick Against the Spread

The Oklahoma Sooners are currently 13.5 point favorites over the Hawkeyes in the Insight Bowl. I realize that is a lot of points to cover, but I think the Sooners will do it. Iowa is not going to be able to stop the Sooners from scoring and the Hawkeyes are without their best player, Marcus Coker. Even with a big spread I will take Oklahoma to win and cover.

2011 Insight Bowl Prediction

Oklahoma – 45
Iowa – 27

Source

espn.go.com/college-football/bowls


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