Iowa vs Rutgers Prediction 9/19/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

Iowa and Rutgers meet Saturday in Week 4 college football action from SHI Stadium. Here’s an Iowa vs Rutgers prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Iowa Hawkeyes vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights pick. We will examine:

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ recent form and player performance

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Hawkeyes

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Scarlet Knights

Recent betting trends in games played between Iowa and Rutgers

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Iowa vs Rutgers game.

Can Iowa Build on Last Game?

Iowa hadn’t looked very good in the first two games, but they hope they can build on the last game. Against UMass in the last game, Iowa was up 20-7 at the end of the first quarter, and they never looked back on the way to the 47-7 victory. Iowa finished the game with 435 total yards, and he threw for 234 passing yards. Mark Gronowski completed 16 of his 24 passes for 179 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Gronowski hasn’t been as good as Iowa fans hoped, but he should have plenty of confidence heading into this game after finding success against UMass. 

Iowa on the season is averaging 31.33 points while their defense is giving up 10 points per game. The offense is ranked 63rd while the defense is ranked 14th. Xavier Williams and Jazuin Patterson have both rushed for at least 160 yards. In this game, the Iowa offense is going to need to be impressive again. 

Rutgers has looked Impressive

Rutgers almost lost to Ohio in the first game, but since that game they have looked quite impressive. Rutgers beat Miami-Ohio 45-17 and in the last game against Norfolk State, they came out ahead 60-10. Athan Kaliakmanis completed 18 of his 26 passes for 309 yards and a touchdown. If he can be accurate, this can be a strong season for Rutgers. Antwan Raymond finished with 16 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns. KJ Duff also caught six passes for 119 yards. 

Rutgers on the season is averaging 46.33 points while their defense is giving up 19.33 points per game. The offense is ranked 13th, but life is going to be a whole lot tougher here. This game is going to come down to how good Kaliakamins is and how accurate he is. They really need him to not turn the ball over. 

Matchup/League Facts

• Rutgers ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Rutgers has won the second quarter in each of its last eight games – longest active streak in the FBS.
• Iowa ranks 3rd among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (178.0).
• Iowa ranks 6th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (57.7).

Iowa vs Rutgers Prediction

Iowa and Rutgers are going to be involved in a bad offensive game, here, and the only way to bet this game is with the home team. Kaliakmanis has impressed me in his last couple of games, and he’s going to have another strong game here. Gronowski looked better the last game, but I am still not sold on him being good the rest of the season against Big Ten competition. Iowa’s defense will be good, but the lack of scoring by the Hawkeyes is going to be the difference here as Rutgers is going to get the job done. I don’t hate Rutgers on the money line, but I will take the points just to be safe. Back Rutgers against the spread.

Shane Mickle's Pick: Rutgers +2.5