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Iowa vs Rutgers Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks

Big Ten football is here for both Iowa and Rudgers, as the rest of the games they have remaining are in conference play. Both teams are coming off of solid defensive games, which could be a precursor to their own low-scoring game.

In their previous game, the Hawkeyes (2-1) dominated Nevada 27-0 after nearly four hours of rain delays, but still flexed their defensive muscles to maintain the shutout. The Scarlet Knights (3-0) played a much more contested game, facing Temple, barely managing enough offense to win 16-14.

Gavin Wimsatt #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks to pass the ball
Mitchell Leff - Getty Images - AFP

Let’s check the latest NCAAF picks, stats, injury reports, and NCAAF odds for Iowa vs Rutgers. We’ve plenty of NCAAF predictions for you to consider.

Iowa’s Immovable Defense

Iowa’s offense could muster a total of 14 points through the first two games. It led to a win on opening day and a loss to in-state rival Iowa State.

The Hawkeyes won the first game of the season because of their defense, which allowed only a field goal. The Hawkeyes’ defense stood firm against the Cyclones, allowing 10 points, but could not get any help from the offense. The defense is tied for second nationally in the fewest points allowed per game and is one of four teams allowing under 200 yards per game.

Against Nevada, Iowa finally could put some points on the board as true freshman running back Kaleb Johnson broke free on two of his seven rushing attempts. He had a 40-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter and got loose again in the fourth for 55 yards and his second score. He totaled 103 yards on the ground, nearly all coming on those two plays.

Rutgers: Offensive Questions

Rutgers has had a revolving door at quarterback, which may be one of the biggest causes of the team’s struggles. After having to share snaps with Gavin Wimsatt, Evan Simon seems to have secured the starting spot. However, they are both just a stop-gap until Noah Vedral returns after missing the first three games with an undisclosed injury.

Even though Simon is the likely starter, he had a terrible performance against Temple that got him benched for Wimsatt until he suffered an injury. Simon finished the game with 52 passing yards on 15 attempts, but at least he didn’t turn the ball over to make his sta tline worse. The offense could only muster up 201 yards, mainly on the ground, and the only touchdown for the Scarlet Knights was off a pick-six.

After beating Boston College 22-21 with just 110 passing yards, Rutgers somehow found a way to score 66 points on Wagner. Nearly all of the offense has come from the three main running backs, Kyle Monangai, Al-Shadee Salaam, and Samuel Brown V, who each have two touchdowns.

Iowa vs Rutgers Injury Report

Iowa already has two players out for the season in wide receiver Jermari Harris and defensive back Diante Vines. Another wide receiver, Jackson Ritter, is questionable.

Rutgers has four players listed as questionable on the injury report, with two out for the season. Quarterbacks Vedral and Wimsatt are listed as questionable. They are the most notable names on the injury report.

Iowa vs Rutgers Head-to-Head

The Hawkeyes and the Scarlet Knights have each other faced twice, in 2016 and 2019. Iowa won each game, the most recent by a resounding 30-0.

Iowa vs Rutgers Game Information

  • Day/Time: Saturday, Sept. 24th, 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
  • Iowa vs Rutgers Live Stream: ESPN

Iowa vs Rutgers Betting Lines

Team Point Spread Moneyline Over/Under
Iowa -7½ -110 -290 34 -110o
Rutgers +7½ -110 +240 34 -110u

Iowa vs Rutgers Prediction

Both teams’ offenses have struggled, but Iowa at least seems to be trending in the right direction. The Hawkeyes saw the return of their top two wide receivers in Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini, along with running back Gavin Williams, in their last game. They didn’t have much effect in the previous game, but they should be ready to face Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights can’t find a steady hand at quarterback unless Vedral is healthy, and even if he is, it would be his first game back. With the offense struggling so badly, the one team you don’t want to face is a team with a dominant defense. Enter the Hawkeyes.

The total is interesting at just 34 points, but it could go on either side, but the more secure bet is Iowa to win and cover the spread.

Iowa vs Rutgers Edge

Iowa vs Rutgers Results

Iowa vs Rutgers Game Injuries

Iowa vs Rutgers Game Summary

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