After a long offseason and some less-than-thrilling non-conference victories, Big Ten play has finally arrived for the Iowa football team.
While a 2-1 start to the season has been somewhat disappointing, the Hawkeyes have a chance to change the narrative in conference play completely. There are some big conference games on the schedule for Iowa this year, but none of them will matter as much if the Hawkeyes don’t take care of business in their conference opener on Friday.
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Iowa will travel to Piscataway, New Jersey, to take on the 3-0 Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Led by head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers is off to a great start in 2025, led by an explosive offense and senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. This will be a huge test for Kirk Ferentz’s team and will tell fans a lot about just how good the 2025 Iowa Hawkeyes are.
But with the game on the horizon, it’s time to make some predictions. Who wins in the conference opener for both of these teams? Does Iowa pick up some confidence heading into a matchup with Indiana next weekend? Or does Rutgers defend home field and pick up a signature victory? Here are Hawkeyes Wire’s official predictions for Iowa vs Rutgers.
Iowa vs Rutgers official prediction
Sep 24, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz (right) talks with Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Riley Donald: Iowa 27, Rutgers 16. Iowa runs the ball well. Rutgers can’t stop the run. It’s simple, but it could tell the whole story. That said, Rutgers is better on offense. Iowa’s defense will bend, but not break, and finally create a turnover or two to set up short fields, which the offense capitalizes on. This game is close at half, but the Hawkeyes pull away in the second half in a nice, confidence-building showing.
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Scout Springgate: Iowa 27, Rutgers 17. The Hawkeyes should be in a good position on paper, given their strength on the running game and defensive standpoint.
If Tim Lester is able to effectively incorporate the slow mesh offensive scheme with a successful ground game attack, the ability to pass down the field should open up.
Defensively, Rutgers will certainly test the strength of the secondary, but the Hawkeyes’ pass rush will be able to cause disruption.
Josh Helmer: Iowa 20, Rutgers 17. This matchup looks like it sets up well for Iowa on paper. The Hawkeyes are expecting the return of sophomore running back Kamari Moulton, and Rutgers allows almost 150 rushing yards per game and ranks 90th in that category. Iowa owns the all-time series 4-0, and that dominance of Rutgers continues on Friday night thanks to the Hawkeyes’ ability to run the football and a strong defensive showing in Piscataway.
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Zach Hiney: Iowa 24, Rutgers 17. Before the season started, many fans pointed to this game as a trap game for Iowa. A road trip to the East Coast on a short week to face a feisty Rutgers team, with Indiana looming the following week, is the definition of a trap game. But I don’t think this game is a trap game. Rutgers is playing some good football right now, albeit against some inferior opponents, and Iowa is still trying to find its identity.
The Hawkeyes have some big concerns currently. Can the passing game be competent against a Big Ten team on the road? Can the defense force a turnover? Can the special teams play a clean game? I think those questions will be answered on Friday. While Rutgers’ offense has certainly been explosive, its defense has been leaky. The Scarlet Knights have struggled to defend the run this year, and Iowa runs the ball very well. That bodes well for the Hawkeyes.
Expect Rutgers to come out aggressively early and take a lead in front of a raucous home crowd. But I think Iowa will settle in, Mark Gronowski will make a few throws, the defense will finally force a turnover, and Iowa will do what it always does. Beat Rutgers.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football vs. Rutgers: Who wins? Final score predictions
