Iowa Hawkeyes vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, Odds and Picks for Friday, 09/19/25

We have B1G Friday football as the Iowa Hawkeyes head to the state university of New Jersey to play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The conference isn’t going to throw its top tier teams out there on Fridays, but Iowa and Rutgers are both two middle-of-the-pack teams that should be on track for bowl games, and a game like this sometimes makes a huge difference in the final standings. I think this game is a suspicious spot where Vegas is trying to trap us, knowing that -2.5 dares us to take the favorite by a field goal, and I think they expect the majority of the public bettors to back Iowa on name recognition alone. (And probably the under also, because, well, it’s Iowa.) But I think the Scarlet Knights are a stronger team right now, and I am going to take the points with Rutgers.

Rutgers has a more talented roster than you would expect, and maybe the best that Greg Shiano has had there. The offensive line is veteran and good, and they have an experienced QB in Athan Kaliakmanis who can lead this team. The defense was a liability last year, as Rutgers lost multiple games in which they scored 30+ points, but they loaded up in the offseason to try to shore up that defense. Friday will be the first test to see where they really are. As for Iowa, they were supposed to have solved their perpetual and eternal offensive woes when they acquired South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski. He has been fine against the cupcakes, but he was dreadful against Iowa State, and that will probably push Iowa right back to being a run-and-punt offense. I think Iowa is still classic Iowa, but Rutgers might just have the firepower to pull off the upset, especially at home. I’ll take Rutgers +2.5.

Iowa vs Rutgers Prediction: Rutgers +2.5 (-105) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.