Iowa vs. Rutgers Odds, Picks: Expect Another Low-Scoring Game Involving Hawkeyes

Iowa vs. Rutgers Odds

Saturday, Sept 24

7 p.m. ET

FS1

Iowa Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-8 -110	34 -110o / -110u	-330

Rutgers Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+8 -110	34 -110o / -110u	+265

Odds via Bet365. Get up-to-the-minute college football odds here.

Rutgers has plenty of motivation in this matchup as it welcomes in the Iowa Hawkeyes to kick off Big Ten play.

Head coach Greg Schiano has his squad off to a 3-0 start, including a 66-7 domination over Wagner. The Scarlet Knights' other two matchups were won by a combined three points against Boston College and Temple.

The program seeks its first 4-0 start since 2012 in its attempt to win its first-ever game against the Hawkeyes. The Scarlet Knights have lost 19 straight Big Ten home games, though — which is the longest streak in conference history. 

Iowa is off to a rocky 2-1 start on the season that has been highlighted by defensive battles.

The Hawkeyes snuck past South Dakota State, 7-3, before suffering a 10-7 loss to rival Iowa State. They bounced back with a 27-0 shutout victory over Nevada that was highlighted by weather delays.

Where the offense will come from in this matchup is a big question mark. Fans could be in store for another final score that looks more like a baseball game than football. 

Iowa Hawkeyes

Kirk Ferentz has the program looking like its peak Iowa self through three games.

Iowa boasts one of the top defenses in the nation that has held its opponents to 194 total yards per game. The defense is undoubtedly the backbone of the program, as it has allowed only one touchdown and 2.9 yards per play through three games.

The group is allowing an astonishing 2.1 yards per carry and only 3.8 yards per pass attempt.

To appropriately articulate how dominant this defense is I dove into the 40 drives it's been on the field for.

Of those 40 drives, the Hawkeyes have allowed the opponent to score on only three occasions (8%), resulting in 13 total points. They’ve come away with six turnovers and two safeties while forcing 29 punts. 37 of the 40 drives have resulted in a punt, forced turnover or a safety.

But for as good as the defense is, the offensive scheme and conservative coaching style of Ferentz often raises blood pressure among the Hawkeye faithful.

The offense is averaging only 217 yards of offense while mustering up 3.8 yards per play.

Quarterback Spencer Petras is completing less than 50% of his throws while averaging less than five yards per pass attempt. He’s thrown one touchdown pass on the season while completing two passes to the opposition.

The Iowa offense ranks outside the top-120 nationally in nearly every advanced metric such as Success Rate, Finishing Drives, Line Yards and Pass Blocking. 

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Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers has opened the season with three victories and hopes to carry that momentum into Big Ten play.

The defense has led the way, holding its opponents to 16 points per game.

The offense has major question marks entering this matchup, as both quarterbacks Gavin Wimsatt and Noah Vedral are game-time decisions.

Wimsatt has split time with sophomore quarterback Simon Evan in the first three games this season. The two have combined to average under 125 passing yards per game and two interceptions to three touchdowns.

That isn’t a major concern, as Schiano utilizes a run-heavy scheme that ranks seventh nationally in Rush Rate. 68% of the offensive plays are runs, and the group averages five yards a carry.

But that attack won’t work against a stout Iowa defensive front. And with no viable quarterback options, it could be a long day for the Rutgers offense.

Defensively, the group has also shut down the run, holding opponents to just 1.1 yards per attempt. The front seven ranks fifth in the nation in Line Yards and 24th in Rushing Success Rate.

Even if Iowa can’t run the ball successfully, you know that Ferentz is going to continue to try. 

Iowa vs. Rutgers Matchup Analysis

Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Iowa and Rutgers match up statistically:

Iowa Offense vs. Rutgers Defense

	Offense	Defense	Edge
Rush Success	128	16
Line Yards	123	5
Pass Success	129	40
Pass Blocking**	120	47
Havoc	92	16
Finishing Drives	128	45
** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.)

Rutgers Offense vs. Iowa Defense

	Offense	Defense	Edge
Rush Success	33	26
Line Yards	25	8
Pass Success	92	10
Pass Blocking**	83	32
Havoc	78	20
Finishing Drives	76	12
** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.)

Pace of Play / Other

PFF Tackling	6	3
PFF Coverage	4	37
SP+ Special Teams	30	19
Seconds per Play	28.2 (100)	28.8 (109)
Rush Rate	55.2% (58)	68.2% (7)

Data via CollegeFootballData.com (CFBD), FootballOutsiders, SP+, Pro Football Focus and SportSource Analytics.

Iowa vs. Rutgers Betting Pick

Sportsbooks aren’t messing around with this game. They opened the total at 35, which is the lowest total in any FBS game in the last six years.

And they still aren’t scaring me off.

Iowa has dictated the playing style in each of its first three games and will do so again Saturday night. The Hawkeyes have totaled 54 points through their first three games, an average of 18 points per contest.

Both defenses own a dominant advantage over the opposing offenses. Each rank among the top six in the country in Tackling, perPFF. And both putrid offenses play at a snail’s pace, ranking outside the top 100 in Seconds Per Play.

Schiano and Ferentz are two of the most conservative coaches in the country, who will both settle with a defensive battle while trusting their defenses. 

Pick: Under 34