Iowa Football: Don’t take the bait on Hawks covering spread vs Rutgers

The Iowa football team begins B1G conference play against Rutgers tomorrow. As of now, the Hawkeyes are favored by 20. Here’s our staff picks for the game.

Last week the Iowa football team got off to a hot start and I almost nailed the final score of last week’s matchup against the Miami of Ohio Redhawks. I predicted a final score to be Iowa 38 – Miami (OH) 13, and the actual final score was Iowa 38 – Miami (OH) 14. That’s pretty good if I don’t say so myself so let’s take a look at tomorrow’s game versus Rutgers.

This week, according to Bovado, the Iowa football team is favored to win by almost three touchdowns, just like last week.

Compared to most Big Ten opponents, Iowa does not have much of a history against the Scarlet Knights. In fact, Iowa has only played Rutgers once before in 2016 and was able to win an offensive shootout 14-7.

This year, however, I predict a much different result. The Iowa football team has shown that their offense is multi-dimensional and has the ability to stretch the field. The emergence of Iowa’s passing game and utilization of every available receiver on the field causes a matchup nightmare for Rutgers. We also saw Mekhi Sargent’s, Iowa’s human swiss army knife, ability to be effective both as a runner and receiver, which makes the Hawkeyes even more dangerous offensively.

Last week Rutgers was able to come back from their 14 point deficit and score 41 unanswered points throughout the last three-quarters of the game against UMass. Look, I know UMass isn’t exactly a team to be proud of beating, but Rutger’s 48 points were the most points scored by a Rutgers team since 2017 and the most against an FBS opponent since beating Indiana in 2016.

This year, Rutgers will not be the doormat of the Big Ten anymore. With Texas Tech transfer QB Carter McClane at the helm, and Isaih Pacheco coming off a 4 touchdown performance, Rutgers has shown that it can light up the scoreboard.

I expect a lot of offense this game, which means I will be betting on the Over (currently set at 50 points) in the matchup. I do think the Hawkeyes win, but 20 is just too big of a number for me to feel comfortable with.

Final Score: Iowa 34 – Rutgers 17

Below are the rest of the Dear Old Gold’s staff picks:

Cameron Huggins: Rutgers +20

38-20 Iowa. The Hawks score 4 times on the ground and the defense is stellar before giving up a late TD in garbage time.

Matt Opad: Rutgers +20

31-21 Iowa. An early pick gives Rutgers a glimmer of hope, but Iowa shuts Rutgers down in the second half and never looks back.

Ryan Sikes: Rutgers +20

27-13 Iowa. A bit of a lower-scoring game than expected. Iowa relies heavily on the run game as Nate Stanley takes a step back in Week 2. Sargent rushes for 2 touchdowns, Smith-Marsette catches one, and Duncan hits two field goals.

Justin Stallman: Rutgers +20

35-17 Iowa. Similar score what we saw a week ago, Stanley hits Brandon Smith on a deep ball, and Sargent breaks free for a midfield score putting the hawks up 14 -0 at the half. Rutgers opens up the 2nd half with a score, but the Hawks don’t let up from there putting up 2 more touchdowns in the 3rd on passes from Stanley with Toren Young adding another touchdown in the 4th. Rutgers grabs another TD late in the 4th but it’s not enough. Epenesa gets his first sack of the season and Hawks get another pick from Ojemudia.

Andrew Wade: Iowa -20

Call me a homer, but I think the Iowa football team takes care of business early against Rutgers. I believe Rutgers will get on the board in the first quarter, but Phil Parker’s secondary will make adjustments and begin tearing the McLane Carter-led passing attack apart. Stanley continues his strong start to the season and the defensive line shows their high potential by notching more than 5 sacks.