The Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) welcome a reeling Penn State Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) to Kinnick Stadium for Iowa's final night contest of the 2025-2026 season.
The Hawkeyes are coming off a dominating 37-0 win over the Wisconsin Badgers last weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, where they were clicking in all three phases of the game.
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz was pleased that the defense is finally starting to create turnovers, and was even more ecstatic that the offense turned the turnovers into points against Wisconsin.
Penn State is coming off a brutal 22-21 loss to unranked Northwestern in their homecoming game, marking three straight losses for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State also lost starting quarterback Drew Allar during the game, and it was announced that he will be out for the rest of the season.
Shortly after the loss, the program fired head coach James Franklin, signaling a massive trasnition for the program.
Before kickoff a little after 7:00 p.m. Central Time, we have your final odds and predictions.
Final odds for Iowa versus Penn State
Odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Iowa: -3.5 (-102)
- Penn State: +3.5 (-120)
Moneyline
- Iowa: -156
- Penn State: +132
Total
- Over: 41.5 (-105)
- Under: 41.5 (-115)
Final predictions
Even without James Franklin at the helm and Drew Allar under center, Penn State still has a solid team across the board.
The Nittany Lions' defense ranks No. 23 in total defense (302.2 yards per game) and No. 13 in passing yards allowed per game (157.8), but they have struggled against the run.
They allow 144.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 71 in college football.
Penn State's offense has struggled during their three-straight losses, and they have averaged 369.8 yards per game this season.
Iowa's defense should have a solid opportunity against a struggling Penn State offense to wreak havoc and force a few turnovers, especially with a freshman quarterback lining up under center.
The Penn State defense is susceptible to allowing chunk plays on the ground, and the Hawkeyes showed that when they get the running game going, they are tough to beat.
Iowa must take advantage of a struggling Penn State team and not give them any confidence in this game. If Iowa can establish the run and put pressure on the opposing quarterback, they should have no problems winning this game.
The Hawkeyes will go to the ground early and often, and quarterback Mark Gronowski will do just enough in the passing game to open up the run.
Iowa will rack up over 175 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground as the offensive line continues its solid run of play.
Iowa will hand Penn State their fourth straight loss and win their third Big Ten Conference game.
Final score prediction: Iowa 23, Penn State 13