The Iowa Hawkeyes welcome the UMass Minutemen to Kinnick Stadium for a Saturday night matchup in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes (1-1) are coming off a 16-13 loss to rival Iowa State in Ames, and are looking to bounce back in this game. This will be the last tune-up for the Hawkeyes before they start their Big Ten Conference schedule.
The Minutemen (0-2) enter this game following two straight losses to Temple (42-10) and Bryant (27-26), and will look to get the ball rolling under first year head coach Joe Harasymiak.
With Kirk Ferentz on the verge of history, we examine the final odds for the game and give our predictions for the outcome.
Final odds for Iowa versus UMass
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Iowa: -34.5 (-110)
- UMass: +34.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- N/A
Total
- Iowa: Under 44.5 (-105)
- UMass: Over 44.5 (-115)
Final predictions
There is no doubt that the Iowa offense must show up in this game. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski looks out of sorts at times and has only tallied 127 total passing yards in two games. His 127 passing yards are the fewest by any quarterback through two games in history.
The Hawkeyes are now without two weapons in the passing game, as tight end Addison Ostrenga (Achilles) and wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (foot) are sidelined.
If the Hawkeyes want to find success in the passing game today, they will need to take advantage of UMass's tendency to play man coverage and hit deep passes over the top.
If Iowa can open up the passing game, it will create even bigger holes for the running game than the offensive line already will against an inferior UMass defensive line.
We know the defense will come to lay, and today will be the first day they get on the stat sheet for multiple turnovers.
The Iowa defense will rack up three interceptions, and the Iowa passing game will show some life as Iowa gets a big win to bounce back. Gronowski finds Jacob Gill for two scores, and the Hawkeyes get Ferentz his 206th Big Ten win.
Final score: Iowa 34, UMass 3