Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction & Picks - NCAA

Prediction published on 9/19/25, 4:41 PM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 10/15/25 at 8:16 AM in NCAA Picks

The Rutgers Scarlett Knights (3-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) will get conference play underway this weekend with their first Big Ten opponent of the year, the Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1 SU, 1-1-1 ATS). Kickoff at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ, at 8 p.m. EST, Friday, Sept. 19.

Rutgers took a gentle approach to the start of the season with three relatively easy opponents, the Ohio Bobcats. Miami (OH) and Norfolk State, an FCS school, they crushed last weekend 60-10. Senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has played well, with at least 252 yards passing per game, completing 72.9% of his passes, and seven total passing touchdowns without throwing a pick. Antwan Raymond has been the primary running back but has shared time and hasn’t had more than 16 carries or 87 yards in a game. Their defense will be in for its first real test of the season, facing an Iowa offense that was balanced in its win over UMass (234 yards passing and 201 yards rushing). The Rutgers defense could be in for a long night against an Iowa offense averaging 200+ yards rushing per game so far this season.

Iowa has managed to beat Rutgers in the recent past without much of an offense to speak of. But if the Hawkeyes can get the run game on track early, quarterback Mark Gronowski could hit some key pass plays late.