Rutgers vs #25 Iowa || Game Preview

Rutgers welcomes in the 25th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes for the opening game of the brutal B1G slate. The Hawkeyes are coming off a huge upset loss to North Dakota State which cost them their top-15 ranking. They are coming into this game pissed off and will try to take it out on the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers vs #25 Iowa

Location: Rutgers Stadium | Piscataway, New Jersey

Time: 12pm ET

TV: ESPN2

Radio: WOR 710-AM, WCTC 1450-AM

Line: Iowa -13

Other On the Banks previews

Official Preview of Iowa

The Week 4 Depth Chart

Picking Against The Spread

A Q&A With Iowa’s Black Heart Gold Pants

The Tale of the Tape

Rutgers is riding a two game winning streak and Iowa is fresh off a heartbreaking loss to North Dakota State. Iowa came into the season as favorites to repeat as B1G West and still can but the loss to NDSU likely removes them from College Football Playoff consideration. Meanwhile, Rutgers’ only loss being on the road against a top-10 team means they most likely control their own destiny to make the Playoff so keep that in mind when you get down about this team.

How Rutgers wins

Rutgers wins this game by playing like they have never played before. They can’t go down early in the game and expect to come back and win. They have to flip the script in that regard and come out fast with some unexpected plays. Maybe a Janarion Grant kick return early and a big running play from Robert Martin help get Rutgers out to an early lead. Iowa is not a team built to score a lot of points or come back in games so getting up early could go a long way. However, with the way Rutgers has been playing in the first quarter this season, that scenario seems highly unlikely.

How Iowa wins

Iowa wins this game by playing classic hard-nosed football. They should be able to run the ball and play great defense and not have to do too much in order to win against an overmatched opponent. As long as they don’t give up any big plays and don’t turn the ball over, they should win handily. They are more talented and better coached at this point. Iowa is a team that Rutgers hopes to model down the road, and it is pretty obvious we aren’t quite at their level yet.

Official Prediction

I think this game could get really ugly. Iowa is a really good team that got caught off guard. Normally, I think Rutgers could put up a fight, but not when Iowa is this motivated. Iowa could cruise and beat Rutgers by a touchdown but I think they will turn it up this game and lay a beating on Rutgers. Their defense is definitely elite and the Rutgers offense has been less than stellar. I can’t foresee a good game for Chris Laviano. The experience that CJ Beathard brings at the quarterback position will allow to him to control the tempo of the game. Iowa 31 Rutgers 3