Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a matchup on the gridiron between Big Ten foes as they tangle in the Hawkeye State, looking to earn a win. The Penn State Nittany Lions are on the road as they travel to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes Saturday night. Penn State comes in off a 22-21 home defeat to Northwestern last Saturday in their previous contest, losing outright as a 21-point favorite. Iowa rolled to a 37-0 blowout win over Wisconsin on the road, covering the line as a 5.5-point favorite, in their previous contest last Saturday. In the all-time series between the programs, Penn State owns an 18-14 edge, including a 31-0 home win in the most recent meeting on September 23, 2023. Read more about this Penn State vs. Iowa prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Penn State Hoping to Turn Things Around to Start New Chapter
Penn State suffered their third straight loss, including its second straight where they were favored by at least three scores, as they were beaten at home by Northwestern last week. The Nittany Lions fell to 3-3 overall on the year and 0-3 in the Big Ten on the year. Against Northwestern, Penn State trailed 3-0 after the opening quarter, led 14-13 at the half, and after three quarters. The Nittany Lions took their last lead at 21-16 with 10:50 remaining. They gave up the eventual winning score with 4:51 to play and turned the ball over on downs on their final drive, allowing the Wildcats to run out the clock. Penn State was edged 282-274 in total offense, gave up 23 first downs while picking up 13, turned the ball over twice while recording one takeaway and lost time of possession by a 34:46 to 25:14 margin. The Nittany Lions fired James Franklin on Sunday, despite still owing him more than $49 million. Terry Smith takes over the team on an interim basis.
The Nittany Lions enter this contest 96th in the nation in passing offense as they average 200.8 yards through the air this season. Penn State is 52nd in rushing offense as they pick up 169 yards per contest. The Nittany Lions are 32nd in the FBS in scoring offense by averaging 35.7 points per game and stand 29th in scoring defense by allowing just 18.5 points per contest. Drew Allar is 103 of 159 passing for 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 172 yards plus a score on the ground. Ethan Grunkemeyer (eight of 11, 105 yards, TD, eight rushing yards, TD) has seen limited action, but will take over as the starter with Allar suffering a severe leg injury. Kaytron Allen leads the team in rushing with 70 carries for 467 yards and seven scores. Nicholas Singleton (70 carries, 259 yards, six TD) and Cam Wallace (six carries, 23 yards) have been effective in their attempts as well. Trebor Pena leads the team with 20 receptions for 202 yards and a score on the season. Kyron Hudson (19 grabs, 218 yards, two TD), Devonte Ross (16 catches, 240 yards, three TD), plus tight ends Luke Reynolds (18 receptions, 197 yards) and Khalil Dinkins (seven receptions, 105 yards, two TD) are solid options in the aerial attack as well. Ryan Barker has hit all 23 extra point attempts and 10 of 11 field goal attempts with a long of 49 on the year. Matthew Parker has hit his lone extra point attempt while not attempting a field goal on the season.
Allar (leg) was injured against Northwestern last week and is done for the year. Wallace (undisclosed) is questionable for this contest.
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Hawkeyes Seeking Second Straight Victory
Iowa bounced back from a loss to then-#11 Indiana as they went on the road and clobbered Wisconsin in their previous contest and they hope to build momentum here as well. The Hawkeyes improved to 4-2 overall and stand 2-1 in the Big Ten on the season. Against Wisconsin, Iowa scored 17 points in just over three minutes late in the first quarter to break a scoreless tie and rolled from there. The Hawkeyes were up 23-0 at the half and didn’t let the Badgers drive deeper than the Iowa 35-yard line, with that coming on the game’s final play. Iowa rolled up a 319-208 edge in total offense, picked up 18 first downs while allowing 12, owned a 31:15 to 28:45 edge In time of possession and forced three turnovers while committing one in the game.
The Hawkeyes come into this contest 130th in the nation in passing offense (142 yards per game) and 44th in rushing offense (184 yards per game) this season. Iowa is a slightly above average offensive team as they are 52nd of the 136 teams in the FBS to take the field this season in scoring offense with 30.7 points a game, but they are stellar defensively, ranking 8th in scoring defense by allowing only 13 points a contest. Mark Gronowski is 85 of 130 passing for 743 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions while ranking fourth in rushing yards with 159 plus a team-high eight scores. Hank Brown (11 of 21, 107 yards, TD, INT, rush TD) and Jeremy Hecklinski (one of one, two yards) are next up on the depth chart. Jaziun Patterson is third on the team with 34 carries for 198 yards on the season. Xavier Williams (33 carries, 241 yards, three TD), Nathan McNeil (27 carries, 129 yards), Kamari Moulton (50 carries, 261 yards, two TD) and Terrell Washington Jr. (24 carries, 95 yards) are in the mix as well. Jacob Gill leads the team in the passing game with 12 catches for 125 yards on the season. Sam Phillips (11 catches, 193 yards), Moulton (nine catches, 71 yards) and Dayton Howard (five grabs, 74 yards) are the only other players with at least 70 receiving yards on the season. Drew Stevens is 20 of 21 on extra point attempts and 12 of 15 on field goal attempts with a long of 55 on the year.
Patterson and Washington Jr. are both dealing with undisclosed injuries. They are each questionable for this contest.
Penn State vs. Iowa Prediction
Spread Pick for Penn State vs. Iowa
- Iowa -2.5 (4 units)
Penn State is slumping badly with three straight losses, including ones to teams they were favored by 25 (UCLA) and 21 (Northwestern) points against. The Nittany Lions fired their coach in Franklin and lost their starting quarterback for the year as well. Grunkemeyer has limited experience when it comes to playing at this level and has to deal with a Hawkeyes defense that gives up just 167.7 yards per game through the air and 79 yards per contest (2.6 yards per carry) on the ground this season. Iowa is tough at home and they stand 4-1-1 ATS this season while Penn State is 0-6 ATS. Take the Hawkeyes here as they prevail in a rock fight.
Over/Under Pick for Penn State vs. Iowa
- Under 40.5 (4 units)
Penn State has seen the over post a 4-2 mark in their six games this season. The Nittany Lions have racked up more than 34 points in four of their contests on the year, but their offense takes a massive hit without Allar running the show. Iowa has seen the under post a 3-2-1 mark in their six games on the year. The Hawkeyes have held three opponents to seven points or less and a fourth foe to 16 points. Iowa hasn’t given up more than 28 points in a game this season. With two strong defensive teams, coupled with an unraveling Penn State squad, plus an Iowa team that isn’t an offensive powerhouse and this game winds up falling short of the total.
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