The Rutgers, The State University of N.J. Scarlet Knights (3-0, 1-0 Home), one of the Big Ten Conference’s top rushing offenses, play host to the University of Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1, 0-0 Away), one of the conference’s weakest ground defenses, for a Big 10 opener at SHI Stadium on Saturday. The Hawkeyes are 7.5-point favorites, and the total is 34.Iowa is coming off a runaway 27-0 win over Nevada at Kinnick Stadium last Saturday. Spencer Petras threw for 175 yards and a touchdown. Kaleb Johnson ran seven times for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Nico Ragaini caught two passes for 56 yards. Rutgers beat Temple 16-14 at Lincoln Financial Field last Saturday. Evan Simon was 9 of 15 for 59 yards. Johnny Langan carried nine times for 79 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2019, a 30-0 win for the Hawkeyes.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Hawkeyes are averaging 13.7 points per game so far this season, 124th in FBS, and they are facing a Scarlet Knights defense that has surrendered 14.0 PPG (21st). Meanwhile, Rutgers has scored 34.7 points a game this season, 56th in the nation, and Iowa is allowing 4.3 PPG (2nd).The Hawkeyes rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in both passing (125.3, 124th) and rushing (92.3, 118th) yards per game. They will face a particularly tough test on the ground, as the Scarlet Knights are second in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (32.3). Against the pass, Rutgers is 46th (196.7).Rutgers has been one of the country’s least successful passing teams, averaging 143.7 passing yards per game (119th), while ranking 21st in rushing yards (222.3). Iowa’s defense has proven stout through the air, as the Hawkeyes are 6th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (117.7). Against the run, the Hawkeyes are 15th (77.0).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through three games, Petras has thrown for one touchdown (2 INT) and 125.3 yards per game to lead Iowa in passing. Johnson leads the team in rushing with an average of 38.7 yards a game over three games. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Arland Bruce IV is the Hawkeyes’ leading receiver with 42.3 yards a game and one TD. Simon has two passing touchdowns with 90.3 yards per game through three games to lead Rutgers. In one previous home game this season, he threw for two TDs and 156 yards. Kyle Monangai has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 48.7 yards a game through three games. He has two touchdowns. Aron Cruickshank has been a key target in the Scarlet Knights’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 33.7 yard per game average through three appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Iowa (-350)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
