Iowa Hawkeyes vs Vanderbilt Commodores Prediction, 12/31/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Vanderbilt Commodores

Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Location: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Commodores (-5.5)

Total/Over-Under: 47

The Vanderbilt Commodores (10-2) are welcoming the Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4) at Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Vanderbilt opens this game as 5.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total has been set at 47.

The Iowa Hawkeyes come into this matchup with a record of 8-4 for this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Hawkeyes took on the Nebraska Cornhuskers and went home with a win by a final score of 40-16. Once the final whistle blew, they ran 62 plays which gave them 379 yds. The Iowa Hawkeyes rushed the ball a total of 46 different times and amassed 213 yards, which is an average of 4.6 yds per attempt. When it came to stopping the run, the Hawkeyes gave up 231 yards on 36 tries, which is an average of 6.4 yards per run allowed. Iowa allowed 9 pass completions on 24 attempts for a total of 69 yards, and a completion percentage of 37.5%.

In terms of putting points on the board, the Iowa Hawkeyes hold an average of 28.9 points per contest. As a unit they average 177.8 yards on the ground ranking this team at 45th in college football. The Hawkeyes have attained 3,782 total yards for the season. With reference to scoring touchdowns, Iowa has earned 10 passing touchdowns and 26 touchdowns via the ground. Iowa has accumulated 208 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 34 infractions for 338 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 12 different times.

In terms of yards through the air, the Hawkeyes are allowing 1,898 yards which puts them in 5th in the nation. They have allowed 158.2 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 56.8%. In total, they are conceding 270.6 yards/game which ranks them 7th in D-1. They have surrendered 7 touchdowns by air as well as 11 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing 3.5 yards per rush and 112.4 rushing yards per game this year. For the year, they have given up 1,349 running yards through 12 outings. The Hawkeyes sit in 7th in Division 1 concerning their opponents scoring, conceding 15.2 points per game.

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The Commodores come into this game with a record of 10-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Commodores got the win with a final of 45-24 when they played the Tennessee Volunteers. The Commodores finished with a total of 582 yards while they ran 65 plays (9.0 yards per play). Vanderbilt ran for 8.5 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 314 yds on 37 attempts. Vanderbilt surrendered 31 run attempts for 83 yds (2.7 yards per rush). The Commodores secondary conceded a completion rate of 65.9%, relinquishing 299 yds on 29 for 44 passing.

Concerning the points being put on the board, the Commodores sit 8th in the country maintaining an average of 39.4 points per contest. The Vanderbilt Commodores average 468.5 yards per game, which ranks them 12th in the country. The Vanderbilt offense has racked up 738 yards of penalties on 80 infractions, which is good for 46th in the nation in terms of giving up free yards. They have given away 8 picks while conceding 4 fumbles and they have earned 292 1st downs. Over the course of the season thus far, the Commodores have thrown for a total of 3,391 yards via the pass along with an average of 282.6 throwing yards per outing, which has them ranked 13th in Division 1. They have an average of 185.9 rushing yards per game and have toted the ball for 2,231 yards overall.

The Commodores are conceding 21.9 points per contest, which has them 42nd in Division 1. Vanderbilt has allowed a total of 1,240 yards rushing (103.3 yards per game) as well as 8 touchdowns on the ground so far this season. They have given up 22 touchdowns via the pass and 252.5 yards per contest, which has them ranked 122nd in college football. The Commodores defense has participated in 781 plays, which is good for 34th in the nation. Their defense has compiled 7 fumbles and 7 picks over the course of the season. This season, they have allowed 263 points in total.

Who will win tonight's Hawkeyes/Commodores college football game against the spread?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take the Commodores -5.5

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