Penn State Nittany Lions vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, 10/18/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Penn State Nittany Lions vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA

TV: Peacock

Odds/Point Spread: Hawkeyes (-3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 38.5

Kinnick Stadium is the location where the Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2) will play the Penn State Nittany Lions (3-3) on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Iowa is 3.5-point favorites. The over/under is 38.5.

The Penn State Nittany Lions head into this game 3-3 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Nittany Lions faced the Northwestern Wildcats and took a loss by a final of 22-21. For the game, they had 51 plays which gave them 274 yds. The Penn State Nittany Lions ended up rushing 31 different times and had 137 yds, which earned them an average of 4.4 yards per tote. In the running game, the Nittany Lions gave up 119 yards on 42 tries, which averages out to 2.8 yards per run allowed. Penn State relinquished 17 pass completions on 26 tries for 163 yds, and a completion rate of 65.4%.

Concerning getting in the endzone, the Penn State Nittany Lions hold an average of 35.7 PPG. As a team they average 169.0 yards rushing which ranks them 52nd in Division 1. The Nittany Lions have earned 2,219 total yards for the season. With reference to distribution of touchdowns, Penn State has earned 9 touchdowns via the pass and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Penn State has accumulated 122 1st downs offensively, and they have committed 25 penalties for 204 yds. They have surrendered the ball 5 times.

The Nittany Lions are ranked 27th in D-1 when it comes to team defense, allowing 18.5 points per game. They are allowing 3.6 yards per rush on the ground and 144.3 rushing yards per game on the year. During this campaign, they have given up 866 yards on the ground through 6 games. When talking about passing yardage, the Nittany Lions have given up 947 yards which has them sitting in 16th in D-1. They have allowed 157.8 yards per contest via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 61.8%. During the season, they are allowing 302.2 yards/contest which ranks them 22nd in Division 1. They have allowed 8 touchdowns through the air and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Hawkeyes head into this matchup 4-2 for this year. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Hawkeyes got the victory with a final of 37-0 when they played the Wisconsin Badgers. Iowa ran for 5.8 yards per tote, finishing the contest with 210 yds on 36 attempts. The Hawkeyes finished with 319 yds and they ran 61 plays (5.2 yards per play). The Hawkeyes pass defense gave up a completion rate of 38.1%, relinquishing 82 yards on 8 for 21 through the air. Iowa allowed 36 rushing attempts for 127 yards (3.5 yds per rush).

The Iowa Hawkeyes are averaging 326.0 yards per contest, ranking them 114th in college football. The Iowa offense has totaled 128 penalty yds on 13 violations, which ranks them 136th in the nation in terms of giving up free yards. They hold an average of 184.0 run yards per game and have toted the ball for 1,104 yards for the year. They have given away 4 interceptions while letting opponents recover 1 fumbles and they have been able to tally 115 1st downs. When looking at putting points on the board, the Hawkeyes currently rank 53rd in college football scoring 30.7 points per contest. During the season so far, the Hawkeyes have racked up 852 yards through the air along with holding an average of 142.0 throwing yards per game, ranking them 130th in D-1.

Iowa has allowed a total of 474 yards on the ground (79.0 yards/game) as well as 5 touchdowns via the rush on the season. They have allowed 4 touchdowns from the passing game and 167.7 yards/outing, which has them in 22nd in the country. Over the course of the season, they have given up 78 total points. They have 2 fumbles recovered and 4 interceptions on the year. The Hawkeyes defense has taken part in 342 plays, ranking them 12th in D-1. The Hawkeyes are relinquishing 13.0 PPG, which has them 8th in the nation.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Nittany Lions +3.5

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