Ohio State Buckeyes vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, 10/3/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: Hawkeyes (+13.5)

Total/Over-Under: 45.5

Kinnick Stadium is the location where the Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0) will go up against the Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Iowa opens as 13.5-point dogs. The total is set at 45.5.

The Ohio State Buckeyes head into this game 3-1 for this season. In their last game, the Buckeyes played the Illinois Fighting Illini and walked away with a win by a score of 42-19. The Ohio State Buckeyes ran the rock 32 different times and tallied 151 yards, earning them an average of 4.7 yds per carry. In the game, they had 68 plays for 518 yds. Ohio State surrendered 21 completions on 38 tries for 263 yards, and a completion rate of 55.3%. Against the run, the Buckeyes conceded 199 yds on 33 attempts, which is an average of 6.0 yards per run allowed.

Regarding scoring, the Ohio State Buckeyes have an average of 45.0 PPG. As a unit they maintain an average of 156.8 yards via the ground game ranking this team at 76th in college football. The Buckeyes have earned 2,088 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Ohio State has earned 13 touchdowns via the pass and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Ohio State has accrued 103 1st downs, and they have been called for 23 penalties for 200 yards. They have surrendered the football 4 times.

Concerning yards via the pass, the Buckeyes have conceded 641 yards which ranks them 22nd in college football. They have conceded 160.3 yards per outing via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 54.1%. For the season, they are giving up 274.3 yards per game ranking them 27th in Division 1. They have relinquished 2 touchdowns by air and 3 touchdowns running the ball. They are giving up an average of 3.5 yards per attempt on the ground and 114.0 rushing yards per game so far this year. Overall, they have given up 456 yards via the ground game in 4 games. The Buckeyes are ranked 13th in college football concerning team defense, allowing 12.3 PPG.

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The Hawkeyes come into this matchup with a record of 4-0 this year. In their last game, the Hawkeyes got the victory with a final of 20-19 when they played the Michigan Wolverines. The Hawkeyes finished the game with a total of 285 yards while running 59 plays (4.8 yards per play). Iowa rushed the football for 2.4 yds per carry, finishing with 58 yds on 24 attempts. Iowa surrendered 40 rushing attempts for 153 yds (3.8 yds per carry). The Hawkeyes secondary gave up a completion rate of 60.7%, surrendering 276 yds on 17 for 28 through the air.

Regarding their scoring prowess, the Hawkeyes rank 58th in college football by scoring 32.8 points per outing. The Iowa Hawkeyes maintain an average of 429.0 yards/game, which has them ranked 48th in D-1. The Iowa offense has totaled 202 penalty yards on 23 violations, which is 94th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They have tossed 1 interception while allowing opponents to recover no fumbles and they have been able to earn 87 1st downs. Over the course of the season so far, the Hawkeyes currently sit at 854 yards through the air along with an average of 213.5 throwing yards per game, ranking them 86th in the nation. They maintain an average of 215.5 yards per game on the ground and have run for 862 yards for the season.

Iowa has conceded a total of 351 rushing yards (87.8 yards per contest) in addition to no touchdowns via the rush for the season. They have surrendered 3 touchdowns through the air as well as 152.0 yards/outing, which has them in 12th in D-1. This season, they have conceded 32 points in total. They have 1 fumble and 4 picks for the year. The Hawkeyes defense has taken part in 234 plays, which has them ranked 27th in Division 1. The Hawkeyes are relinquishing 8.0 points per contest, ranking them 1st in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Hawkeyes +13.5

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