Iowa Hawkeyes (5-1) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2)
October 24, 2026 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers 6.5 / Iowa Hawkeyes -6.5; Over/Under: 40.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Saturday in week 8 college football action at Huntington Bank Stadium. Here’s a Minnesota vs. Iowa Prediction. This article will include a Minnesota vs. Iowa Pick.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
The Iowa Hawkeyes lost to Ohio State, beat Washington, and they play Wisconsin next. The Iowa Hawkeyes have won 8 of their last 9 games. Hank Brown is completing 62.9 percent of his passes for 832 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Tony Diaz and Reece Vander Zee have combined for 576 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while DJ Vonnahme has 18 receptions.
The Iowa Hawkeyes’ ground game is averaging 194 yards per contest, and Kamari Moulton leads the way with 519 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Iowa is allowing 14.5 points and 293.3 yards per game. Cam Buffington leads the Iowa Hawkeyes with 52 tackles, Joseph Anderson has 3 sacks, and Deshaun Lee has 2 interceptions.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview
The Minnesota Golden Gophers lost to Purdue, beat Michigan, and they play Indiana next. Minnesota has won 4 of its last 6 games. Drake Lindsey is completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 1,335 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Javon Tracy and Noah Jennings have combined for 735 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Jalen Smith has 15 receptions.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers’ ground game is averaging 104.8 yards per contest, and TJ Thomas leads the way with 317 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Minnesota is allowing 21.8 points and 288.8 yards per game. Maverick Baranowski leads the Minnesota Golden Gophers with 45 tackles, TJ Bush Jr. has 4 sacks, and John Nestor has 1 interception.
Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win
- Minnesota has won each of its last six home games against conference opponents.
- Iowa has lost each of its last four games as a top-15 AP-ranked team.
- Iowa has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games as a top-15 AP-ranked team.
- Minnesota has covered the spread in each of its last five games as a home underdog.
- The underdog has won the first quarter in four of Minnesota’s last five games.
- Iowa has lost the first half in each of its last five games as a top-15 AP-ranked team.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win
- Iowa has won each of its last 14 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Minnesota has lost seven of its last eight games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
- Iowa has covered the spread in each of its last seven road games against conference opponents.
- Iowa has won the first quarter in each of its last four road games against Minnesota.
- Iowa has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Minnesota’s last eight games at Huntington Bank Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of Iowa’s last seven October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Drake Lindsey ranks 6th amongst qualified players for sack percentage (1.5%) this season.
Iowa Hawkeyes Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 8, Tony Diaz leads Iowa for receptions (28) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Minnesota ranks T6th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (95.7).
- Minnesota ranks T7th among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (1.7).
- Iowa has recorded the most home wins by a margin of 40+ points of any FBS team this season (2).
- Iowa has won the fourth quarter in each of its last five games – equal-longest active streak in the FBS.
Minnesota vs Iowa Prediction
Iowa is the better team and should be favored, but this line is a bit steep for Minnesota at home. Minnesota struggles to move the ball offensively, but it competes hard, defends, and usually overachieves. We saw Minnesota upset Washington and Michigan this season, and the Gophers have covered 7 of their last 10 games. P. J. Fleck is a madman who has his team prepared and often thrives as an underdog. I’ll grab the points while also sprinkling the ML. Give me the Golden Gophers.
