Big Ten: Rutgers vs Iowa 9/24/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Iowa Hawkeyes square off Saturday afternoon in week 4 Big Ten college football action at SHI Stadium. The Iowa Hawkeyes look to build on their 2-1 record. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights look for their first 4-0 start since the 2012 season. 

The Iowa Hawkeyes have won 4 of their last 5 road games. Spencer Petras is completing 48.1 percent of his passes for 376 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Arland Bruce IV and Sam LaPorta have combined for 204 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Nico Ragaini has 2 receptions. The Iowa Hawkeyes ground game is averaging 93 yards per contest, and Kaleb Johnson leads the way with 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Iowa is allowing 4.3 points and 194.7 yards per game. Jack Campbell leads the Iowa Hawkeyes with 30 tackles, Joe Evans has 2 sacks and Cooper DeJean has 2 interceptions.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have lost 4 of their last 5 home games. Evan Simon is completing 65.9 percent of his passes for 266 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Aron Cruickshank and Chris Long have combined for 175 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Joshua Youngblood has 5 receptions. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights ground game is averaging 222.3 yards per contest, and Al-Shadee Salaam leads the way with 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Rutgers is allowing 14 points and 242.3 yards per game. Christian Izien leads the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with 18 tackles, Wesley Bailey has 2.5 sacks and Robert Longerbeam has 2 interceptions.

The Hawkeyes are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 road games and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Scarlet Knights are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games in September. The under is 4-0 in Hawkeyes last 4 games overall. The under is 8-3 in Scarlet Knights last 11 games overall.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are arguably the best defense in the country, and that’s mainly why they’re going to continue to get respect from oddsmakers. However, I have little confidence in Iowa offensively, as it remains 131st in total offense and 124th in scoring offense. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are playing with confidence, and they’ve flashed their muscle defensively, as they’re second in run defense and 10th in total defense. Rutgers has to be the more confident team here as it looks to start 4-0 for the first time in a decade. Give me the free touchdown.