Iowa and Rutgers enter Big Ten conference play in Week 4 under the lights. Both programs aim to prove their worth in the conference conversation while setting themselves up for deep runs this fall.
Our Iowa vs. Rutgers preview provides the current PFSN player and team grades, analytical insights, and our pregame prediction for Friday’s 8:00 PM ET kickoff on FOX.
Iowa vs. Rutgers Details
- Date: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
- Game time: 8 PM ET
- Location: SHI Stadium | Piscataway, NJ
- Predicted weather at kick: 71 degrees, clear skies, 7 mph winds
- How to watch: FOX
Iowa vs. Rutgers Head-to-Head Record
Despite Rutgers joining the Big Ten in 2014, the Scarlet Knights and the Hawkeyes have only met four times. Iowa has been victorious in all four matchups, outscoring Rutgers 93-17, but Rutgers looks different in 2025 and poses a substantial threat.
The series represents a classic Big Ten East vs. Big Ten West matchup (before recent conference realignment). Iowa consistently demonstrates superior talent despite Rutgers’ efforts to establish itself as a competitive program over the last decade.
Iowa vs. Rutgers Grades
PFSN College OFFi
- Iowa (85.04, B)
- Rutgers (88.74, B+)
PFSN College DEFi
- Iowa (87.19, B+)
- Rutgers (78.9, C+)
PFSN College OLi
- Iowa (87.83, B+)
- Rutgers (91.4, A-)
PFSN College QBi
- Mark Gronowski, Iowa (72.4, C-)
- Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers (81.5, B-)
PFSN College RBi
- Iowa (N/A)
- Antwan Raymond, Rutgers (84.47, B)
PFSN College WRi
- Iowa (N/A)
- Ian Strong, Rutgers (83.21, B)
PFSN College TEi
- Hayden Large, Iowa (77.92, C+)
- Kenny Fletcher, Rutgers (78.73, C+)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Max Llewellyn, Iowa (82.37, B-)
- Eric O’Neill, Rutgers (82.91)
PFSN College DTi
- Jonah Pace, Iowa (74.75, C)
- Bradley Weaver, Rutgers (80.22, B-)
PFSN College LBi
- Jack Harrell, Iowa (70.88, C-)
- Moses Walker, Rutgers (73.84, C)
PFSN College CBi
- Deshaun Lee, Iowa (80.86, B-)
- Jacobie Henderson, Rutgers (88.42, B+)
PFSN College SAFi
- Zach Lutmer, Iowa (85.01, B)
- Kaj Sanders, Rutgers (80.02, B-)
Iowa vs. Rutgers Prediction
One of 39 remaining undefeated college football teams, Rutgers enters conference play brimming with confidence after defeating Ohio, Miami (OH), and Norfolk State.
The offense has been productive, with quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis passing for 820 yards and seven touchdowns, effectively utilizing his weapons in wide receiver Ian Strong and running back Antwan Raymond.
With an 88.74 (B+) PFSN College OFFi grade, the Scarlet Knights rank 14th nationally and will face Iowa’s 21st-ranked defense (87.19 PFSN College DEFi). However, Iowa State proved that the Hawkeyes could be exploited on the ground. Rutgers has established an offense that is unafraid of taking risks downfield and enters Week 4 as the more reliable unit.
Rutgers and Iowa are well-matched teams in what will be a vintage Big Ten matchup. Both teams succeed by operating with different approaches and finding ways to grind out wins ahead of a loaded conference schedule.
For the Hawkeyes, the Iowa outlook has been vintage Kirk Ferentz. While the offense has been well below preseason expectations, the defense has carried the team to a 2-1 start.
Mark Gronowski transferred to Iowa City to provide the Hawkeyes with productive quarterback play, something that Iowa has lacked in recent years.
However, despite winning his 52nd career game in Week 3’s victory over UMass to move past Kellen Moore for the most wins in FCS/FBS history, the former FCS star has failed to excel. Gronowski ranks 117th nationally with only 394 passing yards and 105th with a 72.4 (C-) PFSN College QBi grade.
This game may depend on how well the Iowa offense operates and who can control the running game. Both offensive lines enter the Week 4 matchup as top-25 units by PFSN’s College OLi metric, and Rutgers has proven it can move the ball. Yet, the Scarlet Knights’ defense ranks 90th nationally, allowing 148.7 rushing yards per game.
The Hawkeyes’ offense has yet to establish exactly who it is, and time is running out to salvage their College Football Playoff hopes. Meanwhile, Rutgers is trying to prove it is more than just a trap game on the schedule for the Big Ten’s elite programs.
Don’t expect high-scoring action, but that only adds to the drama in Piscataway.
Prediction: Rutgers 20, Iowa 17
