Albany vs Iowa Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The Albany Great Danes and Iowa Hawkeyes meet Saturday in college football action at Kinnick Stadium. Here’s a Albany vs Iowa Prediction. This article will include a Albany vs Iowa Pick.

Albany Great Danes Betting Preview

The Albany Great Danes won four games last season and will begin the Jared Ambrose coaching era. In 2023 Albany was able to rebound from a down year with 11 wins and a trip to the FCS Semifinal.

Albany gets a boost at quarterback in Wisconsin transfer Myles Burkett, who was once Gatorade Player of the Year. Running back Griffin Woodell returns as one of the best playmakers in the CAA, while receiver Marqeese Dietz is an established vet. Jacari Carter comes over from Georgia State where he had 38 catches in the 2023 season. Albany has an offensive line that has four returning starters, including two of the best in the conference in Ozzie Hutchinson and Will Marotta.

Defensively, Albany has a ways to go if this season is going to improve, but linebacker Dontae Lunan is possibly the best in the CAA and brings experience. Defensive lineman DaSean Dixon was a third-team CAA selection last season and should build on two sacks and six tackles for loss. Still, the rest of the unit has some showing and proving to do after a rough season last year.

Albany has potential with seven players making the preseason CAA team.

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes have won eight or more games in nine of the last 10 years, and they enter year 27 under coach Kirk Ferentz. Phil Parker returns for his 14th season as defensive coordinator and go-to guy of one of the best defenses in recent years.

South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski will take over at quarterback as a two-time MVFC Offensive Player of the Year. The Iowa offense says goodbye to running back Kaleb Johnson and the receiving group is thin, but an offensive line that includes Gennings Dunker and Logan Jones is a strength. Iowa has had issues passing the ball and scoring points, so despite questionable skill positions, having Gronowski at QB could lead to a watchable Iowa offense for once.

Iowa lost eight of its top nine defensive players in terms of snaps and that creates an inexperienced group. Still, Parker is probably the best DC in college football, so there’s trust things will turn out well. A defensive line made up of Ethan Hurkett, Max Llewellyn, and Aaron Graves is intriguing. Defensive back Xavier Nwankpa is poised for a breakout year at safety. Linebacker is an area of concern with Jay Higgins, Kyler Fisher, and Nick Jackson no longer around. 

Still, Iowa is as consistent as it comes in the Big Ten and should remain a physical team that nobody wants to play.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Iowa has won 10 of its last 11 home openers.
• Iowa has covered the spread in three of its last four home games.

Why the UAlbany Great Danes will win

• Iowa has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.

Iowa Hawkeyes Player Prop Facts

• Kaden Wetjen was the only player in the FBS to have both a punt and kick return touchdown last season.

Albany vs Iowa Prediction

Iowa is obviously the better team, and the physicality is sure to give Albany problems. There’s a gap between teams. However, we’ve seen Iowa be absolutely dreadful offensively in recent years, and it makes it difficult to lay massive numbers. Also, Albany is as talented as any team in the CAA, so this isn’t your typical FCS team that’s just going to lay down. Myles Burkett is a talented and accomplished quarterback, and you can bet he’s had this game circled. I’m grabbing the points with Albany on the road.