Iowa vs Minnesota Prediction 10/24/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers will meet Saturday afternoon in a Big Ten Conference matchup at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at this matchup from a betting perspective.

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes enter Saturday’s matchup with a 5-1 overall record (3-1 home record, 2-0 mark on the road and a 2-1 record in Big Ten play). The Hawkeyes have played quality football this season, posting impressive victories over Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Northern Arizona, Michigan and the Washington Huskies.

The Iowa offense has been productive through six games played in 2026. The Hawkeyes are averaging 31 points per game while generating 403.2 total yards per contest. Iowa has accumulated 209.2 passing yards and 194 rushing yards per game this season.

Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the football, Iowa has once again been one of the better defensive teams in the nation. The Hawkeyes are allowing only 14.5 points and 293.3 total yards per game. Examining the data just presented more closely, Iowa has been elite defending the run, surrendering only 84.7 rushing yards per contest which currently ranks seventh in the country.

Through six games played in the 2026 regular season, senior running back Kamari Moulton has amassed 519 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Hank Brown has compiled 832 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, 16 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.     

Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers enter Saturday’s contest with a 4-2 overall record (3-1 record at home, 1-1 mark on the road, 2-1 mark in Big Ten play). The Golden Gophers are coming off a disappointing 41-13 loss to Purdue after winning three consecutive games.

The Minnesota offense has been rather pedestrian this season. The Golden Gophers average 28.8 points and 341.3 total yards per game, including only 104.8 rushing yards per contest which ranks an abysmal 122nd in the nation.

Defensively, Minnesota has been outstanding. The Golden Gophers are allowing only 21.8 points and 288.8 total yards per game. Minnesota has been particularly effective defending the pass, allowing just 159.7 passing yards per game, which ranks ninth in the country.

Junior quarterback Drake Lindsey has compiled 1,335 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns and five interceptions. Wide receiver Javon Tracy has emerged as Minnesota’s top receiving threat, accumulating 32 receptions, 375 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, while junior running back TJ Thomas has tallied 317 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.                                                             

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win.

• Defensive dominance. Iowa is allowing only 14.5 points per game this season.

• Rush defense. The Hawkeyes are surrendering only 84.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks seventh in the nation.

• Rushing attack. Iowa is averaging a robust 194 rushing yards per contest.

• Recent form. The Iowa Hawkeyes have won five of the team’s six games played this season.    

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win.

• Home-field advantage. Minnesota will play this game at Huntington Bank Stadium.

• Pass defense. The Golden Gophers are allowing only 159.7 passing yards per game.

• Quarterback play. Drake Lindsey has thrown for 1,335 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction

In my view, this matchup favors the Iowa Hawkeyes. Why? Iowa owns the edge in the trenches and brings the nation’s eighth-ranked scoring defense into this contest. The Hawkeyes are allowing only 14.5 points per game and rank seventh nationally against the run, a significant advantage against a Minnesota offense that is averaging only 104.8 rushing yards per game. With the Hawkeyes holding advantages in rushing offense, run defense and overall consistency, I am backing the Iowa Hawkeyes covering the 5.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes -5.5