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Iowa vs UMass Picks and Predictions
The Iowa Hawkeyes and the UMass Minutemen are both trying to rebound from close losses when they meet Saturday night in Iowa City. Iowa (1-1) fell 16-13 to rival Iowa State after the Cyclones drilled a 54-yard game-winning field goal in the final two minutes. UMass (0-2) suffered a shocking 27-26 loss to FCS program Bryant, giving the Bulldogs their first-ever win over an FBS team.
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Quarterback Questions for UMass
The Minutemen may be without starting QB Brandon Rose, who left last week’s game with a shoulder injury. X-rays were negative, but his status for Saturday remains doubtful. Graduate transfer Grant Jordan, who came from Yale, took most of the snaps against Bryant, while freshman AJ Hairston also saw action.
Head coach Joe Harasymiak said both will get reps in practice before a decision is made. “Ultimately it’s what gives us the best chance to win the game,” Harasymiak explained.
Iowa Searching for Offensive Rhythm
Iowa’s new QB, Mark Gronowski, transferred from South Dakota State and is still settling in. Through two games, he’s completed 21 of 39 passes for 127 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Hawkeyes are looking for him to be more comfortable in the offense.
“It’s a matter of him getting more comfortable, and us making him more comfortable,” coach Kirk Ferentz said. Iowa will also be without tight end Addison Ostrenga, who suffered an Achilles injury and is out for the season.
Offensive Comparison
Here’s how both teams stack up offensively so far in 2025:
| Team | Passing Yards/Game | Rushing Yards/Game | Points/Game | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes | 127.0 | 142.5 | 14.5 | 3 |
| UMass Minutemen | 201.5 | 118.0 | 13.0 | 4 |
UMass has been more productive through the air, but Iowa’s ground game gives them a slight edge in balance.
Defensive Comparison
Defense could decide this matchup, especially with both offenses struggling:
| Team | Yards Allowed/Game | Points Allowed/Game | Takeaways | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes | 310.0 | 16.0 | 4 | 6 |
| UMass Minutemen | 377.0 | 26.5 | 2 | 5 |
The Hawkeyes have the stronger unit, holding opponents to just 16 points per game — a hallmark of Kirk Ferentz’s program.
Betting Lean
With quarterback uncertainty for UMass and Iowa’s proven defense, the Hawkeyes should control this game at home. My model projects Iowa 24, UMass 10, giving the edge to the Hawkeyes on the moneyline and spread.
For more betting insights and updated lines, check the college football odds page, and don’t miss the full list of college football picks ahead of Week 3.
