Iowa vs Minnesota Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 24, 2026
The Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kickoff is at 3:30 pm ET on FS1. No. 15 Iowa is 5-1 and tied for fifth in the Big Ten at 2-1 in conference play. The Hawkeyes beat Washington 41-24 in their last game, bouncing back from a loss to Ohio State. Minnesota is 4-2 and also 2-1 in the Big Ten. Minnesota's latest outing was a 41-13 loss at Purdue after three consecutive wins. Build your bankroll with our free NCAAF picks.
Iowa Finding Room to Run
Iowa's trip to Washington went much better than its previous game. After losing 31-14 to Ohio State, the Hawkeyes scored 41 in Seattle and picked up their fifth win. The offense has had its quieter days, too. Iowa needed a 20-19 win at Michigan and beat Iowa State just 16-13. Against Northern Iowa, though, the Hawkeyes scored 55 without allowing a point. Running the ball has been their biggest strength. Iowa has gained 1,164 rushing yards in six games, averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Kamari Moulton has rushed for 519 yards and four touchdowns on only 76 carries. His 6.8-yard average helps explain why Iowa doesn't always need a big passing day. Hank Brown has thrown for 832 yards with five touchdowns and one interception, while Jeremy Hecklinski has added 410 passing yards and four scores. Tony Diaz leads the receivers with 329 yards. On defense, Cam Buffington has made 52 tackles, and Joseph Anderson has three sacks. Deshaun Lee has intercepted two passes. The Hawkeyes have been getting contributions from both sides.
Injuries: Hank Brown is questionable with a shoulder injury.
Minnesota Looking to Rebound
Minnesota's recent results have gone from encouraging to concerning in a hurry. The Gophers beat Washington 27-24 and Michigan 20-14, then went to Purdue and lost 41-13. Earlier, Mississippi State also scored 38 against Minnesota in a 38-13 defeat. The Gophers have shown they can win close conference games, but the two blowout losses stand out. Minnesota has gained 629 rushing yards in six games, averaging only 3.7 yards per attempt. That could make it difficult to match Iowa's ground attack.
Drake Lindsey has completed 127 of 196 passes for 1,335 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Javon Tracy has 375 receiving yards, with Noah Jennings close behind at 360. Jalen Smith has caught three touchdown passes. TJ Thomas leads the running game with 317 yards on 51 carries, while Darius Taylor has scored four rushing touchdowns despite averaging just 2.4 yards per attempt. Defensively, Maverick Baranowski has 45 tackles, and TJ Bush Jr. has four sacks. Minnesota needs a stronger showing than it got at Purdue.
Injuries: Ryan Estrada is out with a knee injury. B. Stevens, Z. Bates, Beckham Sunderland and A.J. Turner are questionable.
Key To The Game
Iowa averages 6.1 yards per carry, compared with Minnesota's 3.7. If the Hawkeyes establish their rushing attack, the Gophers will have trouble controlling the clock. Minnesota needs Lindsey to avoid turnovers and keep the Iowa defense from crowding the line.
Iowa vs Minnesota Game Pick
- Iowa Hawkeyes -7
Iowa bounced back from its Ohio State loss with 41 points against Washington, while Minnesota gave up 41 to Purdue. Moulton is averaging 6.8 yards per carry, and the Hawkeyes have multiple backs who can break off runs. Minnesota has struggled to get consistent rushing production of its own. The Gophers can keep games close, but Iowa has a clear edge on the ground and will cover the seven-point spread.
Iowa vs Minnesota Over/Under Pick
- Under 40.5
Iowa has played some low-scoring games, including wins of 16-13 over Iowa State and 20-19 over Michigan. Minnesota's offense scored just 13 points in losses to Purdue and Mississippi State. The Gophers have also relied on close, defensive games against Michigan and Washington. Iowa will run the ball and limit possessions, while Minnesota has trouble keeping up. This game will finish under the 40.5-point total on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.