The Iowa Hawkeyes are in a strange place. They enter the weekend with a full game lead in the Big Ten West at 7-2 overall with a #22 ranking in the latest College Football Playoff ranks. And yet there is very little optimism for this team given the lackluster offense we’ve seen for years.
The folks in Vegas are right in line with fan sentiment. Our friends over at DraftKings Sportsbook opened this one with Iowa favored by just 1.5 points despite playing at home. That has slipped down to just 1 point as of Friday morning. Similarly, the over/under opened at a historically low 29 total points but has dipped to an absurd 28 point throughout the week.
Here at The Pants, we’re equally pessimistic and as usual, we are betting the under. Always.
On average, we’re calling for Rutgers to defeat the Hawkeyes 12 to 11. That’s quite the contrast from pre-season when not a single staffer predicted Iowa to lose this one (it’s OK for us though, not a single fan respondent in our preseason poll picked it either). At 12-11, we are FIRMLY on the under (duh) and taking Rutgers on the moneyline cuz we don’t need no stinking points.
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Ugh, it’s such a sad state of affairs and quite the contrast from men’s and women’s hoops.
Here’s a look at our individual predictions for this week.
JPinIC
I keep thinking that at some point the offense is going to accidentally do something better. There was a nice stretch in the middle of the season where we saw a real, live running game that truly made me hopeful they could be something the rest of the way. When they bowed their back and just ran the ball down Wisconsin’s throat, I thought they would be able to simply do that the rest of the way and that would set Deacon Hill up to be just successful enough.
I was wrong. But the defense continues to be better and better each week and this despite not creating turnovers at a rate we have become accustomed to. I think that reverses course this week and Phil’s group sets the offense up again with multiple short fields off of turnovers while keeping the Scarlet Knights out of the endzone.
Prediction: Iowa 13, Rutgers 9
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Bartt Pierce
Where do we even begin when talking about this storied matchup? Actually, the only memory I have is former Rutgers’ punter Adam Korsak getting a lot of love from the Kinnick crowd. Nowhere else in America do fans cheer wildly for punters. This game may break a record for punt yardage. I know nothing about Rutgers. I know our defense and special teams are salty. I also know our offense is not going to put up many (any) points. Iowa football is sometimes painful to watch, but I say we all try to embrace our imperfectly perfect team. Go Hawks!
Prediction: Iowa 13 – Rutgers 6
Glendale Hawk
Two great defenses, two bad offenses, deja vu. Rutgers’ offense is bad, but not as bad as ours and they ran the ball for 200+ yards against a really good OSU defense last week. Phil Parker and his crew are doing everything they can to keep this team afloat, but I’m not sure that they’ve got enough gas in the tank to get to the Indy at the rate they’re going.
Gavin Wimsatt is the wildcard here, if the Iowa front 7 can bottle up Kyle Monangai and put the game on his shoulders they’ve got a pretty good shot at winning this game, but this is the best rushing attack they’ve seen this year and Wimsatt is the kind of mobile QB that has given Phil’s defenses fits over the years. As much as it pains me, I think my dad’s alma mater pulls this one off in a defensive slugfest that puts a lot of Sicko dollars in sportsbook pockets. No one will be happier than me if I’m wrong.
Prediction: Iowa 13 – Rutgers 17
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GingerHawk
Every time this Iowa team wins I want to buy in. Sure, the offense is as dynamic as an overturned Winnebago that’s on fire, but they’ve had some success when given opportunities by the defense and special teams. If the defense is playing its A game there aren’t many offenses that I’d worry about. Meanwhile, it’s a bit sad how encouraged I can be by a 23-yard completion to Kaleb Brown with under two minutes to play in a game. It’s possible guys, a downfield passing game IS possible!
Rutgers’ offense isn’t particularly scary but the defense is going to have to play well against Monangai and Wimsatt. The Rutgers rushing attack and mobile quarterback topped 200 yards against Ohio State so the threat is real. For some reason this one jumps out to me as a loss. Iowa hasn’t been getting the turnovers that have sustained it in prior years but have largely gotten away with it so far. I fear that catches up with them on Saturday.
Prediction: Rutgers 13, Iowa 9
MattReisener
It’s tough to justify picking against Iowa in a home game against an opponent with no recent history of success in big games (or really any games, for that matter) and a one-dimensional offense. However, at least Rutgers HAS an offense to speak of thanks to an excellent rushing attack. Expect Phil Parker to come up with a solution to slowing Rutgers’ ground game down, but the Scarlet Knights should be able to move the ball enough against Iowa to get on the board, especially if the Hawkeye offense gifts their opponent with excellent field position. Rutgers may not be able to score many points, but with their strong defense and Iowa’s slow-motion trainwreck of an offense, they may not have to.
Prediction: Rutgers 13, Iowa 10
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mattcabel
Notttt feeling good about this one. This team barely beat a scrappy but awful Northwestern team. Turns out, not being able to move the ball on offense isn’t great!
Prediction: Rutgers 13, Iowa 6
SirNicholas33
I’m pretty much in-line with Matt on this. I’m just not feeling it for Iowa this week. Rutgers still isn’t there, and there are some trends working in Iowa’s favor against Big Ten East teams that aren’t the Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State triumvirate. And Rutgers has lost to everyone on their schedule that is in the average or above category.
But there is the Iowa offense to contend with. There’s nothing more to say about this abomination of an offense other than it will (again) cost Iowa a game they should win, and it will toss the Big Ten West back into chaos.
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Oh and bet the under. You knew that already.
Prediction: Rutgers 13, Iowa 10
So that’s how we see things playing out this week. How about you, Hawkeye fans? Let us know your score predictions in the comments below.
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
University of Northern Iowa posted a signature win over Nebraska Sunday at the McLeod Center. Iowa City High claimed Zimmerman Invitational title. Clear Creek Amana boys’, Vinton-Shellsburg girls’ earn runner-up finishes in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.
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UNI SHUCKS THE CORNHUSKERS
The 10 th-ranked Panthers earned a marquee victory, defeating No. 4 Nebraska Sunday at the McLeod Center. UNI came up one point shy of knocking off the Cornhuskers last season, but this time they left no doubt in their 24-9 triumph, winning seven of 10 bouts.
“They’re really a good team,” UNI Coach Doug Schwab said in the post-dual interview. “That’s a good win for our program. Feel like things have been building and that’s just evidence for everybody we’re building and where we’re going as a program.”
It was UNI’s first win over Nebraska since 1991, tying in 2000 when current Nebraska Coach Mark Manning was the Panthers’ head coach.
“That’s a long time,” Schwab said. “I didn’t know. None of these guys were alive.”
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The Panthers had a little fun with the history lesson. They were quick for a quip on the streak-snapping win.
“That’s on Doug,” 157-pounder Ryder Downey said to extract laughs during the news conference.
“That was my parents’ wedding,” said NCAA champion Parker Keckeisen, who had a crucial pin at 184.
Everything seemed to go UNI’s way. Well, the Panthers imposed their will to force things into their favor. They nearly won all of the key toss-up matches and converted key moves, like Trever Anderson’s takedown at 125, a seven-point cradle from Cael Happel at 141, the third-period comeback from Wyatt Voelker at 197, heavyweight Lance Runyon’s reversals, Keckeisen’s pin and overtime takedowns from Downey and 165-pounder Jack Thomsen.
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Schwab noted the performances represented the grit, heart and fight of the program and how the wrestlers trust the preparation for competition.”
“As close as the matches were, we found a way to win a whole bunch of them,” Schwab said. “I think that makes it a whole lot of fun.”
UNI’s Trever Anderson celebrates after a win over Nebraska’s No. 5 Caleb Smith at 125 pounds in the Panthers’ 24-9 win Jan. 5, 2025 at McLeod Center, Cedar Falls. (Photo courtesy of Nic Ryder)
Anderson, Happel, Downey and Keckeisen scored wins over highly-ranked foes. Anderson beat No. 5 Caleb Smith, 5-2, with a second-period takedown. Anderson said he takes pride in providing a spark to ignite the rest of the lineup. He lit the powder keg Sunday.
“It’s my job to go out and start it off,” said Anderson, who was third at the Soldier Salute. “I go out and do that just rolls, like a snowball. It just keeps going.
“I think it’s a job that’s under emphasized … I think it helps the other guys.”
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Happel, ranked No. 8, extended his win streak over No. 5 Brock Hardy. He trailed 4-0 in the second when he locked up a cradle for a takedown and four nearfall, fending off a late takedown attempt for a 7-5 decision.
In a battle of top-five wrestlers who met for the second time in a month, No. 5 Downey scored a takedown in sudden victory-1 to beat No. 3 Antrell Taylor, 5-2. The win avenged a loss at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in December.
Schwab said he isn’t surprised Downey has ascended the ranks and capable of wins over top-tier wrestlers.
“He puts a tremendous amount of time into his craft,” Schwab said. “He works his tail off every day.”
Keckeisen helped set the nail in the Cornhuskers’ coffin that Voelker hammered shut. Keckeisen led 4-1 in the second when he cinched up a cradle for his second takedown and flattened unbeaten and fifth-ranked Silas Allred for a pin in 3:38. Keckeisen was asked if he was looking for a cradle.
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“No,” Keckeisen said. “I was just thinking wrestling.”
UNI improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12 Conference. The Panthers have notable dual wins over South Dakota State, Missouri and now Nebraska. They next step is to have the same effort for each dual.
“You’ve seen indications of our team being able to do that,” Schwab said. “I told our team if we’re going to go from a good team to a great team we have to do that in competition and we have to be consistent with it.”
IOWA CITY HIGH WINS ZIMMERMAN INVITE
Iowa City High started 2025 with success. The Little Hawks scored 234.5 points, beating runner-up Iowa City Liberty by 62, for the team title at Maquoketa’s Zimmerman Invitational.
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Kendall Kurtz (120), Chase Williams (126) and 190-pounder Blaine Heick each won titles for City High. Kurtz and Williams won each of their matches with bonus points. Kurtz tallied three technical falls, outscoring foes, 57-11. Williams had a pin and two major decisions.
Laith Alawneh (150), Marshall Sheldon (165), Mason Tilley at 175, Raphael Etuma (215) and heavyweight Shaaban Naim all placed second for City High, which wrestle at Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Thursday.
CLEAR CREEK AMANA RUNNER-UP AT VALLEY DUALS
Clear Creek Amana finished second at the West Des Moines Valley Duals on Saturday. The Clippers went 3-1 with victories over Muscatine (71-7), Ankeny Centennial (40-35) and Dallas Center-Grimes (43-33). Indianola went 4-0 to win the team title, topping CCA 41-29.
Iowa City West went 2-2 at the tournament, tying for third.
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VINTON-SHELLSBURG GIRLS’ PLACE 2ND
Vinton-Shellsburg finished second at the Denver Invitational on Saturday. Waverly-Shell Rock scored 198.5 points, 33.5 ahead of the Vikings.
Chloe Sanders at 140 and Sadie Burke (170) won championships for V-S. The Vikings’ Ellie Weets (115) and Camden Erhardt (130) posted runner-up honors.
LATE HEROICS FOR INDEPENDENCE
Independence received a pin from 190-pounder Braylen Bieber in the final match against Western Dubuque for a 39-33 dual victory Saturday.
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The teams split the 14 weight classes, but Independence won all by bonus points. Western Dubuque stormed back with three straight wins to tie the dual before the final match. Bieber capped the win with a 2:20 pin over David Theisen.
The Mustangs are ranked No. 6 in Class 2A, while the Bobcats are No. 14 in 3A.
Following the conclusion of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2024 season, star offense tackle Mason Richman recently shared a heartfelt message to the Iowa community.
The Hawkeyes’ former cornerstone left tackle expressed his gratitude towards the program in an Instagram post last week.
Richman, a former three-star recruit out of Stilwell, KS, did not receive many D1 offers out of high school. However, he briefly discussed his journey to Iowa in the post, claiming that he was the “easiest recruiting job ever.”
“I was the easiest recruiting job ever. 11 Days from camp to commit. No money. Sure as heck no guarantees on playing time or living situation or any wack stuff. In fact if anything it was disincentive to put on knee braces and 60 pounds over 3ish years. But heck for a free education, I’d do it again.”
– Mason Richman via Instagram
After redshirting his freshman year in 2020, Richman became a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes at the left tackle position. Over the course of his career at Iowa, the former three-star developed into a core piece of the offense, as he was named honorable mention All-Big ten by league coaches and media in 2023.
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This year, he became one of the best offensive lineman in the country. Richman finished the 2024 season with a PFF run blocking grade of 81.4 while allowing two sacks in 743 total snaps.
Richman ended the post by stating his love for Iowa and everyone in the Hawkeyes’ program.
“I love this place and everything that it and god have given to me. I can say honestly and positively that I would rather struggle and fight with these brothers and this team than to go out scared. God Bless and Thank you for reading.”
Utah Utes (8-5, 0-2 Big 12) at Iowa State Cyclones (12-1, 3-0 Big 12)
Ames, Iowa; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: No. 3 Iowa State is looking to extend its nine-game win streak with a victory over Utah.
The Cyclones have gone 8-0 at home. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 in team defense, allowing 65.0 points while holding opponents to 40.9% shooting.
The Utes have gone 0-2 against Big 12 opponents. Utah has a 3-5 record against opponents above .500.
Iowa State scores 86.6 points, 16.7 more per game than the 69.9 Utah allows. Utah scores 17.7 more points per game (82.7) than Iowa State gives up (65.0).
The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Joshua Jefferson is averaging 11.2 points, eight rebounds and 1.9 steals for the Cyclones.
Gabe Madsen is shooting 36.9% from beyond the arc with 3.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Utes, while averaging 16.5 points.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cyclones: 9-1, averaging 87.4 points, 33.6 rebounds, 17.2 assists, 9.9 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.3 points per game.
Utes: 5-5, averaging 78.1 points, 35.5 rebounds, 19.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.2 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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