Free NCAAF Pick: Golden Gophers vs. Hawkeyes Odds
Looking for Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Free NCAA Week 9 picks & NCAA odds? NCAAF betting sees the Golden Gophers taking on the Hawkeyes on 10/25 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NCAA football matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NCAAF predictions like this Golden Gophers Hawkeyes free pick.
2025 NCAAF Handicapping – Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa Hawkeyes
(5-2) Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2)
Date: Oct 25, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Venue: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa, IA
NCAAF Moneyline Odds: Golden Gophers +258 | Hawkeyes -327 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NCAAF Spread Betting Odds: Golden Gophers +8.5 | Hawkeyes -8.5
NCAAF Football Gambling Total: O/U: 38.5
Here’s why I’m backing the bet below in my Minnesota Iowa free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
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Golden Gophers vs. Hawkeyes Gameday
Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium brings us a classic Big Ten slugfest — the Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in Week 9. Both programs enter at 5-2, and both know this one could be the difference between a mid-tier bowl and a conference title shot.
Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM ET on CBS.
Minnesota has been unbeatable at home (5-0) but can’t seem to figure things out on the road (0-2). Their latest effort was a 24-6 win over Nebraska, a game dominated by defense and clock control. But heading into Kinnick, that 0-2 road mark looms large.
Meanwhile, Iowa’s doing what Iowa does — winning ugly and making life miserable for opponents. The Hawkeyes are 3-1 at home and just edged Penn State 25-24 in a gritty comeback.
With back-to-back wins over Wisconsin and the Nittany Lions, they’ve built real momentum entering this rivalry clash.
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It’s Week 9 — Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes — and the stakes couldn’t be higher in this classic Big Ten trench battle.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Odds & Last 5
The oddsmakers like Iowa in this one. The Hawkeyes are listed at -339 on the moneyline, while Minnesota sits at +267. The spread is Iowa -8.5, and the total is a low 39.5 — a number that screams “Big Ten football in late October.”
Minnesota’s recent road history doesn’t inspire much confidence. Their last trip away from home ended in a 42-3 drubbing at the hands of Ohio State.
However, they’ve tightened things up since then with wins over Purdue and Nebraska.
Iowa’s home dominance remains intact. The Hawkeyes took down Penn State 25-24 last week and blanked Wisconsin 37-0 before that.
History’s also on their side — Iowa’s won four of the last five matchups, including a 31-14 rout in 2024.
We want to hear from you below! Comments are welcome! Give us your picks for this Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAF matchup.
Hawkeyes Stats
Iowa continues to win with old-school fundamentals: defense, special teams, and patience. They’ve scored 209 points (41st nationally) while leaning heavily on a ground game that ranks 34th with 1,355 rushing yards.
Their passing attack, though, ranks just 126th with 920 yards — pure Kirk Ferentz football.
Defensively, Iowa is rock solid. They’ve allowed only 102 points (50th), recorded 13 sacks (16th), and forced eight turnovers — six interceptions (7th) and two fumble recoveries (8th).
Quarterback Mark Gronowski has managed the offense with 811 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Hawkeyes’ offensive heartbeat, however, is RB Kamari Moulton, who leads the team with 360 rushing yards and two TDs.
Kicker Drew Stevens has been clutch, knocking through 14 field goals to keep Iowa in close games.
Golden Gophers Stats
Minnesota’s offense has been inconsistent but effective when it counts. They’ve scored 188 points (52nd) and rank 77th in passing (1,524 yards). The rushing attack, once a staple of their identity, has dipped to 98th (863 yards).
Defensively, though, the Gophers shine. They rank 6th in sacks (23) and fumbles recovered (4) and 7th in interceptions (6). That front seven has been relentless, giving them a chance in every game.
Minnesota enters this matchup riding back-to-back wins, including a dominant 24-6 effort over Nebraska.
But injuries may test their depth — A.J. Turner and Mo Omonode are out for the year, and starters like Jeff Roberson and Cristian Driver remain questionable.
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Golden Gophers vs. Hawkeyes QB Matchup
Iowa’s Mark Gronowski has been serviceable but unspectacular. Through seven games, he’s thrown for 811 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions.
His backup, Hank Brown, has chipped in with 107 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey brings more pop to the position. He’s thrown for 1,437 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just three interceptions across seven games — quietly efficient and dangerous off play-action.
Backup Max Shikenjanski adds depth, throwing for 80 yards and a touchdown in limited snaps.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes bottom line: Expect a low-scoring, physical game — the kind that chews clock and tests patience. Iowa’s defense and home-field edge should make the difference.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Football Betting Trends
- Minnesota is 4-1 against the spread as an underdog in their last 5.
- Also, the total has gone over in 12 of Minnesota’s last 20 away games.
- After a win, Minnesota is 20-10 straight up in their last 30.
- Iowa is 25-5 straight up as a favorite in their last 30 games.
- Additionally, the total has gone under in 10 of Iowa’s last 12 games with totals of 42 or less.
- Iowa is 8-1 straight up in their last 9 home games.
Golden Gophers Hawkeyes Free Pick: Minnesota +8.5
Here is my Golden Gophers Hawkeyes free pick. Minnesota has quietly been one of the better underdog bets in the Big Ten lately, covering the spread in 4 of their last 5 when getting points.
They’ve also proven they can sustain momentum after wins, going 20-10 straight up in their last 30 — a stat that shows mental toughness and preparation.
Meanwhile, Iowa continues to be dominant when favored straight up, posting a 25-5 record in their last 30 games in that role. Still, when the total is as low as 39.5, it becomes difficult for a methodical team like the Hawkeyes to create enough separation to comfortably cover a touchdown spread.
Their defense might shine, but the offense rarely blows teams out.
Furthermore, Minnesota’s physical style and ability to grind out possessions tend to keep games tight. They slow tempo, limit turnovers, and force opponents to earn every yard — the exact formula needed to hang within the number in a low-scoring battle.
Considering the trends and total, backing Minnesota +8.5 looks like the smart, value-driven play against an Iowa team that wins but rarely wins big.
Expect an old-school Big Ten grinder — field goals, long drives, and clock control — that keeps the Gophers well within the spread by game’s end.
Today’s NCAAF Free Pick
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NCAAF Betting Tweet Of The Day
Saturday Night Fever. pic.twitter.com/xZGIM8ka3v
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 20, 2025
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