RUTGERS +3 (-130) Buying it to 3 for some cushion
This is a classic spot where perception and pedigree are inflating the wrong side. Iowa’s defense is elite, no doubt—but their offense is stuck in neutral. Transfer QB Mark Gronowski has thrown for just 306 yards through three games, averaging a paltry 2.7 yards per carry. That’s not going to cut it against a Rutgers squad that’s quietly 3–0 and averaging 46.3 points per game.
Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis is dialed in—72.9% completion rate, 820 yards, 7 TDs, and zero picks. He’s got weapons, and the Scarlet Knights have a ground game too, with Antwan Raymond averaging 5.8 YPC and 5 TDs. This offense isn’t just explosive—it’s balanced.
Yes, Iowa’s defense ranks top-10 in yards allowed per play and per pass attempt, but they’re missing RB Xavier Williams and haven’t faced an offense this dynamic. Rutgers has covered 5 of their last 7 as a dog, and they’re at home under the lights with a chance to flip the narrative.
This line opened Iowa -2.5 and hasn’t budged much but a point in most books, despite heavy public lean on the Hawkeyes. That’s your signal. The market respects Rutgers, and so should we.
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