Coming off a road loss to Minnesota in which they turned the ball over four times, the Hawkeyes look to bounce back against the Badgers, and my Wisconsin vs. Iowa prediction targets Iowa (-3.5) to cover in a low-scoring Week 9 matchup.
Here are my latest college football picks ahead of this 12 p.m. ET kickoff (FOX) on Saturday, Oct. 31.
TOP PICK
Who will win Wisconsin vs Iowa: Iowa -3.5
It's hard to lay the -3.5 in a game where the total is sitting at 37.5. However, this is a home game for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and we all know Kinnick Stadium is one of the toughest places to come out alive, let alone with a win.
Iowa is coming off two straight road games, the latest being a 13-10 loss to Minnesota as a 7.5-point favorite. The Hawkeyes outgained Minnesota by nearly 80 yards, but turnovers proved to be their downfall. Iowa turned the ball over four times and still lost by just three points.
This week, the Hawkeyes should clean up those mistakes and be ready to take on a Wisconsin Badgers team coming off a big win over No. 16 USC.
I wouldn't play this any higher than the current number. I'd love -2.5, but -3 is definitely playable if you can get it.
COVERS INTEL: Iowa loves to speed the game up out of the gate, ranking 50th in seconds per play on its first three drives. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is 78 spots slower in that same category. If the Hawkeyes can capitalize on that early tempo and jump out to a lead, it would be huge, especially since Iowa ranks 80th in pace when leading in the second half.
Wisconsin vs Iowa Over/Under pick: Under 37.5
Neither team is allowing more than 16 points per game this season, and both rank top 20 in yards allowed per game. Despite Iowa getting off to a slightly faster start than Wisconsin, points should be at a premium in this matchup.
Iowa's defense should be able to force plenty of three-and-outs, ranking 20th in third-down defense while allowing opponents to convert just 32.95% of the time. Wisconsin leans more heavily on its run game, which will face an Iowa defense allowing just 2.5 yards per carry.
On the other side, Iowa has leaned more on its passing attack, which will face a Wisconsin defense ranked 30th in passing yards allowed per game.
This may not be your father's Big Ten anymore, but there should still be plenty of punts in this matchup. I wouldn't take this any lower than the current line.
Wisconsin vs Iowa combo
The Hawkeyes should come out swinging, build an early lead, and suffocate Wisconsin's offense. With both defenses boasting plenty of talent, this game could turn into an all-out rock fight from start to finish.
I'll combine Iowa -3.5, first-half -2.5, and the Under 37.5 for a fun 5.09x sweat!
Wisconsin vs Iowa combo
- Iowa -3.5
- Iowa first half -2.5
- Under 37.5
- 2026 picks: 68-49, +19.20 units
Wisconsin vs Iowa odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Wisconsin +3.5 | Iowa -3.5
- Over/Under: Over 37.5 (46%) | Under 37.5 (56%)
- Moneyline: Wisconsin 40% | Iowa 60%
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Wisconsin vs Iowa weather
Kickoff in Iowa City will bring a 35% chance of precipitation, with temperatures in the mid-50s that will gradually rise as the game progresses. Winds will be minimal at 6 mph, so they should not be a factor in this matchup.
Check out our college football weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.
Wisconsin vs Iowa trend to know
Iowa has covered the spread in 8 of its last 12 games (+3.60 units / 27% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for Wisconsin vs. Iowa.
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How to watch Wisconsin vs Iowa
| Location | Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Wisconsin vs Iowa latest injuries
Check out our college football injuries page for updates on every team.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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