Iowa at Vanderbilt - 2025 Matchup Preview
Iowa logo (#23)Iowa Hawkeyes vs Vanderbilt Commodores(#14)Vanderbilt logo
Wednesday, December 31st 2025 (12:00 PM EST)
Vanderbilt -3 (47.5) (-170)  Open: -4.0 | 49.5
Iowa 34 - Vanderbilt: 27  (ReliaQuest Bowl)

 
Hawkeyes (9 - 4) (9 - 3 - 1)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (204 - 123)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (30 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.4 - 4.6 (#50)
Wins: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 4)
Losses: (Elite: 3) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Bowl Game Opt Outs
Our Line: Vanderbilt -4  (SP+ VAN -3)

Projected Score: IOWA: 24 - VAN: 28 (52)
VAN Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
IOWA Travel: 458 miles
Commodores (10 - 3) (10 - 3 - 0)
Coach Clark Lea (16 - 33)
Avg Score : 39 - 23 (44 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.6 - 2.4 (#15)
Wins: (Elite: 1) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 2) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
 
Iowa's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Iowa vs UAlbany-39.548.5W 34 - 7UN
Sat 9/6 Iowa at Iowa State+3.043.0L 13 - 16UY
Sat 9/13 Iowa vs Massachusetts-35.544.5W 47 - 7OY
Fri 9/19 Iowa at Rutgers-2.546.5W 38 - 28OY
Sat 9/27 Iowa vs Indiana+9.547.5L 15 - 20UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Iowa at Wisconsin-5.537.5W 37 - 0UY
Sat 10/18 Iowa vs Penn State-3.541.5W 25 - 24ON
Sat 10/25 Iowa vs Minnesota-7.539.5W 41 - 3OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Iowa vs Oregon+4.541.5L 16 - 18UY
Sat 11/15 Iowa at USC+6.548.5L 21 - 26UY
Sat 11/22 Iowa vs Michigan State-17.543.0W 20 - 17UN
Fri 11/28 Iowa at Nebraska-5.538.5W 40 - 16OY
Wed 12/31 Iowa vs Vanderbilt+3.047.5W 34 - 27OY

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 2, Bad: 3, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 3, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Iowa's Schedule
Vanderbilt's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Vanderbilt vs Charleston Southern-37.549.5W 45 - 3UY
Sat 9/6 Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech+2.546.5W 44 - 20OY
Sat 9/13 Vanderbilt at South Carolina+3.048.5W 31 - 7UY
Sat 9/20 Vanderbilt vs Georgia State-27.553.5W 70 - 21OY
Sat 9/27 Vanderbilt vs Utah State-23.557.5W 55 - 35ON
Sat 10/4 Vanderbilt at Alabama+13.558.5L 14 - 30UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Vanderbilt vs LSU-1.548.5W 31 - 24OY
Sat 10/25 Vanderbilt vs Missouri-3.052.5W 17 - 10UY
Sat 11/1 Vanderbilt at Texas+3.548.5L 31 - 34OY
Sat 11/8 Vanderbilt vs Auburn-6.046.5W 45 - 38OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Vanderbilt vs Kentucky-7.053.5W 45 - 17OY
Sat 11/29 Vanderbilt at Tennessee+2.066.5W 45 - 24OY
Wed 12/31 Vanderbilt vs Iowa-3.047.5L 27 - 34ON

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg: 1, Bad: 2, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Vanderbilt's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
IOWA#76 (.16)44% (47)29.349% (15)3.41 (7)16438% (107)1274.39 (25)#19 (.06)39% (35)16.141% (58)38% (32)3.27 (35)26.10.91.1
VAN#1 (.46)53% (1)38.551% (9)3.35 (11)17257% (2)2615.06 (1)#95 (.2)41% (63)22.840% (47)43% (77)3.8 (80)55.60.91.1
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
IOWA#100 (.14)42% (72)44% (63)2.92 (89)18540% (94)1213.77 (84)#30 (.11)42% (72)46% (97)39% (51)3.37 (27)26.30.81.8
VAN#76 (.17)42% (75)42% (93)2.8 (105)12943% (53)1664.25 (34)#111 (.25)47% (121)46% (96)48% (125)4.22 (109)48.30.51.1



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Offense1329.329.844.4%4.390.9162911641274.660%38%49%38%11%.16
VAN Defense1322.821.141.3%3.81.1 - - - - - 43%55%40%43%17%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Defense1316.117.238.9%3.271.1 - - - - - 50%48%41%38%17%.06
VAN Offense1338.54453.5%5.060.9224331722615.948%50%51%57%13%.46

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Iowa1328:581643%67%2.626.10.91.14.41.6533
Vanderbilt1329:1022.553%59%6.155.60.91.15.82.2130.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
IOWA Offense1360% (12)49% (15)35.9164.14.626 (23).2 (29)3.41 (7)83% (5)8% (32)0.87 (112)
VAN Defense1343% (6)40% (47) - - - - .04 (29)2.74 (40)73% (80)11% (20)0.89 (33)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
IOWA Defense1350% (63)41% (58) - - - - .07 (51)2.87 (68)69% (51)10% (49)0.87 (23)
VAN Offense1348% (77)51% (9)29.21725.934 (4).36 (1)3.35 (11)76% (38)8% (29)1.21 (2)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Offense1338% (126)38% (107)12.620.3126.86.310.110 (128)7 (60).19 (100)1.5 (92)26% (13)25% (120).13 (126)3% (4)1.8 (120)
VAN Defense1355% (131)43% (77) - - - - - - 7 (75).33 (104)1.5 (60)34% (26)30% (72).34 (96)6% (68)2 (63)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Defense1348% (67)38% (32) - - - - - - 11 (38).14 (23)1.3 (4)29% (112)23% (5).17 (19)7% (31)1.9 (47)
VAN Offense1350% (58)57% (2)19.527.8260.69.413.328 (22)8 (34).58 (2)1.5 (83)26% (9)51% (1).8 (1)5% (25)2 (78)

Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 18.78  #20
Iowa's Offense Rating: 14.86  #41
Iowa's Defense Rating: -3.92  #20
2025 Talent Rating: 840.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 14%  #33
Iowa's 2025 Expected Record: 8.4 - 4.6
Iowa's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 17.5  #15
Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.2  #48
Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.3  #7

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 18.78   Vanderbilt: 22.18

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 17.5   Vanderbilt: 20.9




Vanderbilt's Power Ratings
Vanderbilt's Power Rating: 22.18  #12
Vanderbilt's Offense Rating: 30.58  #2
Vanderbilt's Defense Rating: 7.12  #62
2025 Talent Rating: 822.00  #47
Blue Chip Ratio: 6  #49
Vanderbilt's 2025 Expected Record: 10.6 - 2.4
Vanderbilt's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 20.9  #11
Vanderbilt's Offense SP+ Rating: 41.1  #4
Vanderbilt's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #32

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Iowa Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.8
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 17.2

Iowa's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 9 - 3 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record on Road: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 0 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 4 - 0 - 1
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Vanderbilt 28
Iowa 24


Total Points: 52

Based on Last 4 Games
Vanderbilt 32
Iowa 28

Total Points: 59

Based on Entire Season
Vanderbilt 29
Iowa 26

Total Points: 55
Vanderbilt Scoring
Offense: 38.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 44
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 21.1

Vanderbilt's 2025 Record
Record: 10 - 3
Record vs Spread: 10 - 3 - 0
Over/Under Record: 9 - 4
Record at home: 7 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 6 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 6 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202512/31Vanderbilt27Iowa34Vanderbilt -3Iowa47.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Vanderbilt001 Overs
Iowa110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams1 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0

Iowa Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Reliaquest Bowl Iowa vs Vanderbilt+3.047.5W 34 - 27
2024City Bowl Iowa vs Missouri+1.041.0L 24 - 27
2023Citrus Bowl Iowa vs Tennessee+4.537.0L 0 - 35
2022City Bowl Iowa vs Kentucky-3.031.5W 21 - 0
2021Citrus Bowl Iowa vs Kentucky+3.043.5L 17 - 20
2019Holiday Bowl Iowa vs USC+1.554.5W 49 - 24
Vanderbilt Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Reliaquest Bowl Vanderbilt vs Iowa-3.047.5L 27 - 34
2024Birmingham Bowl Vanderbilt vs Georgia Tech+3.049.0W 35 - 27
  
(#20) IOWA at (#12) VAN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatIOWAVAN
Power RatePwr #20 #12
SP+SP+ #15 #11
Perf GradeGrade #9 #27
OffenseOff #8 #25
DefenseDef #18 #56
Spec TeamsST #8 #19
TalentTal #41 #47
Blue ChipsBC% #33 #49
Iowa Notes
(11/28) Killed Neb to finish 8-4, 6-3 in B1G. Good season
(11/22) Stop L streak with comeback vs MSU. Found a way
(11/16) 2 hard L's to Ducks/USC. 6-4 feels crossroad-ish
(10/27) 41 pts on < 300 yds vs Minn. Def was incredible
(10/22) Least penalized team in CFB, both for & against
(10/19) Tired Off, beat PSU by 1 w/ backup QB. Def good
(10/8) QB Gronowski trending towards playing vs Wisc
(9/29) Off awful vs IU, sub 300 yds. Run Def great, Off bad
(9/29) Lost 11 straight vs ranked opps thru IU game
(9/19) QB Gronowski limited but improving. WR suck
(9/19) If refs call Def holding these CB's are cooked
(9/10) Starting TE Ostrenga out for the season
Iowa Injury Report
Vanderbilt Notes
(11/30) Outrushed Tenn 314-83. Incredible season, CFP worthy
(11/28) HC Lea extended w/ new 6 year deal
(10/18) Ran all over LUS (239, 5.3 pyc). Pavia a dawg
(10/7) Hoping books sleep on Vandy after Bama L, good team
(9/30) Off Success is #1 in CFB into Bama game (5 games)
(9/21) Pavia incredible, Dores hot start. Run Off great
(9/21) Vandy is serious. Killing teams, mauling Rush Off
(5/26) Off should improve w/ better OL, more exp
(5/26) HC Lea's new building plan working
(5/15) OL bad LY, 1/5 back. 7 portal adds, 3 starters
(5/15) DL added 6 portals, both lines big focus TY
(5/15) LBs are core of D, exp'd & very productive
Vanderbilt Injury Report
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffVAN Def
Perf GradePerf #8 #56
SuccessSuc #47 #63
ExplosiveExp #133 #90
PPAPPA #76 #95
PowerPwr #41 #62
SP+SP+ #48 #32
Pts POPPO #25 #80
HavocHav #6 #35
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffVAN Def
Run GameRun #30 #66
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #47
Run ExplRExp #112 #33
PPAExp #29 #29
Run BlockR Blk #1 -
OL YdsOLY #7 #40
Stuff RateStuff #7 #40
TackleTak -  #104
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffVAN Def
Pass GamePass #56 #56
Pass SuccessPSuc #107 #77
Pass ExplPExl #92 #60
PPAExp #100 #104
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #4 #62
F7 HavocF7 #32 #20
DB HavocDB #4 #68
Vanderbilt on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatVAN OffIOWA Def
Perf GradePerf #25 #18
SuccessSuc #1 #35
ExplosiveExp #14 #3
PPAPPA #1 #19
PowerPwr #2 #20
SP+SP+ #4 #7
Pts POPPO #1 #35
HavocHav #22 #44
Vanderbilt Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
VAN OffIOWA Def
Run GameRun #15 #62
Run SuccessRSuc #9 #58
Run ExplRExp #2 #23
PPAExp #1 #51
Run BlockR Blk #90 -
OL YdsOLY #11 #68
Stuff RateStuff #29 #69
TackleTak -  #92
Vanderbilt Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCatVAN OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePass #4 #24
Pass SuccessPSuc #2 #32
Pass ExplPExl #83 #4
PPAExp #2 #23
Pass Block/RushP Blk #129 #7
F7 HavocF7 #29 #49
DB HavocDB #25 #31
Program Comparison
VAN 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Up to CFP Hopefuls

IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'25 Profile: Up to CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Raymond James Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 54°
Rematch from Week 1
Vanderbilt -3.0 (47.5)
Iowa won at Vanderbilt this year (34-27)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
IOWA's OC Tim Lester (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Mark Gronowski (Tr)15024063%1529866.4
Hank Brown (Tr)112152%107115.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kamari Moulton15678345.034
Mark Gronowski (Tr)120491154.167
Jaziun Patterson5729905.217
Xavier Williams4426035.943
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
DJ Vonnahme22288213.143
Sam Phillips (Tr)16261016.345
Jacob Gill22260111.844
Reece Vander Zee11186116.929

View Iowa's Full Roster

IOWA's DC Phil Parker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Karson Sharar7810251
Xavier Nwankpa691010
Koen Entringer694013
Zach Lutmer686106
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Max Llewellyn239675
Ethan Hurkett339620
Aaron Graves367531
Karson Sharar7810251
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
TJ Hall390008
Zach Lutmer686106
Deshaun Lee341006

VAN's OC Tim Beck (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Diego Pavia24234071%31922789.4
Blaze Berlowitz91753%131107.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Diego Pavia15282695.441
Sedrick Alexander103563115.565
Makhilyn Young4440769.380
Jamezell Lassiter9143215.948
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Eli Stowers61765412.567
Tre Richardson (Tr)41683616.771
Junior Sherrill46661714.440
Richie Hoskins26305311.753

View Vanderbilt's Full Roster

VAN's DC Steve Gregory (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryan Longwell679142
C.J. Heard (Tr)644253
Langston Patterson611030
Randon Fontenette487056
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Miles Capers359531
Zaylin Wood265461
Nicholas Rinaldi427491
Khordae Sydnor299483
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Randon Fontenette487056
Khordae Sydnor299483
C.J. Heard (Tr)644253