Northern Iowa at Iowa - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Northern Iowa Panthers at Iowa Hawkeyes

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Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Kinnick Stadium - Iowa City, IA

 
Panthers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 7 - 31 (7 - 31 on Road)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
IOWA 3rd straight Home Game
Our Line: Iowa -19  (SP+ IOWA -20)

IOWA Win prob: 91% | Cover: 51%
Hawkeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (213 - 128)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (28 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#22)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
 
Northern Iowa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Northern Iowa at Iowa+19

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northern Iowa's Schedule
Iowa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Iowa vs Northern Illinois-35
Sat 9/12Iowa vs Iowa State-12
Sat 9/19Iowa vs Northern Iowa-40
Sat 9/26Iowa at Michigan+5
Sat 10/3Iowa vs Ohio State+10.5
Sat 10/10Iowa at Washington+7.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Iowa at Minnesota-8
Sat 10/31Iowa vs Wisconsin-19
Sat 11/7Iowa at Northwestern-11
Sat 11/14Iowa vs Purdue-22
Sat 11/21Iowa at Illinois-1
Fri 11/27Iowa vs Nebraska-13

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

Predictions for Iowa'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
UNI0%70%000%000%310%0%0000
IOWA#73 (.17)44% (45)29.348% (16)3.29 (15)17739% (97)1434.44 (20)#26 (.08)39% (29)16.141% (54)37% (25)3.34 (38)30.211.1
 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
UNI0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
IOWA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UNI Offense1770%00000000%0%0%0%0%
IOWA Defense1316.113.738.5%3.341.1 - - - - - 48%50%41%37%17%.08
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UNI Defense131310%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
IOWA Offense1329.328.344.5%4.441173201771434.660%38%48%39%11%.17

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
Northern Iowa10:000NAN%0%0000000100
Iowa1331:2717.543%67%330.211.14.81.9533.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
UNI Offense10%0%000000%0%0
IOWA Defense1348% (45)41% (54) - - - - .08 (53)2.92 (75)69% (50)10% (52)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
UNI Defense10%0% - - - - 00%0%0
IOWA Offense1360% (12)48% (16)38.8176.94.628 (23).19 (34)3.29 (15)81% (10)8% (32)0.9 (98)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UNI Offense10%0%000000000%0%0%0
IOWA Defense1350% (91)37% (25) - - - - - - 11 (38).16 (30)1.4 (8)29% (105)24% (10).22 (41)7% (32)2 (52)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UNI Defense10%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
IOWA Offense1338% (126)39% (97)13.822143.26.510.312 (128)8 (60).24 (71)1.5 (68)27% (15)26% (112).2 (110)3% (4)1.9 (92)

Northern Iowa's Power Ratings
Northern Iowa's Power Rating: NR
Northern Iowa's Offense Rating: NR
Northern Iowa's Defense Rating: NR
2026 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Northern Iowa's 2026 Expected Record: -
Northern Iowa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Northern Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Northern Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average MVFC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Iowa:    Iowa: 19.185

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Iowa:    Iowa: 19.7




Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 19.185  #26
Iowa's Offense Rating: 15.37  #49
Iowa's Defense Rating: 6.70  #19
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 17  #26
Iowa's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
Iowa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 19.7  #12
Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.1  #37
Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.2  #6

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Northern Iowa Scoring
Offense: 7 PPG
Offense on Road: 7
Defense: 31 PPG
Defense on Road: 31

Northern Iowa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Iowa 30
Northern Iowa 11


Projected Total Points: 41
Iowa Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.3
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.7

Iowa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201809/15Iowa38Northern Iowa14Iowa -21Iowa43.5Over
201408/30Iowa31Northern Iowa23Iowa -19Northern Iowa0
201209/15Iowa27Northern Iowa16
200909/05Iowa17Northern Iowa16
200509/17Iowa45Northern Iowa21
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Iowa511 Overs
Northern Iowa010 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 01 - 11 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 51 - 10 - 01 - 1

(#) UNI at (#26) IOWA
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUNIIOWA
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #26
SP+SP+NR #12
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTalNR #41
Blue ChipsBC%NR #26
Iowa Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Good, but desperate for decent Offense
(2/1) 64th (of 68) in P4 Returning Production. Rebuild?
(2/1) QB1? H. Brown vs J. Hecklinski (both '25 Portals)
(2/1) RB Moulton (RB1 LY) + Phillips (SD Portal, 1.8K)
(2/1) WR can James (Fur Portal) help? Big bodied depth
(2/1) OL 2 starters back but good depth w some exp
(2/1) DL 4 G5/FCS portal adds. V Green but has parts
(2/1) LB 1 back, good talented depth but unproven
(2/1) CBs are great, took 4 portals at S (3 starters)
Iowa Injury Report
Northern Iowa on Offense
CategoryCat
UNI OffIOWA Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #29
ExplosiveExpNR #8
PPAPPANR #26
PowerPwrNR #19
SP+SP+NR #6
Pts POPPONR #38
HavocHavNR #42
Northern Iowa Run Game
CategoryCat
UNI OffIOWA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #54
Run ExplRExpNR #33
PPAExpNR #53
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #75
Stuff RateStuffNR #71
TackleTak - NR
Northern Iowa Pass Game
CategoryCat
UNI OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #25
Pass ExplPExlNR #8
PPAExpNR #30
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #52
DB HavocDBNR #32
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCatIOWA OffUNI Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #45NR
ExplosiveExp #132NR
PPAPPA #73NR
PowerPwr #49NR
SP+SP+ #37NR
Pts POPPO #20NR
HavocHav #6NR
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffUNI Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #16NR
Run ExplRExp #98NR
PPAExp #34NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #15NR
Stuff RateStuff #15NR
TackleTak - NR
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCatIOWA OffUNI Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #97NR
Pass ExplPExl #68NR
PPAExp #71NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #32NR
DB HavocDB #4NR
Program Comparison
IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

UNI 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Kinnick Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
UNI's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Xavier Terrell (Tr)5416113.014
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Xavier Terrell (Tr)138916.832
Graham Friedrichsen98008.923

View Northern Iowa's Full Roster

UNI's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Ostroski21100
Xavier Terrell (Tr)10000
Joe Hall III10000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Ostroski21100
Xavier Terrell (Tr)10000
Joe Hall III10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Ostroski21100
Xavier Terrell (Tr)10000
Joe Hall III10000

IOWA's OC Tim Lester (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hank Brown112152%107115.1
Jeremy Hecklinski22100%8004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
L.J. Phillips Jr. (Tr)2811860196.667
Kamari Moulton17087855.234
Xavier Williams4928535.843
Nathan Mcneil3716904.624
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tony Diaz (Tr)678811113.175
Evan James (Tr)65796712.261
DJ Vonnahme29434315.051
Reece Vander Zee15219214.629

View Iowa's Full Roster

IOWA's DC Phil Parker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Jayden Montgomery441022
Deshaun Lee341006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lance Ingold (Tr)172220
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Kahmari Brown (Tr)31000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Deshaun Lee341006
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105