Iowa at Minnesota - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Iowa Hawkeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Huntington Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN  (Big Ten)

 
Hawkeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (213 - 128)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (30 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#22)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
IOWA coming off BYE
MINN coming off BYE
Our Line: Iowa -8  (SP+ IOWA -18)

Projected Score: IOWA: 27 - MINN: 19 (46)
IOWA Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
IOWA Travel: 244 miles
Golden Gophers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (66 - 44)
Avg Score : 23 - 23 (30 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.2 - 5.8 (#62)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
 
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
Minnesota's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Minnesota vs Eastern Illinois-30
Sat 9/12Minnesota vs Mississippi State-4.5
Sat 9/19Minnesota vs Akron-22
Sat 9/26Minnesota at Washington+17.5
Sat 10/3Minnesota vs Michigan+10.5
Sat 10/10Minnesota at Purdue-7
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Minnesota vs Iowa+8
Sat 10/31Minnesota at Indiana+26
Sat 11/7Minnesota vs UCLA-5.5
Sat 11/14Minnesota at Penn State+13.5
Sat 11/21Minnesota vs Northwestern-5.5
Sat 11/28Minnesota at Wisconsin-4

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 1, 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 Minnesota'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#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
MINN#94 (.13)40% (101)2339% (110)2.62 (123)10341% (77)1903.79 (60)#97 (.2)45% (113)22.943% (82)47% (124)3.84 (84)310.71.2
 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
IOWA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MINN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Offense1329.329.844.5%4.441173201771434.660%38%48%39%11%.17
MINN Defense1322.91345.2%3.841.2 - - - - - 46%53%43%47%18%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Defense1316.117.238.5%3.341.1 - - - - - 48%50%41%37%17%.08
MINN Offense132330.139.9%3.790.7172931031903.641%57%39%41%16%.13

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
Iowa1331:2717.543%67%330.211.14.81.9533.3
Minnesota1329:2317.140%43%3.8310.71.27.13230.7
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
IOWA Offense1360% (12)48% (16)38.8176.94.628 (23).19 (34)3.29 (15)81% (10)8% (32)0.9 (98)
MINN Defense1346% (19)43% (82) - - - - .14 (92)2.86 (63)73% (80)13% (6)0.98 (83)
 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 Defense1348% (45)41% (54) - - - - .08 (53)2.92 (75)69% (50)10% (52)0.89 (33)
MINN Offense1341% (126)39% (110)28.8103.53.615 (88).02 (116)2.62 (123)73% (61)9% (44)0.89 (105)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
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)
MINN Defense1353% (119)47% (124) - - - - - - 9 (38).25 (73)1.5 (35)30% (102)36% (129).42 (122)5% (122)2 (54)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Defense1350% (91)37% (25) - - - - - - 11 (38).16 (30)1.4 (8)29% (105)24% (10).22 (41)7% (32)2 (52)
MINN Offense1357% (11)41% (77)19.330.7189.96.29.819 (61)7 (34).22 (82)1.4 (121)33% (96)28% (94).2 (111)7% (114)1.8 (126)

Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 13.67  #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

Power Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 13.67   Minnesota: 8.895

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 19.7   Minnesota: 1.5




Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 8.895  #32
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 17.09  #37
Minnesota's Defense Rating: 10.80  #34
2026 Talent Rating: 1048.00  #9
Blue Chip Ratio: 12  #34
Minnesota's 2026 Expected Record: 6.2 - 5.8
Minnesota's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.5  #70
Minnesota's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.8  #94
Minnesota's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #33

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


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

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 27
Minnesota 19


Projected Total Points: 46
Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.1
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 13

Minnesota'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
202510/25Iowa41Minnesota3Iowa -7.5Iowa39.5Over
202409/21Minnesota14Iowa31Iowa -3Iowa34.5Over
202310/21Iowa10Minnesota12Iowa -3.0Minnesota30.5Under
202211/19Minnesota10Iowa13Minnesota -2Iowa31.5Under
202111/13Iowa27Minnesota22Iowa -4Iowa37.5Over
202011/13Minnesota7Iowa35Iowa -3Iowa58.0Under
201911/16Iowa23Minnesota19Iowa -3Iowa44.5Under
201810/06Minnesota31Iowa48Iowa -7Iowa41.5Over
201710/28Iowa17Minnesota10Iowa -7Push43.0Under
201610/08Minnesota7Iowa14Iowa -1.5Iowa50.0Under
201511/14Iowa40Minnesota35Iowa -11Minnesota47.0Over
201411/08Minnesota51Iowa14Minnesota -1Minnesota0
201309/28Minnesota7Iowa23Minnesota -3.5Iowa0
201209/29Iowa31Minnesota13
201110/29Minnesota22Iowa21
201011/27Minnesota27Iowa24
200911/21Iowa12Minnesota0
200811/22Minnesota0Iowa55
200711/10Iowa21Minnesota16
200611/18Minnesota34Iowa24
200511/19Iowa52Minnesota28
200411/13Minnesota27Iowa29
200311/15Iowa40Minnesota22
200211/16Minnesota21Iowa45
200111/17Iowa42Minnesota24
200011/17Minnesota27Iowa24
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Minnesota635 Overs
Iowa2096 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams16 - 104 - 84 - 40 - 4
Road Teams10 - 168 - 44 - 04 - 4

(#26) IOWA at (#32) MINN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatIOWAMINN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #26 #32
SP+SP+ #12 #70
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #41 #9
Blue ChipsBC% #26 #34
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
Minnesota Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Fleck good but stalling? DC Collins shaky
(2/4) QB Lindsey has been good not great. Some depth
(2/4) RB Taylor back, hopefully healthy. Good depth
(2/4) WR 3 portals needed, decent unit, needs #1
(2/4) OL big issue LY, 3 return. Vital this unit improves
(2/4) DT light on exp but lots of options. DE Smith great
(2/4) LB should be good w 2 big portal adds. Depth
(2/4) DBs hit by Perich loss, one good CB & S. Unclear
(2/4) LY Def collapsed & Off was awful. Big year coming
Minnesota Injury Report
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffMINN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #45 #113
ExplosiveExp #132 #74
PPAPPA #73 #97
PowerPwr #49 #34
SP+SP+ #37 #33
Pts POPPO #20 #84
HavocHav #6 #29
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffMINN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #16 #82
Run ExplRExp #98 #83
PPAExp #34 #92
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #15 #63
Stuff RateStuff #15 #55
TackleTak - NR
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffMINN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #97 #124
Pass ExplPExl #68 #35
PPAExp #71 #73
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #32 #6
DB HavocDB #4 #122
Minnesota on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffIOWA Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #101 #29
ExplosiveExp #99 #8
PPAPPA #94 #26
PowerPwr #37 #19
SP+SP+ #94 #6
Pts POPPO #60 #38
HavocHav #74 #42
Minnesota Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffIOWA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #110 #54
Run ExplRExp #105 #33
PPAExp #116 #53
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #123 #75
Stuff RateStuff #94 #71
TackleTak - NR
Minnesota Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #77 #25
Pass ExplPExl #121 #8
PPAExp #82 #30
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #52
DB HavocDB #114 #32
Program Comparison
MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Huntington Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Iowa beat Minnesota last year (41-3)
Iowa beat Minnesota in 2024 (31-14)
Minnesota beat Iowa in 2023 (12-10)

  
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

MINN's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drake Lindsey24638963%23821866.1
Michael Merdinger (Tr)214151%350108.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Darius Taylor14367044.771
TJ Thomas Jr. (Tr)9138464.244
Grant Washington2113206.316
Zion Steptoe (Tr)76509.332
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Tracy37454612.345
Jalen Smith28419415.078
Noah Jennings (Tr)23323014.036
Zion Steptoe (Tr)21272013.042

View Minnesota's Full Roster

MINN's DC Danny Collins (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Baranowski1029331
Andrew Marshall (Tr)614130
Kerry Brown564003
John Nestor506006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Smith38181373
Karter Menz329742
T.J. Bush3911541
Jaxon Howard296410
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Nestor506006
Kerry Brown564003
Anthony Smith38181373