Sat, Oct 18 2025
·
Week 8
·
🏟 Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, IA
·
Turf
·
70,585 cap
Penn State✈ 713 mi-1 hr TZ
Matchup Prediction
Penn State
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
Penn State entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Penn State wins
Lean
Game Control
58.3%
Penn State wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
Iowa -3.5
O/U 41.5
ESPN Bet
Advanced Stats
Advanced factors are split · No strong agreement signal
↓ See full breakdown
Penn State 2025 Schedule
Penn State's 2025 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/30 | Penn State vs Nevada | -45.5W46–11 | 58.5 | W46–11 | U | N |
| Sat 9/6 | Penn State vs Florida International | -42.0W34–0 | 53.5 | W34–0 | U | N |
| Sat 9/13 | Penn State vs Villanova | -46.5W52–6 | 57.5 | W52–6 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/27 | Penn State vs Oregon | -4.5L24–30 | 52.5 | L24–30 | O | N |
| Sat 10/4 | Penn State at UCLA | -24.5L37–42 | 48.5 | L37–42 | O | N |
| Sat 10/11 | Penn State vs Northwestern | -20.5L21–22 | 46.5 | L21–22 | U | N |
| Sat 10/18 | Penn State at Iowa | +3.5L24–25 | 41.5 | L24–25 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/1 | Penn State at Ohio State | +17.5L14–38 | 45.5 | L14–38 | O | N |
| Sat 11/8 | Penn State vs Indiana | +13.5L24–27 | 50.5 | L24–27 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/15 | Penn State at Michigan State | -7.0W28–10 | 48.5 | W28–10 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/22 | Penn State vs Nebraska | -7.5W37–10 | 45.5 | W37–10 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/29 | Penn State at Rutgers | -14.5W40–36 | 55.5 | W40–36 | O | N |
| Sat 12/27 | Penn State vs Clemson | +2.5W22–10 | 47.5 | W22–10 | U | Y |
Iowa 2025 Schedule
Iowa's 2025 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/30 | Iowa vs UAlbany | -39.5W34–7 | 48.5 | W34–7 | U | N |
| Sat 9/6 | Iowa at Iowa State | +3.0L13–16 | 43.0 | L13–16 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/13 | Iowa vs Massachusetts | -35.5W47–7 | 44.5 | W47–7 | O | Y |
| Fri 9/19 | Iowa at Rutgers | -2.5W38–28 | 46.5 | W38–28 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/27 | Iowa vs Indiana | +9.5L15–20 | 47.5 | L15–20 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/11 | Iowa at Wisconsin | -5.5W37–0 | 37.5 | W37–0 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/18 | Iowa vs Penn State | -3.5W25–24 | 41.5 | W25–24 | O | N |
| Sat 10/25 | Iowa vs Minnesota | -7.5W41–3 | 39.5 | W41–3 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/8 | Iowa vs Oregon | +4.5L16–18 | 41.5 | L16–18 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/15 | Iowa at USC | +6.5L21–26 | 48.5 | L21–26 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/22 | Iowa vs Michigan State | -17.5W20–17 | 43.0 | W20–17 | U | N |
| Fri 11/28 | Iowa at Nebraska | -5.5W40–16 | 38.5 | W40–16 | O | Y |
| Wed 12/31 | Iowa vs Vanderbilt | +3.0W34–27 | 47.5 | W34–27 | O | Y |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2025 season
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season ·
Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences
Who builds scoring momentum?
Penn State Edge
Penn State +0.60
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 5 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
Penn State Edge
Penn State +5.4
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.3% of games historically
Based on 6 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
Iowa
2 — 0 sequences
✗ Predicted incorrectly
GC Battle
Penn State
24.1 — 48.6 GC score
✓ Predicted correctly
Game Result
Iowa won by 1
✗ Model missed it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on Penn State. Teams with this edge profile have covered 50.3% historically — essentially a coin flip against the spread.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Penn State
James Franklin #1
99–41 (71%)
· Yr 12 at school
OC
Andy Kotelnicki
Yr 2
#1
DC
Jim Knowles
Yr 1
#1
Iowa
Kirk Ferentz #1
204–123 (62%)
· Yr 27 at school
OC
Tim Lester
Yr 2
#1
DC
Phil Parker
Yr 3
#1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓