Now that Iowa‘s nonconference season is in the rearview, the Hawkeyes (2-1) jump into Big Ten play with a conference opener from SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J., against Rutgers (3-0).
With games against Albany, Iowa State and UMass in the books, ESPN’s analytics have a more concrete idea on who and what this 2025 Hawkeye team might be.
As Big Ten play arrives in earnest, how does ESPN’s matchup predictor see the 2025 Big Ten season shaking out for the Hawkeyes?
Here’s a look at ESPN’s matchup predictor forecast for Iowa entering the Hawkeyes’ Big Ten opener:
Sept. 19 at Rutgers
Iowa opens Big Ten play this Friday, Sept. 19 at Rutgers. The Hawkeyes are familiar with Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who Kirk Ferentz recruited before the Scarlet Knights‘ signal-caller eventually signed with Minnesota before transferring to Rutgers.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Rutgers 57.0%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 0-1
Sept. 27 vs. No. 17 Indiana
Iowa’s second Big Ten date is its Homecoming contest against another talented Indiana squad under second-year head coach Curt Cignetti. UCLA transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the Hoosiers’ new starting quarterback in 2025.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Indiana 68.5%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 0-2
Oct. 11 at Wisconsin
Iowa’s second Trophy Game of 2025 sends the Hawkeyes back on the road and off to Camp Randall Stadium. Though Wisconsin was handled by Alabama earlier this season and is coming off a 5-7 finish in 2024, ESPN analytics are still leaning Bucky for now.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: 50.3% Wisconsin
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 0-3
Oct. 18 vs. No. 2 Penn State
Iowa’s Oct. 18 date against the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions is a date Hawkeye fans have had circled since the schedule was unveiled. It’s a chance for a marquee home victory over a Penn State squad that’s thought to be a Big Ten and national title contender with quarterback Drew Allar and star running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton back in the fold.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Penn State 77.0%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 0-4
Oct. 25 vs. Minnesota
At long last, a Trophy Game is projected to go right. Iowa will be seeking some Kinnick Stadium revenge from two years ago when Cooper DeJean’s late-game punt return touchdown was infamously negated after an invalid fair catch signal was ruled.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Iowa 66.8%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 1-4
Nov. 8 vs. No. 5 Oregon
Iowa gets a chance to catch its breath with a bye week before welcoming in one of the other perceived best teams on its schedule in 2025. With first-year starting quarterback Dante Moore, the Ducks look like they’ll be right back in the thick of the Big Ten race.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Oregon 84.4%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 1-5
Nov. 15 at USC
Iowa’s West Coast road trip in 2024 netted one of the more disappointing performances when the Hawkeyes fell 20-17 to a UCLA squad that ended its season with a 5-7 record. The Hawkeyes will hope to fare better against a USC squad that is off to a 3-0 (1-0 Big Ten) start with quarterback Jayden Maiava.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: 89.4%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 1-6
Nov. 22 vs. Michigan State
Iowa closes its home slate with a Nov. 22 Senior Day date against Michigan State. The Spartans are another foe that Iowa should have circled on their calendar after a frustrating, flat performance that led to a 32-20 loss in East Lansing in 2024.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Iowa 75.1%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 2-6
Nov. 28 at Nebraska
Iowa closes its 2025 campaign with its annual Black Friday contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Can the Hawkeyes foil Matt Rhule and Nebraska once again? For now, ESPN likes Dylan Raiola and Nebraska to exact their revenge for Iowa’s 2024 heroics.
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Nebraska 76.9%
Iowa’s Projected Big Ten Record: 2-7
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN matchup predictor forecasts Iowa football Big Ten record
