Iowa Hawkeyes Odds

Iowa Hawkeyes 2025 Season Preview

If you follow college football even casually, you already know what Iowa is about: ferocious defense, rock-solid special teams, and an offense that, let’s be honest, usually just tries not to lose the game.

Last season? Same recipe. Despite ranking outside the top 100 nationally in scoring, Iowa finished 8-5 overall, 6-3 in Big Ten play, and made yet another bowl appearance under head coach Kirk Ferentz, who’s now in his 26th year running the show.

They came up just short in the 2024 Music City Bowl, losing 27-24 to Missouri. But the Hawkeyes were tough all year, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where they allowed fewer than 18 points per game.

So what’s the outlook in 2025? A lot depends on whether new offensive coordinator Tim Lester can unlock anything close to a competent passing game. The defense won’t be the problem. And if the offense becomes even slightly average, Iowa could absolutely hang with the top half of the Big Ten.

The market agrees. The Hawkeyes currently rank No. 25 in our college football betting power ratings, with a power rating of 85.7. They sit just behind Ole Miss (85.8) and ahead of Florida (85.4). That puts them in striking distance of the contenders, but definitely still in that sleeper tier.

Here’s how to bet on Iowa football this year, plus a few things you’ll want to know.

Betting on Iowa

There are several ways to bet on Iowa football this season, including game-to-game markets such as moneylines, point spreads and totals (the over/under). 

For live lines and movement, check out our college football odds page.

Betting Iowa Moneylines

Since 2013, Iowa is 90–39 straight up. That’s also what you'd be tracking if you had blindly bet them on the moneyline every week. And for what it’s worth, if you had done that? You’d be up more than $2,600 over the past decade.

Here’s how a hypothetical moneyline might look:

• Iowa: -150
• Illinois: +130

Iowa is the favorite here. You’d need to bet $150 to win $100 in profit. A $100 bet on Illinois would return $130 in profit if they pull the upset.

Moneylines are straightforward. Just pick the winner. And when Iowa plays teams like Minnesota, Purdue or Nebraska, they’re usually priced right in this range.

For more live moneyline odds, check the latest prices on our odds page.

Betting Iowa Point Spreads

Most bettors go with the spread instead of the moneyline. It’s the great equalizer, and with Iowa, spreads tend to be tight because of how low-scoring their games are.

Here’s an example:

• Iowa -6.5 (-110)
• Minnesota +6.5 (-110)

In this case, Iowa needs to win by 7 or more to cover. If you bet $110, you’d win $100 profit. On the flip side, if Minnesota wins the game or loses by 6 or fewer, they cover.

Even elite teams don’t cover the spread every week. And Iowa? Let’s just say their games are usually close, ugly and stressful if you’re holding a ticket. That said, they’ve been a profitable spread team in past seasons, and they’re tough at home.

If you’re unsure how to price a certain matchup, our odds calculator can help break it down. If you’re still confused, I suggest reading up on how to use American odds.

Betting Iowa Totals

Over/unders (aka totals) are a bet on how many total points both teams will score. And if there’s one thing you can count on with Iowa football, it’s weirdly low totals.

Take this real-life example from 2023:

• Iowa vs. Nebraska: Total 25.5
• Over 25.5 (-110)
• Under 25.5 (-110)

The game ended 13-10. That’s 23 points, meaning the under cashed easily.

In fact, most Iowa games last season had totals in the 30s. If Tim Lester makes even small improvements to the offense, you might start seeing some totals climb back into the 40s, but don’t count on shootouts.

The under has been a favorite among sharp bettors for years. And until Iowa proves they can move the ball consistently, that trend’s probably not going away.

Iowa Player Props & More

Player props depend on where you live, because not every state allows college player betting. But if props are available, you’ll see things like:

• Passing yards for QB
• Rushing yards for RB
• Anytime touchdown scorers

In 2025, look out for props involving Kaleb Johnson (if healthy) and Mark Gronowski, the transfer QB expected to start. Johnson racked up over 1,000 yards and 21 touchdowns last year and could be a key piece in Lester’s revamped scheme.

If props aren’t available in your state, PrizePicks is a popular alternative with DFS-style picks (Daily Fantasy Sports) on player stats.