- Matchup: NIU Huskies vs Iowa Hawkeyes
- Event Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
- Broadcast: BTN
- Betting Odds: Hawkeyes favored by 31.5 points
- Game Total: 45.5 points
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The NIU Huskies (3-9 last season) are set to compete at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026, aiming to take down the Iowa Hawkeyes (9-4 last year). Iowa enters the game as 31.5-point favorites according to the latest Vegas lines. The total points line is set at 45.5.
The Huskies concluded their previous season with a disappointing 3-9 record. In their last matchup against the Kent State Golden Flashes, they faced a narrow defeat, finishing 35-31. During that game, the Huskies executed 68 plays totaling 334 yards. They showcased a strong ground game with 58 rushing attempts, yielding 307 yards (5.3 yards per carry). Defensively, NIU struggled, allowing 231 rushing yards on 36 carries (6.4 yards per carry). In the passing game, they conceded 11 completions on 22 attempts for a total of 207 yards, resulting in a completion percentage of 50.0%.
Defensively, the Huskies ranked 64th in Division 1 in opponent scoring, allowing 24.3 points per game. They conceded 4.6 yards per carry and 183.3 rushing yards per contest, accumulating a total of 2,200 rushing yards allowed throughout the season. Through the air, they yielded 2,087 passing yards, ranking them 5th in D-1 with an average of 173.9 yards per game, and allowed a 59.5% completion rate. Overall, they surrendered 357.3 yards per game, placing them 56th in college football, with 11 touchdown passes and 22 rushing touchdowns allowed.
The Iowa Hawkeyes ended their season with a successful 9-4 record. Their last game resulted in a 34-27 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores, where Iowa finished with 379 yards on 59 plays (6.4 yards per play). They excelled on the ground, achieving 4.5 yards per carry with a total of 167 rushing yards on 37 carries. Iowa’s defense limited opponents to 22 rushing attempts for just 51 yards (2.3 yards per carry), while their pass defense allowed a completion rate of 65.8%, giving up 347 yards on 25 completions out of 38 attempts.
In terms of offensive production, the Hawkeyes ranked 54th nationally, scoring an average of 29.3 points per game. Iowa managed to average 320.1 yards per game, standing at 119th in D-1. Their offense incurred 391 yards in penalties, ranking 135th in terms of aiding opponents. They threw 8 interceptions and fumbled 5 times, while achieving 228 first downs. The Hawkeyes recorded 1,862 passing yards, averaging 143.2 passing yards per game, and ran for a total of 2,300 yards with a rushing average of 176.9 yards per game.
Iowa’s defense allowed a total of 1,400 rushing yards (107.7 yards per game) and 12 rushing touchdowns. They also gave up 9 passing touchdowns and an average of 172.7 yards per game through the air, ranking 10th in Division 1. Overall, they conceded 209 points, with 3 fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions. The defense was active for 777 plays, good for 13th in the college football rankings, and allowed an average of just 16.1 points per game, placing them 8th nationally.
Who will emerge victorious in this highly anticipated Huskies vs. Hawkeyes contest against the spread?
My Prediction: Opt for the Hawkeyes -31.5
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